Cascades East Transit (CET) is inviting the community to leave the car behind and experience public transportation in a whole new way during “Try Transit Week,” happening June 1–5 across Central Oregon.
Throughout the week, riders can enjoy free rides during commute hours on Bend fixed routes and Redmond Flex Routes A and B from 6:00–8:00 a.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m. CET will also host community challenges encouraging riders to take transit to local destinations including restaurants, events, and the Downtown Bend Farmers Market.
“Central Oregon is growing quickly, and more people are looking for affordable and convenient ways to get around,” said Andrea Wasilew, Outreach & Engagement Administrator, CET. “Try Transit Week gives residents a chance to learn and experience transit in a fun, low-pressure way while learning the system.”
Pop-up events are scheduled at Hawthorne Station, the Redmond Transit Hub, onboard buses, COCC Bend Campus, and the new Central Library in Bend in collaboration with the City of Bend – featuring free ice cream, balloons, games, rider selfie challenges for CET trucker hats, raffle prizes for monthly and annual bus passes, and special transit pass promotions.
Designed to make transit approachable, fun, and easy to use, Try Transit Week highlights how public transportation can help reduce traffic, lower transportation costs, create greater independence for teens and individuals who do not drive, and support a more connected and sustainable Central Oregon community.
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7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Hawthorne Station, 334 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Bend, plus onboard Routes 1–3
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11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Ride + Dine event at Bend Pizza Kitchen in Northwest Crossing supporting the Community Movement Fund
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11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – COCC Bend Campus, Library bus stop pop-up and lunch field trip
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8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Redmond Transit Hub, 777 SW Kalama Ave., Redmond
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12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Onboard Bend Bus Routes 7–9
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4:30 p.m. – Try Transit Week Celebration! Community Gathering with CET presentation at Dogwood at The Pine Shed, 821 NE 2nd St., Bend
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11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Bus to Farmers Market Challenge at Brooks Alley in Downtown Bend
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1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – New Central Library pop-up event (in collaboration with the City of Bend), 61956 SE Santorini St., Bend
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1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Hawthorne Station pop-up event
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7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Redmond Transit Hub pop-up event
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12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Onboard Redmond Flex Routes A + B
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8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Hawthorne Station pop-up event
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11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Onboard Bend Bus Routes 1, 4, and 11
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2:00 p.m. – Raffle winners announced at Hawthorne Station
Transit Week CET Go Bus Pass Promotions:
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Free commute-hour rides all week on eligible routes
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Buy One, Get One Free monthly pass promotion
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Annual pass sale: $125 reduced fare / $250 regular fare
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Create a new CET Go account and receive a free day of rides
