Getting Around

Several weeks ago we hosted staff from the Salem-Keizer Transit district, one of whom, by the way, is my mother. Our mutual goal is to increase ridership from Salem to Grand Ronde, the bus route having begun more than a year ago. The numbers have been below expectations, meaning unless things pick up, we could have to cut back on the service.
I have sat on the Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation since my first year on Council. It was one of those appointments nobody would ever volunteer for, so rookie Council members are next in line I guess. I also sit on the Yamhill County Transportation Authority board, which like SKATS started a new route from McMinnville to Grand Ronde. Oddly, it is one of our busiest, if not the busiest, routes. Considering we have more casino and governmental employees from Salem than McMinnville, all I can say is go figure. Of course, the YCTA line runs through Sheridan and Willamina, which might offer some explanation.
Public transportation is hard to figure out. I've seen places where it thrives, like in Europe or in Eugene where I went to college at the University of Oregon. But it has also been non-existent in and around Grand Ronde until now, so maybe the idea of being able to catch a bus from the front of our Governance Center to downtown Salem might be slightly daunting. Seeing a gleaming shiny Salem bus in a predominantly rural community just takes some getting used to.
So just what are we going to do to get people to buy in? Well, we can promote it. Find an event in Salem where everybody on Council who attends can hop on the bus. The downtown bus center is on the same block as the Marion County Commissioners offices, where MWACT meetings are held. It is also two blocks from the Capital, for when we have meetings with the governor. Our state lobbyist's office, where we've held many a meeting over the years, is just across the street.
We can also develop a Tribal policy making allowances for employees choosing to use the bus, as the bus schedule doesn't match up with our usual office hours. Could SKATS offer discounts to Tribal employees or community members? Maybe.
I would hate to see this bus route fail. It is a good example of how the Tribe can partner with local governments and companies. Plus many of our housing residents don't have cars. That is why adding sidewalks to Grand Ronde Rd. was so important.
Like a lot of things, it comes down to awareness I'll wager. Let people know they have options, and invariable they'll opt to use them.