The cost of fuel, labor, insurance, purchasing buses and even basic materials and service expenses have doubled over the last few years and costs continue to climb. Federal, state, and local revenue has remained flat or declined. Without a stable local source of funding to provide matching for grant dollars, changes are necessary to keep YCT operating and protect our essential services to the community long-term.
Dial-a-Ride services are less efficient with only a few riders per hour, so reducing these services allows us to continue operating services for the most people overall.
All changes go into effect starting May 11, 2026.
While total available times on fixed route bus services are being reduced, routes and stop times are being adjusted to ensure all current riders can access the same destinations with minimal changes to their schedule.Â
Through these efficiencies, YCT has maintained both local and regional commuter fixed routes, added Saturday service, and enhanced connections to other regional transit systems, despite significant reductions to revenue hours of annual service.
New schedules will go into effect on May 11.Â
Dial-a-Ride services will see the most significant reduction, but by early summer YCT is optimizing existing local fixed route services in McMinnville to help cover the gap, while also exploring new services in Newberg to meet the need there.
If you’d like help exploring alternative transportation options like our fixed route services, our dispatch team would be happy to help you plan your next trip on these services.
The first step is Awareness- do your leaders know that transit is important to you and to your life? Is it a lifeline for you or a family member? Â
Reach out to the leaders of your community and the Yamhill County Commissioners and tell them why transit services are important to you and important for the community. YCT operates largely on federal and state grant funding, which have not kept up with increasing costs in recent years. A sustainable local funding source is essential for YCT’s continued service. Without additional local funding, beyond what the county and cities contribute, service will remain limited.
I require Dial-a-Ride services due to a disability or medical needs. Can I no longer access service?
Limited ADA Paratransit service is still available in McMinnville within ¾ of a mile of the local fixed routes. There will also be very limited Dial-a-Ride services for older adults and people with disabilities in Newberg to access medical and life sustaining services.
If you are on Oregon Health Plan (OHP) through YCCO, you also qualify for non-emergent medical transportation (NEMT) to any physical, dental, pharmacy, or behavioral health visit, including health-related services. Click here to learn more about how to access these services.
YCT must reduce costs by nearly $700,000 annually to align with fixed revenue sources.
On Monday, May 11th Yamhill County Transit will begin introducing adjustments to all fixed route bus service as well as demand response services commonly known as Dial-a-Ride and Paratransit.
These service adjustments, which are necessary due to increasing operational costs, have been thoughtfully planned to ensure all current bus riders can access the same destinations with minimal changes to their schedules. These adjustments will ensure core service is maintained while allowing the agency to operate within its fixed annual budget.
What Changes Can You Expect?
Significant reductions in demand response services
While Dial-a-Ride is a widely used service, with only a few riders per hour, this service is less efficient and more expensive per-rider than fixed route services, so reducing this service allows YCT to continue operating services for the most people overall.
- General Public Dial-a-Ride will no longer be available
- Newberg Dial-a-Ride is becoming a very limited E&D shuttle for older adults and Individuals with disabilities
- Limited ADA Paratransit will be maintained in McMinnville
Adjusted schedules and end-points for commuter routes
In order to maintain intercity fixed route service during times when people use it the most, YCT has reduced the number of trips each commuter route takes per day while adjusting the scheduled boarding and drop off times to better connect with other transit systems.
- Route 11 West Salem will operate three round trips daily with adjusted schedules beginning around 7AM
- Route 22 Grand Ronde will operate seven round trips daily with adjusted schedules beginning around 5:15AM
- Route 33 Hillsboro will operate four round trips daily with adjusted schedules beginning around 5:40AM
- Route 44 Tigard will maintain the current number of round trips, instead adjustments will be made to route end-points. Four trips will now end at Langer Dr in Sherwood where riders will be able to transfer to TriMet’s Line 94 to Tigard. Five trips will continue to Tigard as usual (these trips will be two early morning trips, one midday trip, and two evening trips). Adjusted schedules will begin around 5:35AM
Suspension of Route 44X
Reinstatement of Saturday Service
YCT is reinstating Saturday service between Grand Ronde and Tigard through McMinnville on Route 22/44.
What’s Next?
These service adjustments are round one of the total system changes YCT is working to implement. The second round of adjustments are planned for Summer 2026.
What’s included in the second round of service changes?
YCT is currently planning enhancements so this Transit System works better for you. Here’s a look at what we might be seeing.
- Fare policy implementation following public outreach. Keep an eye out for when YCT’s public outreach efforts begin to be up-to-date on fare information and so you can let YCT know your thoughts.
- Optimization of the local routes in McMinnville. With this enhancement YCT will be looking at re-routing to cover more of the areas people want to go in order to cover the gap left by Dial-a-Ride.
- Possible new small city shuttle service in Newberg to meet the need created by the suspension of local routes and Dial-a-Ride.
