Travel Trainer Proposes Expanded Transit Program for Columbia Gorge High School Students
Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.
By Ken Park
The Dalles, OR - Sarah Crook, a Travel Trainer with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, presented a proposal to the North Wasco School District in late July to expand a transit program for high school students across the Columbia Gorge, enhancing their mobility and access to community resources.
Currently, high school students with a valid student ID can ride The Link bus service throughout The Dalles and Hood River. Crook proposed extending this service with the introduction of the Gorge Pass, which would allow students to travel for free throughout the entire Gorge region, including to Portland and Vancouver.
“We would like to expand on this program by providing the Gorge Pass, which would expand students' ability to get out into the community,” Crook stated.
The Gorge Pass program is designed to offer several benefits to students:
● Enhanced Educational Experiences: By providing access to resources unavailable in their immediate community, the program broadens students' knowledge and learning opportunities.
● Independence and Responsibility: Students will learn important life skills, such as time management and navigation.
“This is one of my favorites because they have to look at a schedule, have to be at their stop five minutes before the bus, otherwise they’ll miss it, and have to navigate where the bus stop is relative to the activity they are going to,” Crook explained.
● Reduced Absenteeism: Reliable transportation on a consistent schedule ensures that students can get to school even if they miss their usual ride.
“You may be late for school, but you can still get there,” Crook emphasized.
● Support for After-School Programs: With routes running until 7:00 PM, the program supports students participating in extracurricular activities.
Crook noted that a similar program is already in place in Hood River, where students can easily obtain passes from their school office.
She stressed the importance of having knowledgeable staff to distribute the passes and answer questions, suggesting that parents be present during distribution due to the extensive travel range allowed by the passes.
“I would love for parents to be there, if possible when we give passes out. That way we can say, yes they [students] do have access to Portland because it's in our region, and the student should check with their parents before they get on the bus,” Crook said.
The proposed Gorge Pass would be valid for one year, from September to September, with new passes issued annually.
A key objective of Crook’s presentation was to seek collaboration with the North Wasco School District.
She proposed offering training to teachers and administrators on the transit program and introducing a classroom education curriculum about the Gorge transit system.
This curriculum would provide students of all ages with practical skills in using the transit system, including trip planning, reading bus schedules, route finding, and bus safety.
Crook's proposal promises to open up new opportunities for students in the Columbia Gorge, fostering independence and enhancing their educational experiences through expanded mobility.
