Getting There Together: How Community Transit Builds Stronger Rural Communities
By Susan Grindle
HopeSource operates two essential systems that keep our communities moving: city-sponsored fixed-route systems and state-funded Dial-A-Ride services. These systems were built to serve people who are often left behind in traditional transit planning.
HopeSource’s mission goes beyond simply putting buses on the streets. We ensure Central Washington residents can get to their workplaces, appointments and homes, destinations that are difficult to reach without a car in our rural county.
HopeSource started providing transportation with one rickety bus and a supervisor/driver. The heart was there, but the capacity to get people where they needed to go was not. Just as HopeSource continues to do today, a gap in community services was recognized and work began to fill the need. HopeSource staff started knocking on doors of local and state government officials for support to create an effective transportation system for an under-served community. In turn, government transportation planners needed a non-profit partner to operate a system. HopeSource put together a strategic plan with detailed start-up and sustainability options to present to potential funding bodies.
These systems didn’t appear overnight. Designing routes, adding stops, improving accessibility, and investing in vehicles and drivers who know their riders by name took time to develop. The fleet began to grow with three new 14-passenger buses, all designed with lifts to accommodate wheelchairs. Demand rose and funding increased as community benefits were demonstrated. More buses were added year after year.
HopeSource now operates a fleet of 14 buses and 6 smaller vans, all with dependable, people-centered drivers at the wheel. Whether it's a senior needing dialysis, a young adult with a disability going to class, or a veteran heading to work, our drivers are more than chauffeurs. They're connectors and caregivers, sometimes the only friendly face someone might see all day.
A Lifeline Worth Investing In
Transportation isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. HopeSource’s 30-year journey in rural transit shows what is possible when cities and non-profits work together to solve problems locally. As we continue to evolve — adding electric vehicles, improving scheduling systems, expanding routes — we’re guided by a simple truth: When people can get where they need to go, they are able to pursue their dreams for a better tomorrow in their own community.
Why It Matters
Public transportation is not simply moving people. It’s about moving whole communities forward. When rural residents have access to reliable, affordable, and dignified transportation, everything changes for the better.
1. Health Access Improves: Riders get to medical appointments, behavioral health support, and pharmacies, which reduces emergency room visits and improves health outcomes.
2. Employment Grows: Transportation helps people get and keep jobs, supporting the local economy and household stability.
3. Independence is Preserved: Seniors and people with disabilities can remain in their homes longer and stay active in their communities.
4. Youth and Families Thrive: Students can reach after-school programs, libraries, and part-time work, supporting educational success and resilience.
Help us spread the word. A vibrant bus system is the lifeblood of the community, connecting us to the people and places we call home.
Click here to get our current route maps or to schedule a ride.