reedmaniac.com

Link. Bend is looking at quite a budget shortfall this year and is likely to make about $20 million in cuts. One of those services that will likely get a cut is the BAT. For a very young and still vulnerable transit system, this seems like a possible disastrous move. The way to make a stable, long term transit system that will surely benefit the entire community for years to come is not to reduce hours and making bus stops less inviting. Using the BAT nearly every week day while living in Bend, I can see that it is definitely being used. As gas prices rise, I really believe that if the community could support it for a couple years it will become an invaluable part of the Bend infrastructure.