Transportation Completed Plans and Projects

• Transit Workforce Report_Final
• Transit Workforce Study Presentation

Transit Workforce Study, Benton, Lane, Linn and Marion Counties - 2024

In our community, buses are a vital part of daily life. They help people get to work, school, and other important places. However, many of our buses are facing a serious problem: there aren’t enough drivers to keep them running smoothly. To tackle this issue, the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) partnered with the University of Oregon to study why this is happening and what we can do to fix it. The results were published in the Transit Workforce Study, which is designed to help local transit systems overcome these challenges.

Why Is There a Shortage of Bus Drivers?

The study found that the shortage of bus drivers isn’t just a problem locally —it's happening across the entire country. Here are some key reasons why:

• High Costs of Becoming a Driver: To drive a bus, you need a special license called a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Getting this license is expensive, and not everyone can afford it.
• Low Awareness of Transit Careers: Many people don’t know that driving a bus can be a good, steady job with benefits. This lack of awareness means fewer people are applying for these positions.
• Hiring Challenges: The process to apply for and get a job as a bus driver can be long and frustrating. This discourages people from completing their applications.
• Negative Perceptions: Some people think that driving a bus is a hard, thankless job, especially with the challenges of dealing with difficult passengers.

How Can We Fix This?

Based on these findings, OCWCOG has proposed a few solutions to help bring more people into the transit workforce:

• Improve access to CDLs: Private trainers, public colleges and universities, workforce development programs, and transit agencies should collaborate to identify opportunities to expand access to CDL licensing programs. Decreasing barriers to CDL licensing can look like many things, including expanding the number of training centers, or lowering the cost of licensing through scholarships, stipends or subsidies.

• Job Promotion: Transit agencies should invest in more physical advertising at the places people interact with transit, such as on buses and at transit stations. They should also sharpen their online presence by posting to online job boards and by designing up easy to navigate, mobile-friendly hiring pages. Agencies should also participate at in-person career fairs. Most of all, center the voices of current operators, and have them tell the story of why working in transit is a rewarding public service opportunity.
• Improving the Hiring Process: Simplifying and speeding up the hiring process will help more people get through it and start working sooner. This can involve doing interviews first to identify promising candidates, and being in constant contact with the applicant up until the job is offered.
• Driver Retention: It is important that the needs of current and prospective bus drivers are listened to so that they don’t leave for another career. Drivers need additional support to deal with the challenges of the job, especially those that have arisen since the pandemic. The study talked to drivers and found that they want more training in customer service, conflict resolution, and more hands-on learning opportunities by shadowing their coworkers on their routes. Drivers also want more control over their schedule, with the ability to choose consistent hours that work with their schedules, and regular opportunities to take their mandatory breaks.

How You Can Help

The transit workforce shortage affects everyone who relies on buses to get around. By spreading the word about these opportunities and supporting efforts to make bus driving a more appealing job, you can help make sure our buses keep running smoothly. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a bus driver or supporting the workforce, now is the perfect time to get involved.

If your organization is interested in supporting our local transit providers, please reach out to OCWCOG to discuss how we can solve this workforce issue through collaborative partnerships.

Together, we can overcome these challenges and ensure that our community stays connected. Whether it’s through considering a career in transit, sharing this information with others, or supporting local initiatives, everyone has a role to play in solving this problem. Let’s work together to keep our buses moving!

View the study here: Transit Workforce Report

Human Services Coordinated Plans for Benton, Linn, and Lincoln Counties

• Benton County Coordinated Plan and Appendices
• Linn County Coordinated Plan and Appendices
• Lincoln County Coordinated Plan and Appendices

Federal transit law requires that projects selected to receive funding under the Enhanced Mobility for Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) Program are “included in a locally developed, coordinated public-transit human services transportation plan.” The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires recipients of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) to engage in a coordinated planning process. Projects submitted for Section 5310 funds and STIF funding must be included in a Coordinated Plan, which is updated every five years.

As the regional administrator of local, state, and federal grants for Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties, the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) worked with each of the counties to update the 2017 Coordinated Plans. The purpose of the Coordinated Plan is to establish and support partnerships between public transportation providers and health and human service agencies to ensure that the transportation system meets the needs of its users. Targeted populations include older adults, people with disabilities, people with low-incomes, veterans, and youth/students.

