The Oregon Department of Transportation is launching a new round-trip bus service linking the Gateway Transit Center at 9900 N.E. Multnomah, Portland, with Rooster Rock State Park and Multnomah Falls, on Friday.
The Columbia Gorge Express will operate Friday through Sunday through Sept. 25. It will give transportation options that help relieve severe parking and traffic congestion at Multnomah Falls, one of Oregon’s most popular destinations.
A round trip will cost $5.
During service, travelers will be able to park for free at Rooster Rock State Park and ride the bus to Multnomah Falls at no charge. The ride is 10 minutes long and allows passengers to avoid the overcrowded falls parking lot.
Officials hope the service will reduce congestion at the Multnomah Falls parking lot, which is known to back up onto Interstate 84, and reduce illegal parking on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Starting Friday, there will be 12 departures per day from the Gateway Transit Center. The first bus leaves at 8:45 a.m.; the final bus leaves Multnomah Falls at 6 p.m.
Buses will also have racks to hold three bicycles each.
The service will also be in place next year. ODOT officials and other partners in the pilot project will evaluate the service and consider expanding service to Hood River in years beyond 2017.
The service is the result of planning and research on Gorge travel conducted by ODOT. From November 2015 until March, ODOT met with transit providers, held meetings and analyzed surveys of more than 1,700 people. Feedback was also taken from an open house in March.
Parking at Multnomah Falls is a perpetual issue. During a 22-month period ending on May 13, overcrowding of the parking lot forced it to be closed on 181 days with 129 of those being on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
For more information, visit: www.ColumbiaGorgeExpress.com
