Oregon POINT

The Oregon POINT (Public Oregon Intercity Transit) is a four-route, intercity bus service of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The service is administered by ODOT's Rail & Public Transit Division as part of its intercity grant program.[1] The POINT service exists to connect towns and rural communities with major transportation hubs and urban centers. ODOT accomplishes this by filling gaps in Oregon's long distance transit network where no public services exist and which would otherwise be unprofitable for private companies.

Oregon POINT
ParentOregon Department of Transportation
Commenced operationApril 2009 (April 2009)
Service areaOregon
Service typeIntercity bus
Routes4
OperatorMTR Western, Pacific Crest Bus Lines, Klamath Shuttle
Websiteoregon-point.com

The service functions like a thruway bus service for Amtrak in that it makes direct connections to passenger rail service and sells tickets using Amtrak's system. However, Amtrak does not own or contract POINT buses and the service is open to the general public, not just Amtrak train passengers. The POINT program is similar to the Travel Washington buses in neighboring Washington.

History

ODOT began investing heavily in intercity bus services in 1994.[2] The decline in Greyhound service in Oregon in the late 1990s led to a rise in local private operators.[3] Over time, to better meet the travel needs of Oregonians and draw more ridership, ODOT created the POINT program through "a mixture of new service, expanded service and service re-branding that relies on public-private partnerships with private bus operators."[2]

The service is operated by private bus companies under contract to ODOT.[4] MTR Western operates the Cascade route,[5] Northwest Navigator operates the NorthWest route,[6] Pacific Crest Bus Lines operates the Eastern POINT route,[7] while the SouthWest route is operated by Klamath Shuttle.[8]

In 2019, the former High Desert POINT route was discontinued and is now operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines as an Amtrak Thruway service from Redmond to Chemult.[9]

Map of POINT bus routes, November 2019

Routes
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References
  1. "Intercity/Transit Network". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  2. "Expanded intercity bus service connects Oregon communities" (Press release). Oregon Department of Transportation. April 19, 2012. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  3. Smith, Quinton (January 23, 2011). "Oregon's rural, intercity bus lines offer a hassle-free, affordable option for getting around". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  4. "POINT [Home page]". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  5. "Cascades POINT: About". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  6. "Northwest POINT: About". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  7. "Eastern POINT: About". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  8. "SouthWestPOINT: About". Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  9. "Oregon POINT Facebook page". Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  10. Foden-Vencil, Kristian (March 18, 2010). "New Bus Route To Connect Portland And Seaside". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  11. Fattig, Paul (April 15, 2009). "New bus system links Medford with coast". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
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