LCOG Adopts Link Lane Transit Development Plan
The plan explores transportation needs for rural Lane County communities.
Contact: Kate Wilson, Senior Planner, Lane Council of Governments, 541-682-4422, [email protected]
February 12, 2024 — The Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) Board of Directors has adopted the Link Lane Transit Development Plan (TDP). The plan evaluates the needs and explores options for transit service for rural communities throughout Lane County, including via LCOG’s Link Lane services and through partner opportunities. The plan also establishes a framework to provide safe, affordable, and reliable travel options for Lane County residents and visitors, enhance and expand public transportation services in the county, and identify implementation strategies and funding sources to support services.
LCOG began providing Link Lane transit services in 2019. Currently, Link Lane bus services include the Florence-Eugene Connector, the Florence-Yachats Connector, and on-demand services in South Lane County. The TDP helps define Link Lane’s role as a public transportation service provider.
“We are excited for the TDP adoption. This plan lays a framework for Link Lane’s future, highlighting the transit needs of our community, the funding opportunities that Link Lane can pursue, and the partnerships that will help build better transit systems across and around Lane County,” said Kate Wilson, Link Lane Co-Manager.
Based on data findings and community feedback, the TDP recommends increasing weekday and weekend frequency for the Eugene-Florence route and the Florence-Yachats route. The TDP also recommends providing more on-demand services from unserved or underserved communities. The TDP also identifies implementation needs such as funding, vehicles, as well as potential partnerships to help see the TDP recommendations come to fruition. The TPD was funded through an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Transportation Growth Management (TGM) grant and was supported by work through Kittelson & Associates and Cogito Partners.
The creation of the TDP included ongoing community outreach at several key milestones during the plan development. Outreach efforts began in the Winter of 2022 to help identify existing needs and goals. Another round of outreach occurred in Spring of 2023 to evaluate service options. Lastly, Link Lane staff and consultant partners presented the draft TDP in a final round of community outreach in Fall of 2023 to provide feedback to the LCOG Board of Directors for the final version of the plan. The plan places a large emphasis on increasing transit accessibility for rural communities in Lane County to provide more economic opportunities, better access to essential services, and increase opportunities for recreational tourism.
A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was assembled to help guide the development of the plan. PAC members represented other transit providers in the region, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), local cities, colleges, tourism organizations, rural community organizations, and others with key perspective on the transit needs in rural Lane County. The LCOG Board reviewed a draft version of the TDP in September 2023 and provided feedback on the draft. They formally adopted the TDP in December 2023.
To learn more about the TDP or get involved in future LCOG transit planning efforts, please visit www.link-lane.org.
About Lane Council of Governments
Lane Council of Governments serves as a regional planning, coordination, program development, and service delivery organization in local communities across Lane County. Learn more at www.lcog.org.
Laura Campbell
Public Information Officer
Lane Council of Governments | 859 Willamette Street, Suite 500 | Eugene, OR 97401
Ph: 541-682-4006 | F: 541-682-4099