The Link Public Transit

Do you live or work in downtown The Dalles? If so, you are eligible for the new Downtown The Dalles Free Transit Pass Program!

MCEDD and the City of The Dalles have partnered with the Link to offer a free 12-month Gorge Transit Pass to residents who live and employees who work in The Dalles’ Central Business Commercial zone.

To learn all the details on how the program works, eligibility and benefits and how to apply, visit:

The Dalles Downtown Pass Program - Gorge Transit Click on the logos above to learn more about each transportation provider and their services and to find printable schedules and maps.

Thanks to Cole Goodwin for her great article "A Day on the Bus in The Dalles," found in this past weekend's Columbia Community Connection. The article is at: https://columbiacommunityconnection.com/the-dalles/a-day-on-the-bus-offers-a-snapshot-into-daily-life-in-the-dalles?

A Day on the Bus Offers a Snapshot into Daily Life in The Dalles — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region It’s just another day for The Link bus drivers in The Dalles, Everyday the Red and Blue routes circle The Dalles, helping send folks on their way, connecting them to their friends, their families, their jobs, and their community.  Everybody rides. Some folks who get on the bus are regulars,

There is a new Transit Pass Program for Downtown The Dalles!

MCEDD and the City of The Dalles - City Hall have partnered with the Link to offer a free 12-month Gorge Transit Pass to residents who live and employees who work in The Dalles’ Central Business Commercial zone!

To learn all the details on how the program works, eligibility and benefits and how to apply, visit:

The Dalles Downtown Pass Program - Gorge Transit Click on the logos above to learn more about each transportation provider and their services and to find printable schedules and maps.

Our Linkbus was up at the Veterans home last week where an unexpected encounter took place!

Photo courtesy of Link driver Lisa Malcolm.

Travel Trainer Sara Crook helps those with disabilities, older adults, veterans, school age children and the general community get comfortable with riding public transit. Sara offers both individual coaching and group trainings for social service agencies and for volunteers who assist special needs riders. Read moore aboout Sara's work in the great recent article from Columbia Community Connection linked here: https://columbiacommunityconnection.com/the-dalles/meet-the-travel-trainer-whos-changing-lives-for-gorge-residents?

Meet the Travel Trainer Who’s Changing Lives for Gorge Residents — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.

We are ! Join our fun team as a full-time Bus Driver with excellent benefits. Starting salary depending on experience ranges from $20.06 to $21.07 per hour. Apply by August 6 for first-round consideration. Find details and the application at

Employment, Volunteer, and Contract Opportunities - Mid–Columbia Economic Development District Job openings with MCEDD and The Link Public Transit in The Dalles, Oregon . Volunteer opportunities with regional boards.

We are pleased and excited to offer this new service to The Dalles downtown area! For all the details on the program and to apply, visit: https://gorgetransit.com/tddowntown/

The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District as operator of The Link Public Transit, and the City of The Dalles - City Hall have partnered to offer employees of downtown businesses and residents living in the downtown commercial zone a free 2024-2025, 12-month Gorge Transit Pass through the new The Dalles Downtown Pass Program! This program offers free transit passes to eligible employees and residents, encouraging the use of public transit and contributing to a more sustainable and livable community. To learn all the details on how the program works, eligibility and benefits, and how to apply, visit

The Dalles Downtown Pass Program - Gorge Transit Click on the logos above to learn more about each transportation provider and their services and to find printable schedules and maps.

The Link is proud to sponsor the 2024 COLUMBIA RIVER INDIAN FISHERS EXPO with coordinated rides to and from the event from designated stops.

Columbia River Indian Fishers Expo CRITFC provides the tribes and the region with biological research, fisheries management, hydrology, climate change analysis, and other science to support the protection and restoration of Columbia Basin salmon, lamprey, and sturgeon.

Public Transit is the best way to visit Multnomah Falls in the summer... with no reservations or permit needed!

The Link connects to the Columbia Gorge Express 5 times each day during the weekdays, and three times a day on the weekends, with easy connections to the Columbia Gorge Express. The Dalles to Hood River Schedule can be viewed at: https://mcedd.org/link/

The Columbia Gorge Express runs 9 times a day between Portland and Hood River with stops at Multnomah Falls each way. This is the best way to visit to the most popular place in the Gorge without the hassles of parking or permits.

The Columbia Gorge Express Schedule can be found at: https://www.ridecatbus.org/columbia-gorge-express/

Columbia Gorge Express - Columbia Area Transit

Our Travel Trainer Sara Crook was featured in the Columbia Community Connection recently with a great interview that explains Sara's work and shows her in action - training volunteers who assist seniors and disabled folks to ride the regional transit system for cross-county (The Dalles to Cascade Locks) destinations.

Read the full article at:

Meet the Travel Trainer Who’s Changing Lives for Gorge Residents — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.

GOrge Pass can get you to Cascade Locks for an awesome river tour... no car needed!

Kohr Explores: Take a ride on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler Kohr Explores: Take a ride on the Columbia Gorge SternwheelerSubscribe to KOIN 6's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/KOINLOCAL6?sub_confirmation=...

The Link's office at the Transit Center in The Dalles has cooling packs available for anyone in need! Our drivers can offer free rides to anyone needing to access the Cooling shelter at Gloria Center.

