Oregon transit providers have a story to tell. Actually, they have thousands of stories.

They take people to and from work, get students to school on time and assist older adults, persons with disabilities and veterans make it to doctor appointments, sometimes in cities away from where they live.

Transit providers help urban riders get to Trail Blazer games and rural riders to reach shopping centers in the next town. They make it affordable to commute from Gresham to downtown Portland or from Hermiston to Umatilla. They make college campuses more accessible for students in cities throughout the state. They enable older adults to connect with families and friends to avoid isolation.

And that’s just their day job.

When emergencies occur, transit providers jump in to evacuate people from approaching wildfires and distribute food during the pandemic. They help riders attend events and celebrate special occasions. Riders regard their bus drivers and dispatchers as heroes. The men and women who relentlessly scrubbed and disinfected transit vehicles during the pandemic were literally lifesavers.

Transit providers are innovators. They make it easier for rural residents to travel between communities, not just to the local market or clinic. Providers on the Oregon Coast and in the Columbia River Gorge are supporting tourism. Riders can see schedules, buy tickets and plan trips online. Technology lets riders know when buses will arrive at their stop.

Transit providers are in the fight to combat climate change. They are investing in hybrid and electric vehicles that will cut carbon emissions. They monitor their routes for efficiency and maximum ridership. They work with developers and businesses to provide service that doesn’t require driving a car.

Transit providers promote equity. With free or reduced fares, they make ridership more affordable and accessible. With frequent route reviews, they look for underserved communities and provide enhanced service.

But the biggest story of all is transit providers are just teams of people devoted to improved mobility – for young people, workers, shoppers, older adults, disabled persons, visitors or just about anyone willing to hop on a bus. Transit workers routinely receive love letters from riders, explaining how the service they receive is critical to the quality of their lives.

We created this website to share stories about transit providers in all corners of Oregon. Each story is interesting in its own right. Together, the stories paint a clear picture – transit moves people, not just on the road, but also in the heart.