The new Pendleton Bus Barn, located near the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, will house the city’s public transportation fleet. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. at 4834 NW H Ave. The ceremony will include tours of the facility and refreshments. (Yasser Marte/East Oregonian)

PENDLETON — Let ‘Er Bus transit has a new home at the Pendleton Bus Barn near the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport. The public can check out the facility at 4834 NW H Ave. during its ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. June 26. The event includes tours and refreshments.

The new bus barn houses the city of Pendleton’s public transportation fleet, which includes four wheelchair-accessible buses and six wheelchair-accessible minivans. The vehicles provide a variety of public transit services.

This project has been in development for several years and is nearing completion, according to the announcement from the city.

The $3.5 million project is primarily funded through the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund, which provided a $2.1 million grant. ODOT contributed $90,000 to cover planning and engineering. Umatilla County provided $504,966 in STIF funding, and the city of Pendleton allocated $500,000 from its transportation budget.

Pendleton Mayor McKennon McDonald said the project will bring major benefits to the city, providing an indoor facility to house the fleet of transportation vehicles.

“This will hopefully extend the longevity of our vehicles and reduce maintenance costs, helping us keep them on the road longer,” McDonald said.

The city fleet remains parked outside and exposed to the elements in the downtown core. McDonald noted relocating the vehicles —those the city owns and those Elite Taxi operates — to the new facility also will free up valuable downtown space for local businesses.

“The main benefit to the community is better maintenance of the vehicles we already have in our transit system,” she said. “We’re grateful to those who worked collaboratively to make this happen. I know it took a few years, but we appreciate everyone who helped start the project and see it through.”

The city of Pendleton’s public transportation program includes:

• Let ‘Er Bus deviated route service: This fare-free service runs Monday through Friday with 11 daily loops to more than 20 stops across Pendleton.
• Daily van service: Riders must call the taxi service the business day before to schedule a ride. The service operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily within Pendleton and its urban growth boundary. Rides cost $1 each.
• Taxi tickets for seniors and individuals with disabilities: This program offers discounted taxi fares to eligible residents.
• Care Ride: With financial support from CHI St. Anthony Hospital, the city provides free taxi service for individuals who need prompt medical attention but do not require an ambulance.