Stay cool... and stay hydrated!

Extreme temperatures are here! Here in The Dalles, you can find relief at the Gloria Center at 2505 W. 7th St. during regular business hours.

Cooling supply bundles include water and gatorade, snacks, sunscreen, lip balm, cooling cloths, and/or handheld fans. MCCAC also operates an emergency shelter at The Gloria Center during severe weather events.

Additionally, people in need of a place to stay during the daytime or who need a free meal may go to St. Vincent de Paul 315 W. 3rd St. in The Dalles. Their community room is open to all on a drop-in basis between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

For those who need transportation to access a shelter, information about public transit schedules, routes, and dial-a-ride options in the Mid-Columbia region can be found by scanning the QR Code. Rides to the cooling shelter are free, just let the Link driver know your destination.

Dispatcher Sherry Dianna Stephenson and Driver Lisa Malcolm were caught jockeying for space at the Link's Dispatch desk in this photo!

Last month, Transportation Operations Manager Jesus Mendoza completed the Simme seat installation projects at the bus stops for The Dalles High School, 10th Street at Myrtle and 10th Street at Pomona in The Dalles.

Attention Link Riders! Our office will be closed this Thursday for the 4th of July Holiday. We will be offering pre-scheduled medical Dial-a Ride service, and the Hood River route will be operating on its Sunday schedule. There will be no fixed routes service. Please plan accordingly and have a safe holiday!

Attention Link Riders! Our office will be closed for the 4th of July Holiday. We will be offering pre-scheduled medical Dial-a Ride service, and the Hood River route will be operating on its Sunday schedule. There will be no fixed routes service. Please plan accordingly and have a safe holiday!

¡La encuesta comunitaria de Oregon Mass Timber Coalition estará abierta hasta el 30 de junio!

Esta encuesta está diseñada para recopilar información sobre los desafíos y obstáculos que enfrentan nuestras comunidades para obtener vivienda, servicios y oportunidades laborales. Los comentarios de la encuesta informarán el trabajo a realizar a nivel local, regional y estatal para beneficiar a todas las comunidades.

Tómese un momento para ingresar sus respuestas ahora. ¡Gracias!

Oregon Mass Timber Coalition's Community Survey is Open Through June 30th!
This survey is designed to gather information about the challenges and obstacles our communities are facing in getting housing, services, and job opportunities. The survey's feedback will inform the work to be done at the local, regional, and state level to benefit all communities. Please take a moment to enter your responses now. Thank you!

GOrge Pass offers Gorge residents an affordable public transit option for work or school commutes, recreation and general travel everywhere between Goldendale and The Dalles - to Portland and all towns serviced throughout the Gorge on both sides of the river.

For a cost of $40, the Pass is good for one year from the date of purchase, and provides fare on all Gorge Public Transportation providers' fixed routes service as found on https://gorgetransit.com/ #

GOrge Passes can be purchased in person at The Dalles Transit Center and online at: https://www.mcedd.org/link/go-by-gorge-pass-with-the-link-public-transit/

Attention Link Riders! Our office will be closed for the Federal Juneteenth Holiday on Wednesday, June 19th. We will be offering pre-scheduled medical Dial-a Ride service, and the Hood River route will be operating on its Sunday schedule. There will be no fixed routes service. Please plan accordingly and have a safe holiday.

Take some time to come down to Jackson Park this afternoon and join us as we celebrate community together!

¡Tómate un tiempo para venir a Jackson Park esta tarde y únete a nosotros mientras celebramos juntos la comunidad!

Oregon Mass Timber Coalition's Community Survey is Open Through June 30th!

This survey is designed to gather information about the challenges and obstacles our communities are facing in getting housing, services, and job opportunities. The survey's feedback will inform the work to be done at the local, regional, and state level to benefit all communities.

Please take a moment to enter your responses now. Thank you!

¡La encuesta comunitaria de Oregon Mass Timber Coalition estará abierta hasta el 30 de junio!
Esta encuesta está diseñada para recopilar información sobre los desafíos y obstáculos que enfrentan nuestras comunidades para obtener vivienda, servicios y oportunidades laborales. Los comentarios de la encuesta informarán el trabajo a realizar a nivel local, regional y estatal para beneficiar a todas las comunidades. Tómese un momento para ingresar sus respuestas ahora. ¡Gracias!

Attention Link Riders! Our office will be closed for the Federal Juneteenth Holiday on Wednesday, June 19th. We will be offering pre-scheduled medical Dial-a Ride service, and the Hood River route will be operating on its Sunday schedule. There will be no fixed routes service. Please plan accordingly and have a safe holiday - we hope to see you down at the Juneteenth Pride Parade!

Attention Link Riders! Our office will be closed tomorrow for the 4th of July Holiday. We will be offering pre-scheduled medical Dial-a Ride service, and the Hood River route will be operating on its Sunday schedule. There will be no fixed routes service. Please plan accordingly and have a safe holiday!

The Link staff and friends celebrated Driver Gerald Benedict's retirement with a lovely send-off bash yesterday evening here at the Transit Center. Gerald received much appreciation for his 27 years of service here with the Link. He was the last remaining "original" driver, celebrating the Link's 27th anniversary with us just a few weeks ago. Happy Retirement, Gerald!