Author: Kathy Fitzpatrick

Hike the Dog Mountain trail car free. Operating April 26th – June 15th, 2025!

The Dog Mountain Shuttle is free! Permits are required to hike Dog Mountain and all Dog Mountain Shuttle riders receive a free stamp which serves as your permit for the day. Connections to the Columbia Gorge Express can be made by transferring to the Cascade Locks bus stop. This service will operate on weekends during peak wildflower season. 2025 dates and schedule are still being finalized but the shuttle will operate every 30 minutes.  More information can be found on the Columbia Area Transit website:  https://www.ridecatbus.org/dog-mountain-shuttle/

Effective February 8, 2025, The Link will discontinue operating the Saturday deviated fixed route
in The Dalles. To compensate for the service elimination, The Link will increase the Dial-a-Ride
service by adding an additional driver on Saturdays. The Dial-a-Ride service will continue to
operate from 9am to 4pm. To book a ride, please call 541-296-7595. This decision was primarily influenced by current and projected funding levels, along with ridership data collected over the past. We remain committed to providing Wasco County with
reliable and efficient transportation services. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please contact The Link’s
Transportation Operations Manager, Jesus Mendoza, at (541) 296-7595 or by email at Jesus@mcedd.org.

The draft 2024-2028 Wasco County Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan has been submitted for public comment.  This document, designed to both meet state and federal requirements for Special Transportation Fund (STF) agencies and the State of Oregon’s requirements for Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Qualified Entities,  helps Wasco County to analyze and meet the transportation needs of four target populations residing in Wasco County.

1. Older Adults and Native American Elders
2. Individuals with low incomes
3. Individuals with disabilities
4. Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

The Dog Mountain Shuttle provides shuttle service between the Skamania County Fairground gravel parking lot and the Dog Mountain Trailhead during the popular spring months of April-June when the wildflowers are blooming and USFS parking permits are required to park at the trailhead.

For more information, please check out Columbia Area Transit’s Dog Mountain shuttle page by clicking here.

You can now purchase your GOrge Pass online (lives on your phone) or at any of the transit offices (physical passes).   Passes are valid for 2023 starting today, December 15 2022.

Take The Link Public Transit to The Dalles Farmers Market! A new shuttle to the Farmers Market and the Pool is coming soon, but this Saturday you can just call and reserve a ride: (541) 296-7595.

Check out the new bus tracker that Mt. Adams Transportation Service is using!   Click on one of their routes and click the blue button:  Track my Bus.

What do you think about The Link’s plan to provide services for the next 20 years?  Provide comments here: Transit Plan Open House

Columbia Area Transit’s Gorge to Mountain Express has launched!  Find the schedule HERE.