Plan Development

The development of the Coordinated Plans began in March 2022. Stakeholder outreach was conducted from May to August 2022 to understand transportation needs of the region. Engagement activities include:

• Project Advisory Committee meetings
• Stakeholder Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Online Provider Surveys

Plan Structure

The plans consist of the following elements:

• A demographic profile and employment characteristics of the county;
• An inventory of existing transportation services;
• A description of transportation funding sources;
• An assessment of transportation needs; and
• A comprehensive list of strategies and actions to address identified local and regional transportation needs and service gaps.

Implementation of the strategies and actions presented will require coordination between OCWCOG, health and human services agencies, transit providers, and with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI), who work closely with many regional entities.

These Coordinated Plans are designed to guide transportation investments and policy recommendations for the next five years. While facilitator organizations will be responsible for championing the implementation of these strategies and actions, support from partner organizations, and community members will be essential for the continued success of this planning effort.

OCWCOG received a 2019-2021 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIF) Discretionary Grant to provide a “Seamless” experience to public transit riders within Lincoln, Benton and Linn County. The first phase of the project developed the Cascades West Training Center, which provides monthly education on defensive driving, CPR and passenger assistance. The second phase involved three parts in an overall effort to make taking the bus an easier travel solution. The first task created a centralized website for all eight transit agencies in the three counties to share route and schedule information. The second task procured GPS equipment for all buses within the region, to help passengers know real time arrival information for their trip. Finally, the third task procured a mobile ticketing system for agencies that desired an electronic way for riders to purchase tickets.

All of this information, and more, is available on our new website, Cascades West Ride, or www.CWRide.org

Phase I Implementation

Transportation Training Center

Project Stakeholders

• Albany Transit
• Linn-Benton Loop
• Benton County Transit
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
• Corvallis Transit
• Linn Shuttle
• Lincoln County Transit
• LINX (Lebanon)
• Northwest Oregon Transit Alliance (NWOTA)
• Oregon State University

Workplan and Schedule

Project Workplan

• September 25 2020 Meeting Agenda Packet
• March 19 2020 Meeting Agenda Packet
• February 03 2020 Meeting Agenda Packet
• October 18 2019 Meeting Agenda Packet

Resources

• Seamless Transit Project Grant Application
• Oregon Department of Transportation Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund

April 2021 Update: OCWCOG is pleased to report the 99W report laid the foundation for Benton and Yamhill Counties to apply for a pilot project to operate transit along 99W, and the project is being recommended for funding.

The Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) received a Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) grant in 2019 to assess the need for increased access to public transportation along the Highway 99W (Hwy 99W) corridor, from Junction City to McMinnville Currently there is infrequent service along sections of the corridor, and no or very limited service to some of the rural communities.

Demand Assessment data was collected through a community online survey, community leader interviews, and existing transit provider interviews:

• The online survey was disseminated through existing contacts from the Technical Advisory Committee, organizations throughout the corridor and posted as a Facebook advertisement throughout the region. The survey was open April 7 through September 14, 2020 and there were 447 respondents to the survey.
• Community leader Interviews were conducted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adjust from in-person focus groups to a socially distant research method. The purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of community transportation needs and community demand for transit. Community leaders were asked to speak to their impressions of community needs and patterns and were not expected to represent all experiences or opinions. 18 interviews were conducted from local and private community services such as public libraries, nonprofits and schools.
• Existing transit providers were interviewed to understand existing transit demand and potential need for transit expansion along Highway 99W. Phone and in-person Interviews were conducted using a standardized interview guide. 15 interviews were conducted from the following agencies: Lane Transit District, Oregon Department of Transportation, Lane Council of Governments, Benton County Transit, Corvallis Transit, Cherriots (SAMTD), Yamhill County Transit Authority, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, and MTR Western.

