Ben Franklin Transit
 | |
| Founded | 1981[1] |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |
1000 Columbia Park Trail Richland, Washington |
| Service area | Tri-Cities, Washington |
| Service type | Transit, Paratransit |
| Routes | 22 |
| Hubs | 7 |
| Fleet | 66 (fixed-route) |
| Annual ridership | 5.5 million (2008) |
| Fuel type | Diesel, Battery-Electric |
| Website | www.bft.org |
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[2] 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.[3]
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."[4][5][6]
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.[7]
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.
Annexations
1996 Benton City and Prosser
2005 Finley
Accolades
In 2007, Ben Franklin Transit was awarded the Governor's Award for Sustainable Practices.[8][9]
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.[10][11] 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. It is no longer on the property, and is now used by CCW as a test coach.
Routes
There are 22 routes which serve a specific local area as well as routes which provide a connection between the cities.[12]
| No. | Area served | Transit Center(s) | Route description (Local) Cities Served (Inter City & Rural) | Service Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Richland Local | Knight Street Transit Center | Jadwin | Monday to Friday | |
| 25 | Richland Local | Knight Street Transit Center | Wright, Stevens | Monday to Saturday | |
| 26 | Richland Local | Knight Street Transit Center | George Washington Way | Monday to Friday | PNNL/Battelle Peak Hours Only |
| 27 | Richland Local | Knight Street Transit Center | Jadwin, George Washington Way | Saturday | |
| 39H | Richland Local Hills West | Knight Street Transit Center, Three Rivers Transit Center | Hills West/Gage Blvd. | Monday to Saturday | |
| 39K | Richland Local Keene Rd. | Knight Street Transit Center, Three Rivers Transit Center | Keene Rd./Gage Blvd. | Monday to Saturday | |
| 41 | Kennewick Local | Huntington Transit Center, Dayton Transfer Point | E. Kennewick/S. Kennewick | Monday to Saturday | |
| 42 | Kennewick Local | Three Rivers Transit Center, Dayton Transfer Point | 4th Crosstown | Monday to Saturday | |
| 47 | Kennewick Local | Huntington Transit Center, Dayton Transfer Point | 27th Crosstown | Monday to Saturday | |
| 48 | Kennewick Local | Three Rivers Transit Center, Dayton Transfer Point | 10th Crosstown | Monday to Saturday | |
| 50 | Kennewick Local | Three Rivers Transit Center | Vista District/Columbia Center Loop | Monday to Saturday | |
| 60 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Jan Street | Monday to Saturday | |
| 62 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Court Street | Monday to Saturday | |
| 64 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Lewis Street, S Elm | Monday to Saturday | |
| 65 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Sylvester, N Elm | Monday to Saturday | |
| 66 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Sylvester, Road 88 | Monday to Friday | |
| 67 | Pasco Local | 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Sandifur Parkway | Monday to Saturday | Serves CBC loop Monday-Friday School days |
| 110 | Inter City | West Richland Transit Center, Three Rivers Transit Center | Kennewick, Richland, West Richland | Monday to Friday | |
| 120 | Inter City | West Richland Transit Center, Richland Transit Center, Three Rivers Transit Center, Huntington Transit Center, 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, West Richland | Monday to Saturday | |
| 160 | Inter City | Three Rivers Transit Center, Dayton Transfer Point, 22nd Avenue Transit Center | Pasco, Kennewick | Monday to Saturday | |
| 170 | Rural | Prosser (Stacy Street) Transit Center, Benton City Park & Ride, Knight Street Transit Center | Richland, Benton City , Prosser | Monday to Saturday | No ADA Paratransit on Saturdays |
| 225 | Inter City | 22nd Avenue Transit Center, Knight Street Transit Center | Pasco, Richland | Monday to Saturday | Serves CBC loop Monday-Friday School days |
Fleet
Active Fleet
| Model | Motor | Seated Capacity | Length | Time of Service | Quantity | Fleet Numbers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Optima Opus | Cummins B5.9 | 23 | 29' | 2003–Present | 6 | 501-506 | |
