By Bus: Play Whatcom

Continued from 16 took 9.9 billion trips on public transportation. It’s a $79 billion industry that employs more than 430,000 people. More than 6,800 organizations provide public transportation in the United States.

Busses aren’t just for commuting to and from work. They’re also a way to explore Whatcom County when a car is not available or simply as a way to save on gas. Get out your cash, purchase a bus pass or download the Umo mobile app and get ready to go.

Rides are $1 for adults. Anyone 18 or younger, or 75 and older, rides the bus for free. A free youth pass is needed when riding the 80X bus to Skagit.

A day pass is $3, a Skagit-

Whatcom Day Pass is $6, and then additional passes are available for more rides and more days. The WTA has online help at ridewta.com for checking routes and schedules and also using a trip planner linked to a map or tracking your bus to see if it is on time.

Within Lynden, the Lynden Hop, a shared ride service, has a new on-demand service using a new mobile app and costs $1 a ride. Book your ride by phone at 360-676-7433 or online. As with other parts of the WTA service, youth and seniors 75 and older are free. Quickly move between Fairway Center and the downtown and grab lunch with a friend, view art Jansen Art Center, and walk along the trail at the Lynden City Park.

Within Bellingham, a few

Spring blooms around the downtown Bellingham Public Library, top photo. In photo above, Regal Cinemas has a multiplex facility in the Barkley district near a series of restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops and a trail system. (Courtesy photos) locations accessed by bus:

Boulevard Park (Route 1): From Boulevard Park you can walk along the boardwalk, enjoy coffee at Woods at the park, and follow the trail into Fairhaven to shop.

Fairhaven Park (Route 105): Many people don’t realize this park has 136 acres to explore, which include a playground, trails and a splash park.

Lake Padden (Route 533): The wooded trail follows the shore of the lake within 745 acres with sections for horseback riding, biking, walking and taking non-motor boats. A dog park and playgrounds are inviting for families.

Lake Whatcom (Route 525): The lake is the largest in Whatcom County and has several park areas, a boat launch and an enhanced swimming area.

Cornwall Park (Route 15): 70 wooded acres along the Guide Meridian is blocks from Interstate 5 and Squalicum Parkway – one direction going to the hospital and the other to the waterfront. The park is noted for its disc golf course, horseshoe pits, outdoor athletic courts for basketball, tennis, and pickleball. The noted Cornwall Rose Garden is located on the south end.

Also, the buses can go to the movie theaters, museums, shopping downtown or in Fairhaven, and many other locations. Use a day pass and go from place to place.

To go beyond and into the community using partnerships with Skagit and Island transits:

• To connect between Bellingham and Lynden (Route 15)

• To go between Bellingham and Birch Bay (Route 75)

• To go between Bellingham and Mt. Vernon (Bus 80X)

• To go between Mt. Vernon and Everett (Bus 90X)

• To go between Mt. Vernon and Anacortes (Bus 40X)

• To go between Mt. Vernon and Camano Island (Bus 411C)

• To go between Anacortes and Whidbey Island (Bus 411W)

Give bussing a try and see how far you can go, bring a few friends, and leave less of a carbon footprint. Take your bike along to ride at your destination. Use the bike rack and make sure you notify the driver.

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