Our Mission

Valley Transit is dedicated to providing high quality and efficient public transportation services that are responsive to the needs of the entire community, promoting quality of life and a healthy economy.

Our Core Values and Goals as a Service Provider

• We are committed to providing high quality service.
• We exist to serve the community through our transportation services, and our desire to receive and respond to the changing dynamics of our community as it continues to grow and thrive.
• Our strategic direction is driven by a culture of integrity and inclusivity.
• We provide safe transportation and access to the Walla Walla Valley with well-maintained vehicles, and highly trained friendly staff.
• We optimize system efficiency through effective utilization of fiscal resources, personnel, and time.
• We strive to meet the varying needs of our community through the delivery of multiple transportation programs that respond to the requests of our community with data driven solutions.
• We foster quality of life for all Walla Walla residents and visitors through the provision of robust and highly inclusive transportation services.
• We encourage the continuation of a healthy economy by providing access to services, jobs, and commerce; and by leveraging regional, state, and federal resources to stimulate economic development.

Read a recent article featuring Valley Transit here.

History of Valley Transit

Valley Transit was founded in 1979, when the Walla Walla County Commissioners created the Walla Walla County Public Transportation Benefit Area. Funding for the system was secured in March 1980 when voters in Walla Walla, College Place and adjacent areas approved a 3/10ths of one percent sales tax to fund public transportation. Additional revenues originally came from matching local motor vehicle excise tax, and passenger fares. The system began route service on January 5, 1981, as Valley Transit.

Following repeal of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax in 2000 by the Washington State Legislature, Valley Transit downsized hours of service and decreased the number of routes to reduce the workforce size and trim expenses. Passenger fares were raised to increase local revenue and Valley Transit was able to slowly obtain additional grant funds from state and federal transportation sources.

Voters residing within the Transit District (the combined area of Walla Walla School District Number 140 and College Place School District Number 250, excluding the Frenchtown and Eureka election precincts) approved Proposition 1 on February 9, 2010 to increase the sales tax dedicated to public transportation by an additional 3/10ths of one percent with over 76 percent voting in favor of the measure.

Valley Transit is a separate municipal corporation; not a department of the City of Walla Walla, City of College Place, or Walla Walla County. A seven-member Board of Directors oversees the agency. The board is made up of elected officials from the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners, the College Place City Council, and the Walla Walla City Council.

Fixed-route service is provided throughout the Walla Walla and College Place urban area. Eight routes meet at a centrally located transfer center in downtown Walla Walla at Main and Fourth Streets. Eighty percent of the homes within the Walla Walla and College Place city limits are within 3-blocks of a Valley Transit bus route, so convenient service is never far away. All buses are air-conditioned for passenger comfort and have low-floors with ramps at the front door to make boarding easy for people who use mobility aids.

Most routes have bus service every thirty minutes and two neighborhood routes are run each hour. Weekday service begins at 6:15am and ends at 5:45pm. A smaller Flex-Route service that is more appropriate for periods of lower demand operates on weekdays from 5:45pm to 9:10pm, and on Saturday running from 10:45am to 6:15pm. The bus system is closed each Sunday and six major holidays, however the Job Access program for work transportation operates every day.

For people who cannot get to a bus stop, or for some other reason cannot ride the bus because of a disability (physical, mental, or sensory) there is a special service called Dial-A-Ride. Dial-A-Ride consists of specially equipped mini-buses whose operators will pick up a passenger in front of their home, assist with boarding the mini-bus, and drop off the passenger in front of their destination. This is a shared ride service which means other people may be on the van at the same time, so extra time needs to be scheduled to allow for other stops.

Vanpool is the newest public transportation service, being launched in 2009. It is designed for work commuters who live in the transit district and have a long daily commute to work. This service is most beneficial for people whose job site is twenty or more miles from home. Some of the vanpool groups have members who all work for the same company, and other vans have people who work in the same vicinity but for different employers (i.e., at the Hanford site). One of the vanpool members is the driver of the vehicle and members share vanpool expenses, however vanpool members find there is a significant cost savings compared to driving alone. Some employers have incentive programs for their employees who rideshare in a carpool, vanpool, or by riding the bus, so be sure to ask your employer if you are eligible for these benefits.

As you can see, Valley Transit has the Walla Walla Valley covered for convenient, safe and economical transportation. Climb aboard for a relaxed ride to see the sights of this beautiful valley.