| 2004–Present | 3 | 507-509 | ||||||
 |
Gillig Low Floor | Cummins ISL | 40 | 40' | 2005–Present | 5 | 245-247,249-250 | 248 rebuilt into ZEPS Electric Bus E-1 |
| 2006–Present | 3 | 251-253 | ||||||
 | Gillig Low Floor | Cummins ISL | 23 | 29' | 2007–Present | 5 | 254-258 | Acquired via a "piggyback" on a CamTran order |
 | Gillig Low Floor | Cummins ISL | 40 | 40' | 2009–Present | 9 | 259-267 | Acquired via a "piggyback" on a Laketran order |
 | Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11 | 29 | 30' | 2010 (1995) - Present | 4 | 268-271 | Ex C-TRAN 2036, 2043, 2045, and 2051 |
 | Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11 | 37 | 35' | 2010 (1995) - Present | 3 | 272-274 | Ex C-TRAN 2061-2063. See 275 in "Retired Fleet" below. |
 | Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11 | 45 | 40' | 2010 (1995) - Present | 1 | 277 | Ex C-TRAN 2088. See 276, 278-280 in "Retired Fleet" below. |
  |
Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11+ | 45 | 40' | 2011 (1999) - Present | 11 | 283-293 | Ex-Sound Transit 9016-9017, 9019, 9022, 9045, 9048-9049, and 9052-9053 [283 was 9017, 284 was 9016](originally acquired via a "piggyback" on a King County Metro order). 293 has new engine, reset governor, capable of 70 mph |
| 2012 (1999) - Present | 12 | 294-305 | Ex-Sound Transit 9000-9001, 9003-9009, 9013, 9037-9038 (originally acquired via a "piggyback" on a King County Metro order). "Wave" livery is removed. 297 has the new BFT livery. | |||||
 | ZEPS Electric Bus (Gillig Low Floor) | KAM All-Electric Drive | 38 | 40' | 2013–Present | 1 | E-1 | Originally entered service in 2005 as 248, rebuilt by Complete Coach Works in 2012/2013 as an all-electric bus[13] |
 | Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2013–Present | 4 | 5306-5309 | Acquired via a "piggyback" on a Laketran order. All four buses are in the new BFT livery. | |
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2014–Present | 14 | 5310-5323 | Acquired via piggyback contracts, fleet in process of being delivered. |
Future Fleet
| Model | Motor | Seated Capacity | Length | Purchased | Status | Quantity | Fleet Numbers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2012 | Delivery mid-2014 | 10 | 5314-5323 | Acquired via a "piggyback" on a Lynx order | ||
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2012 | Delivered 1/2014 | 4 | 5310-5313 | |||
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2013 | To be delivered 2015 | 4 | # to be determined | Acquired via a "piggyback" on a Whatcom Transportation Authority order | ||
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2013 | To be delivered 2015 | 4 | # to be determined | |||
| Gillig Low Floor | 37 | 40' | 2013 | To be delivered 2015 | 4 | # to be determined | 2 units acquired via a "piggyback" on a Whatcom Transportation Authority order, other 2 units bought directly from Gillig using an extension on the same WTA contract |
Retired Fleet
| Model | Motor | Seated Capacity | Length | Time of Service | Quantity | Fleet Numbers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | GM New Look | GM 6V71 | 45 | 35' | 1982 (1961) - 1990? | 37 | 101-138 | #121 is ex-Alexandria, Barcroft & Washington Transit Company #134 |
| Mercedes-Benz O309 | Ex-Community Transit. Purchased for West Richland Route 10, replaced by 139 | |||||||
| MCI MC-7 | Detroit Diesel 8V71 (might have been repowered to 8V92) | 1983 (1972) - 1995 | 7 | 701-707 | 701 and 707 ex-Kerrville Bus Co. V111 and V110. 702-706 ex-Gray Line of Hawaii Inc. 402, 405, 409, 404, and 405. All units entered service as NASA - Kennedy Space Center #'s 17, 25, 12, 14, 21, 13, and 16. | |||
| TMC MC-8 | Detroit Diesel 8V71 | 1987 (1975) - 1995 | 1 | 708 | Ex-Greyhound Lines (West) 2413 | |||
| Gillig Phantom | Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA | 29 | 30' | 1986 - 2003 | 1 | 139 | ||
| 1988 - 2005 | 5 | 201, 203-206 | ||||||
| 1989 - 2007 | 1 | 202 | Replacement for original #202 which was damaged in delivery | |||||
 | Gillig Phantom | Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA | 38 | 35' | 1988 - 2011 | 27 | 207-233 | |
 | Gillig Phantom | Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA | 43 | 40' | 1992 - 2012 | 8 | 234-241 | |
 | MCI 102-B3 | Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA | 47 | 40' | 1993-2012 | 4 | 709-712 | Sold to Kitsap Transit |
