08/18/09 Bend

Created in Sept. 2006 in response to the growing need for public transportation in the city, Bend Area Transit (BAT) is set to surpass one million boardings in less than three years. In anticipation of the event, the City is counting down the milestone with a special "BAT Boardings Counter" on its website:  http://www.ci.bend.or.us

The counter will be updated daily until the one million mark is reached. Next month, the rider who reaches the landmark boarding will be honored.

In 2006, the City Council voted to more efficiently use existing resources to supplement the existing Dial-a-Ride service and improve the number of rides and options available to Bend visitors and residents. With the same budget, seven fixed routes were established to serve the city.

Prior to BAT, Bend's on-demand public transportation program delivered just over 100,000 rides annually. Today, BAT provides more than 360,000 rides annually and promotes health, employment, tourism, the local economy, and helps the environment.

Please join us in celebrating a major milestone as BAT reaches one million boardings in less than three years.

We ask if you ever ride BAT and why or why not?