Columbia Area Transit Announces Gorge-to-Mountain Express Service Changes

From Columbia Area Transit:

By Amy Schlappi

Hood River OR. December 4, 2023 - Columbia Area Transit (CAT) is making final preparations to kick off the 2023-2024 season for the Gorge-to-Mountain Express Service!

This year the Gorge-to-Mountain Express(G2M) seasonal service will begin on Saturday, December 16th. The G2M bus connects Hood River, Pine Grove, Mt Hood/Parkdale, Mt. Hood Meadows, and Teacup Nordic Center 7 days a week up to 6 times a day. The CAT service will offer options for riders wanting to travel to Mt. Hood Meadows and Teacup Nordic Center for daytime and nighttime operations. Riders have access to several park-and-ride locations within Hood River County making it easy to hop on the bus. The bus will take you right to the front door of Mt. Hood Meadows so you can waste no time hitting the slopes!

To ride a rider must have a valid Gorge Transit Pass, pay cash to the driver, purchase a token from the CAT office, or purchase a digital ticket on Token Transit. If buying individual fares, it is $5 round trip, and a Gorge Transit Pass is $40 (Adult) and $20 (Youth – Under 17). A physical Gorge Transit Pass may be purchased at the CAT office (224 Wasco Loop) or a digital pass can be purchased through Token Transit. One may also go to their favorite app store, search for Token Transit, and download the app.

Here are some things to know:

 -The G2M service will no longer be serving the Government Camp due to low ridership, operational issues, and expense. The goal is to resume serving Government Camp again in the next couple of years when more sustainable long-term funding is available.

 -Hood River Valley High School and Middle School students are eligible for a free Gorge Transit Pass (please visit your school’s office).

 -The Hood River Event Site park and ride does require riders to pay for parking. The CAT park and ride located at 224 Wasco Loop is free.

 -Night service is offered Wednesday – Saturday only and if Mt. Hood Meadows is offering night operations.

For comments, questions, or concerns please call (541) 386-4202 or email us at info@ridecatbus.org; Columbia Area Transit

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Hood River County Transportation District provides public transportation in Hood River County under the name of Columbia Area Transit (CAT). We are a Special District organized under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 267. Our major sources of funding include grants from the Federal Transit Administration, several different sources from the State of Oregon, local property tax, and user fees. The District was formed by a vote of Hood River County Residents in 1993.