Ben Franklin Transit

Public feedback is crucial for public agencies like Ben Franklin Transit. We strive to provide faster, more frequent, and more reliable service, and your input will help us get there! Thanks, Apple Valley News Now for talking with us about our 2025 Annual Service Plan. Attend one of our upcoming open houses to voice your thoughts, and check out this story for more details:

Today marks a momentous occasion here at BFT — with much pomp and circumstance, a patriotic Bradman bobble head was premiered and declared our (very unofficial) mascot. Coach operator Bradley "The Bradman" Mathews is highly engaged with the agency and his riders, and was thrilled at the surprise unveiling of his tiny likeness. The Bradman Bobble Head was commissioned by fellow coach operator Nichole Tarter, and now lives happily in the drivers lounge. Beyond providing excellent service to the community, the comradery of our drivers and operators is one of the defining components of the culture here at Ben Franklin Transit.

Over the weekend, BFT attended RiverFest! It was a fun opportunity for young riders to experience our student art bus up-close, and we always love spreading the word about our Youth Ride Free program. BFT Marketing Coordinator Alejandro Olea and Customer Service Representative Rose Livingston had a great time celebrating our rivers and talking with attendees about how transit can support our local ecology.   Ben Franklin Transit prioritizes community involvement, and we thank the RiverFest organizers for such a fun and educational event!

We need your help on our 2025 Annual Service Plan! Ben Franklin Transit strives to provide faster, more frequent, and more reliable service. Join us at the 2025 Annual Service Plan open house events to provide us with feedback! TUESDAY I OCTOBER 8 I 5 p.m. Pasco Mid-Columbia Library 1320 W. Hopkins St. I Pasco VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE TUESDAY I OCTOBER 15 I 3 p.m. WEDNESDAY I OCTOBER 30 I 12 p.m. Three Rivers Transit Center 7109 W. Okanogan Pl. I Kennewick https://lnkd.in/gV6mzSGG

BFT Board Member and Richland City Councilmember Kurt Maier is taking on the Week Without Driving Challenge! Although Councilmember Maier sometimes chooses to take the bus or his e-bike to work, he says Week Without Driving will pose a special challenge to him on days where his schedule is tight due to city council meetings in the evening right after work. Transit is one of many pieces that make up a healthy and connected community, and we at BFT echo Kurt's urge to consider how you would get around without a car. If you're used to driving everywhere, it might take extra time and planning, but it will also give you valuable insight into the lives of our non-driving community members. There is still time to take the #weekwithoutdriving challenge! If you've engaged with Week Without Driving, what have you learned?

Though we are wrapping up a few finishing touches, our new Queensgate Transit Center is fully open to the public. Catch Routes 10, 123, and 170 at our newest facility.

On Saturday, September 28, we attended a Week Without Driving kickoff panel at Café Con Arte in downtown Pasco. City of Richland Councilmember and BFT Board Member Kurt Maier, Teamsters Local No. 839 Secretary-Treasurer Russell Shjerven, and BFT Citizens Advisory Network Member Ulises Navarro shared their insights about how our community can support non-drivers. The panel was moderated by Jaime Torres. Thank you to all who attended, and thank you to America Walks and Disability Rights Washington for organizing #weekwithoutdriving!

We're grateful for the opportunity to support Leadership Tri-Cities by transporting Class XXVIII between sites during their Health and Medical Services Day. Our own Transit Planning Manager, Gabe Martin, is amongst this stellar group!

Jaime Torres is an artist, an activist, and he's also a non-driver. After becoming disabled in adulthood, Jaime says his eyes were opened to the complications of getting around when you can't drive. We followed Jaime on a trip to Café Con Arte as he prepared to host a Week Without Driving event in the space. Jaime plans to continue to advocate for marginalized communities through ADA accessibility consulting, and is looking into options to go back to school for mental health counseling. Ben Franklin Transit supports Week Without Driving and encourages the Tri-Cities to hang up their car keys and opt for other forms of transportation, to understand better what life would be like without a car. Today is day one of the week-long challenge; how do you plan to participate? #WeekWithoutDriving

Kevin Sliger, AICP and Gabe Martin talk air quality and buses in BFCOG's latest Air Quality Video! Thanks to BFCOG for highlighting the important role transit plays in reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road and keeping emissions down.