Ben Franklin Transit is the operator of public transportation in Franklin and Benton counties in the U.S. state of Washington. Seventeen routes provide local service for the three component urban areas of the Tri-Cities: Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco. Five routes connect the Tri-Cities metro area, as well as extend to the municipalities of Benton City, Prosser, and West Richland. Most routes run six days a week. Bus service runs between 6AM and 6:30PM, Monday-Friday and 8AM and 6:30PM on Saturdays and select holidays. Trans+Plus covers the Tri-Cities portion of the service area 6:30PM to 2:00AM Monday-Saturday and 7:30AM to 6:00pm on Sundays. There is also an ADA Paratransit service Dial-a-Ride for those who are physically unable to use the regular transit bus service.
Video Ben Franklin Transit
History
The roots of public transportation in the Tri-Cities region can be traced back to the beginnings of the Hanford Site, which was opened in 1943 in the midst of World War II, and ultimately produced the plutonium used in the Fat Man bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan. General Electric, and later the Atomic Energy Commission, provided bus service as a way to bring its workers to and from the Hanford site to locales in the area, largely Richland.
In 1978, the voters of Benton County were asked to vote on a proposed county-wide bus system, but this measure was defeated, largely in part by the efforts of the Rockwell Hanford drivers, who feared that they would lose their jobs if the voters passed the proposal. (The Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) officials later passed a resolution that the bus system would not compete with Rockwell Hanford). Two years later, a bus system proposal was brought to the voters again. However, this time officials largely scaled back the proposed service area to just Kennewick and Richland, and also included Pasco, located on the other side of the Columbia River in Franklin County. For a second time, the proposal was defeated. The next year saw better luck though, as the Benton-Franklin Public Transportation Benefit Area was officially formed on May 11, 1981 when voters in the service area voted to enact a sales tax levy of three-tenths of a cent to "finance a municipal corporation which would provide public transportation services in Benton and Franklin Counties."
May 10, 1982 saw the first day of passenger service for Ben Franklin Transit, ending with 2,043 total riders. Ridership continued to slowly grow after that, as more routes were launched and more buses were put into service. Ben Franklin Transit would later buy out the franchise of Bassett Transit who had been running commuter bus service to the unsecured portions of the Hanford site, primarily the Energy Northwest Nuclear Power Plant. In 1998, Prosser Rural Transit was absorbed into Ben Franklin Transit.
Originally operating with a fleet that largely consisted of used GM New Looks bought from the Minneapolis, MN MTC (Metropolitan Transit Commission), Ben Franklin Transit put out a bid in 1987 for 30 new buses. After some delays, mainly due to cost and budgeting at the time, the $4.5 million bid was awarded to the Gillig Corporation, who would build a total of thirty-three Gillig Phantom coaches (6 30 ft and 27 35 ft) at a cost of $135,759 each. In 1992, Gillig also won the contract to provide Ben Franklin Transit with eight 40-foot coaches which had been specified in the original order, but delayed due to cost. All subsequent bids afterwards for town coaches have been awarded to Gillig, with the exception of the nine Optima Opus coaches purchased in 2003-2004.
Maps Ben Franklin Transit
Annexations
1996 Benton City and Prosser
2005 Finley
Accolades
In 2007, Ben Franklin Transit was awarded the Governor's Award for Sustainable Practices.
The new Administration building has received LEED Gold Certification
Experimental Projects
O2Diesel
In 2006 Ben Franklin Transit entered into an agreement with O2Diesel to test a blended fuel that included both bio-diesel and ethanol. This experiment lasted for approximately 1 year but was ended due to cost and supply problems.
ZEPS EBus
An electric bus from Complete Coach Works, converted from a 2005 Gillig Low Floor, was introduced into service in mid 2013. It primarily operated during weekday peak hours on the 23/26 pair. In a press release CCW announced a new battery pack that is being retrofitted into this bus.
Routes
There are 22 routes which serve a specific local area as well as routes which provide a connection between the cities.
Fleet
Active Fleet
Future Fleet
Fleet Pending Retirement
Retired Fleet
Fares
Fares are either by exact cash or pre-purchased ticket or pass. Upon payment of fare, a transfer valid for 90 minutes after arrival at the next transit center can be requested. A day pass is also available from the driver.
Cash Fares, Tickets, and Passes
Other Passes and Special Fares
- All Day Pass - $4.00
- Freedom Pass - $50.00 (All services system pass.)
- Special Event Service - Single Person $1.50 - Family (up to 5 people) $4.00
- Summer Youth Pass - $25.00
- CBC Students ride fixed-route and D-a-R free with their ID Card
Other Ben Franklin Transit services
Contracted Services
Finley Service
- Ben Franklin Transit offers General Public Demand-Response and ADA Paratransit service to the Finley area adjacent to Kennewick. A contractor is used for service to the general public. ADA Paratransit and mobility device-using riders are transported by Dial-a-Ride.
Taxi Feeder Service
- Ben Franklin Transit contracts with a taxi provider to connect areas of the Tri-Cities not served by fixed-route service to the nearest major fixed-route bus stop. Trips cost an additional $1.00 or $3.00 depending on the length of the trip.
Trans+Plus
- To replace fixed-route and D-a-R service which ends at 6:30PM, and which does not run on Sundays, Ben Franklin Transit offers Trans+Plus, on a demand-response basis. Riders can call to reserve a ride each day Monday to Saturday starting at 2PM and ending at 1AM. Sunday rides can be scheduled on Saturday before 12AM. Monday-Saturday the first scheduled rides are at 6:30PM, continuing in 15 minute blocks until the last at 2:00AM. Sundays the first scheduled ride is 7:30AM with rides available until 6:00PM. The standard fare is $3 per ride. When making a ride reservation, the Customer Service Agent will need to know how many people are riding, the departing address and destination address, and if you will need any assistance (i.e., a wheelchair van).
Coordinated Vanpool
- BFT-owned vans are available for a monthly fare that is based on the van size and mileage. The cost of fuel, maintenance, and insurance is included in the fare.
- Ben Franklin Transit can also help you set up ridesharing with your own vehicle. BFT also participates in RideshareOnline.
References
- Kuiang, Hau (September 18, 2007). "Richland Honors Green Organizations". KVEWTV.com. Morgan Murphy Media. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- "O2Diesel Provides Year End Update and Future Outlook". Market Wired. January 11, 2008. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- "10 Most Improved Transit Systems" (PDF). Metro Magazine. May 2004. p. 2. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- "LA Metro wins top APTA Roadeo award". Metro Magazine. May 8, 2009. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
External links
The KML file gives a rough approximation of the service area. The PTBA boundary is contiguous with the populated areas, as well as many voting precincts that fill in the gaps.
Source of article : Wikipedia
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