BEND, OR -- Cascades East Transit continues to alter bus schedules, due to an ongoing driver shortage. CET's Derek Hofbauer says buses on fixed-routes are now running less often in Bend, “And then additionally, in the past, we provided Saturday service for our regional system. Service would extend all the way from Warm Springs down to LaPine, over to Prineville, but we had to pull that service because we didn’t have enough drivers.” CET is actively recruiting drivers.

Road-construction also makes it tricky to manage schedules according to Hofbauer, “We do a good job of coordinating with the City of Bend and with ODOT in terms of their construction activities and doing some detours, but with the improvements that they’re making along the parkway north of town and with the series of Tumalo roundabouts, that’s sometimes challenging.”

Fixed route buses and some other services will remain free until regular schedules resume. Fares are charged for recreational services like the Mt. Bachelor Shuttle, which has proven popular again this season, Hofbauer said, “We’ve had a really great turnout. We see a lot of parents putting their teenagers on the bus. We also just have folks that just don’t want to drive those roads, and save money on some gas and do good for the environment, and use public transportation. It’s a very frequent service.”