CET is working collaboratively with stakeholders and project partners to design and pilot a 2023 summer transit service called the Cascades Lakes Summer Shuttle that will operate between Bend, Mt. Bachelor and Elk Lake. A FLAP-funded Feasibility Study was conducted in 2018 that prioritized the Cascades Lakes Summer Shuttle Service over other high-use corridors throughout Central Oregon that had potential for transit services. The pilot service is funded primarily by a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant and Mt. Bachelor is contributing to the local match requirement. The summer shuttle is anticipated to commence during the summer of 2023 (pending driver availability) and will help alleviate traffic and parking congestion along Cascades Lakes Highway and popular trailheads. Fares will be charged for the shuttle service between Bend and Mt. Bachelor, which is anticipated to pull a bike trailer and access popular mountain biking trailheads such as the Visitor’s Center, Wanoga Sno Park, Swampy Lakes, and Dutchman Flat. A free circulator shuttle will run between Mt. Bachelor, Green Lakes, Devil’s Lake, and Elk Lake to provide access to popular recreation areas. All CET buses are equipped with ADA compliant wheelchair lifts and contain bus racks on the front. For more information about the project and/or upcoming meetings, contact Derek Hofbauer, COIC/CET Outreach Engagement Administrator at dhofbauer@coic.org or 541-548-9534.
A stakeholder and partner group was formed during the summer of 2021 to help guide CET’s service planning and outreach initiatives. Stakeholder and partner meetings were held on September 4, 2021 and January 4, 2022. Meetings will resume early 2023 to refine service elements and develop public engagement activities for a proposed 2023 summer service.
Stakeholder Meeting #1 Presentation
Stakeholder Meeting #2 Presentation
Central Oregon Coalition for Access Presentation
Bend to Bachelor and Elk Lake Summer Shuttle Presentation
Stakeholder affiliations:
- Cascades East Transit
- Deschutes National Forest
- Discover your Forest
- Mt. Bachelor
- ODOT
- Deschutes County
- City of Bend
- Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization
Partner affiliations:
- Central Oregon Coalition on Access
- Central Oregon Trail Alliance
- Oregon Adaptive Sports
- Commute Options
- Deschutes Trails Coalition
- Visit Bend
- Visit Central Oregon
- Wanderlust Tours
- Cog Wild