Four route alternatives were determined based on the study’s demand factors and key findings. Demand is assessed on transit need and level of interest from the local communities as well as factors that affect service for vulnerable populations, potential transit service options, frequency, practical route scheduling, and operational cost. The study found that transit is largely feasible along the corridor, and it depends on the level of investment local agencies are willing to make, as rural transit requires higher subsidies than urban transit. For the complete report and to see the four proposed route alternatives, click HERE.

The South Fork Road Corridor Plan provides a variety of infrastructure suggestions to improve safety and functionality on South Fork Road while preserving the road’s rural character and the surrounding natural environment. Benton County and the Bureau of Land Management may choose to implement any of the suggested improvements as funding becomes available. The Corridor Plan was funded through a Federal Lands Access Program planning grant.

The Corvallis and Albany Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are two separate yet inextricably linked regions tied together by employment and residential development. However due to Oregon state land use regulations, the MPOs cannot address one of the biggest travel issues in the region—commuting between the two MPOs. With varying home prices and employment expansion, more than 10,000 people travel between the communities daily primarily in single occupancy vehicles. This project evaluated the regional multimodal connections on multiple scales to help local cities and counties plan across jurisdictions.

We evaluated pedestrian and bicycle networks on network completeness, network quality, and access to community destinations. While the historic core of both major cities in the MPO region are higher in completeness and quality, the edges of the MPO boundary and intercity connections are poor or non-existent. Additionally, while there are plenty of jobs and community destinations within the two MPOs, reaching them via low stress bicycle routes or connected sidewalks is challenging. Finally, if the fiscally constrained projects in both MPOs regional transportation plan were constructed, the network would be more complete.

Multi-Modal Network Connectivity Final Report

OCWCOG’s Regional Park and Ride Plan (Plan) supports and advances Transportation Demand Management (TDM) in the Linn, Benton, and Lincoln County Region, and fosters a multi-modal transportation system, connecting communities, and local/regional transit.

View the Plan HERE.

Multiple local transportation planning documents throughout the OCWCOG Region have identified the need for additional park and ride sites to serve commuters and visitors. The Plan outlines a regional strategy for developing new lots to support a comprehensive park and ride system that serves travelers from our diverse and dispersed communities.

The Plan provides an overview of park and ride programs, and covers the existing conditions of the current park and ride lots in the Region. Survey results and stakeholder feedback provided a list of suggested locations for new lots and desired amenities. Implementation steps are suggested through a list of prioritization criteria, design guidance, and example processes from neighboring regions. Recommendations for park and ride program management is also provided, including data collection, public outreach, and marketing.

If you are interested in finding transportation options including, transit, carpool, or vanpool, visit the Get There Oregon website to connect to the Statewide trip planner and ridesharing database.

OCWCOG received a grant to learn how to further involve older adults and people with disabilities in Lincoln County in transportation planning. Granted by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), OCWCOG staff conducted an online and paper survey. The survey asked a number of questions related to how engaged older adults and people with disabilities are currently, and how engaged they want to be, in transportation planning.

The end result was a report which includes best practices to share with government officials on how to include typically under-represented populations through transportation planning and construction projects. Please click HERE to view the report.

Spring 2018 – The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced the recognition of Marys Peak to Pacific as a Scenic Byway, along with two other scenic byways, bringing the State’s total to 29. The Scenic Byway designation is an outcome of years of planning, community outreach, and research along the whole corridor and involving design, natural resource protection, economic development, safety, and community standards.

OCWCOG, working closely with a broad group of partners, assisted in the designation of State Highway 34 as the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway, connecting I-5 near Tangent to the Coast in Waldport. Our Linn, Benton, Lincoln County Region now boasts three Scenic Byways, as the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway joins the Over the Rivers and Through the Woods Byway, together crossing from the Cascades to the Coast, and the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway that runs from Washington to California through Lincoln County. Utilizing these Byways takes travelers through the heart of our forests and trails; through wine, food, and spirits country; through our innovation corridor; through our working landscapes; and to the beautiful and economically powerful Oregon Coast.

Moving forward, OCWCOG will be working with the ODOT and Travel Oregon on marketing and future route enhancements for the Region’s new Scenic Byway.

• Marys Peak to Pacific Corridor Management Plan
• Marys Peak to Pacific Presentation
• ODOT Press Release