 | MCI 102-D3SS | Detroit Diesel Series 60 | 48 | 40' | 1995 - 2012 | 4 | 713-716 | Sold to Yakima Transit |
 | Gillig Low Floor | Detroit Diesel Series 40 | 38 | 40' | 1998 - 2012 | 3 | 242-244 | Acquired via a "piggyback" on an Intercity Transit order. Scrapped instead of auctioned due to high value of aluminum. |
| |
Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11 | 45 | 40' | 2010 (1995) - 2013 | 1 | 278 | Ex C-TRAN 2089. Sold to Grant Transit Authority. |
| 2010 (1995) - 2014 | 3 | 276, 279-280 | Ex C-TRAN 2087, 2090, 2098 | |||||
 | Gillig Phantom | Cummins 6CTA8.3 | 29 | 30' | 2011 (1993) - 2013 | 2 | 281-282 | Ex-Mason Transit 801,803. Sold to Grant Transit Authority. |
| | Gillig Phantom | Cummins M11 | 37 | 35' | 2010 (1995) - 2014 | 1 | 275 | Ex C-TRAN 2065 |
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.[14]
Cash Fares, Tickets, and Passes
| Type | Cash Fare | 10-ride Tickets | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (Adult) | $1.50 | $12.00 | $25.00 |
| Youth | $1.00 | $8.00 | $14.00 |
| Medicare Cardholder & Disabled Persons | $.75 | $6.00 | $12.50 |
| Senior Citizens (65 years and older) and Children Age 5 and younger (Fixed Route) | Free | N.A. | N.A. |
| Dial-A-Ride | $1.50 | $12.00 | $25.00 |
| Premium Dial-A-Ride | $3.00 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Trans + Plus | $3.00 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
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.[15]
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).
Vanpool / Carpool / Rideshare
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.[16]
Carpool / Rideshare
- Ben Franklin Transit can also help you set up ridesharing with your own vehicle.[17] BFT also participates in RideshareOnline.[18]
References
- ↑ Ben Franklin Transit History
- ↑ Trans+Plus Night & Sunday Service
- ↑ Ben Franklin Transit: Dial-A-Ride
- ↑ Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, WA). April 5, 1981. "Tri-City bus issue questions answered" by Bob Woebler. p. Second Page One. Microfilm roll (35mm) viewed November 2, 2009. Archive copy via Google News Archive Search.
- ↑ Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, WA). May 20, 1980. "Tri-City voters approve mass transit system 2-1" by Bob Woebler. p. Front Page. Microfilm roll (35mm) viewed November 2, 2009.
- ↑ "Summary of Public Transportation — 2007" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. November 17, 2008. pp. 73–78. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
- ↑ Wells, Devona (Jun 16, 1998). "Prosser-Tri-Cities bus service gets rolling". Yakima Herald - Republic (via Proquest). Retrieved May 18, 2013. (Library, school, or other organizational access required)
- ↑ KVEWTV.com. Apple Valley Broadcasting. October 5, 2007. "BFT Award" by Christina Wu. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- ↑ Governor's Award for Sustainable Practices Winners 1992-2008'. Washington State Department of Ecology. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- ↑ . October 19, 2006. "O2Diesel to Begin Testing New Ethanol - Biodiesel Blend With Ben Franklin Transit of Richland, Washington". Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- ↑ KVEWTV.com. Apple Valley Broadcasting. March 7, 2007. "BFT Buses Run on Alternative Fuels" by Brian Flores. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- ↑ Ben Franklin Transit: Routes & Maps
- ↑ Folsom, Geoff (May 17, 2013). "Ben Franklin Transit's electric bus to hit Tri-City streets". Tri-City Herald (McClatchy). Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ↑ Ben Franklin Transit - Fares
- ↑ "Ben Franklin Transit: Taxi Feeder Service". Retrieved October 30, 2009.
- ↑ "Vanpool".
- ↑ "Carpool / Rideshare".
- KVEWTV.com. Apple Valley Broadcasting. September 18, 2007. "Richland Honors Green Organizations" by Hau Kuiang. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- Marketwire. January 11, 2008. "O2Diesel Provides Year End Update and Future Outlook. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- Metro Magazine. "10 Most Improved Transit Systems". p. 21 (PDF p. 2). Retrieved November 14, 2009.
- Metro Magazine. May 8, 2009. "LA Metro wins top APTA Roadeo award". Retrieved November 14, 2009.
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.