The Lynden Hop Stops Here
By Whatcom Transportation Authority
Feb 2, 2022
Introduction
The Lynden Hop provides on-demand service in the small city (population 15,000) of Lynden, Washington. This project has been funded by both the Federal Transit Administration ($719,388) and Whatcom Transportation Authority ($179,847) for a total of $899,235.
Using the WTA Ride mobile app, a webpage, or a telephone, people are able to hail a ride to any destination within the service boundary, seven days a week. The service is open to everyone, is ADA accessible, and fares mirror fixed routes at $1 per ride.
From June 13, 2021 to January 27, 2022, there have been a total of 5,254 boardings and 4,653 trips. Approximately 30% of people book their trip through the call center. The average boardings per day for 2021 Quarter 4 (October – December) was 25.1. The highest number of boardings per day is 45, which WTA has seen twice.
The goal of the Lynden Hop is to improve access to–and the convenience of–public transportation within a small town. Outreach is aimed towards seniors, parents of school-aged children, people with disabilities, and people with limited income. WTA has partnered with the City of Lynden, the Lynden Senior Center and the Lynden Public Library to promote this project.
One thing that makes this project unique is that it is run entirely in-house. For example:
- WTA owns and maintains its vehicles. The technology and electronics (e.g. Mobile Data Terminal or MDT, radio, router, cameras and Smart Card reader) are the same as our other WTA revenue service vehicles.
- WTA Information Technology (IT) staff manage the WTA Ride software, which is a Trapeze product.
- WTA Customer Service Representatives answer the phone.
- The Lynden Hop drivers are full-time WTA employees, with benefits and competitive wages.
- WTA staff has access to ALL the data without having to go through a third party and staff didn’t have to spend months negotiating what data would be released.
Challenges The Project Addresses
Like many agencies that serve both urban areas and small cities, WTA finds the standard offerings of fixed route and paratransit service—which meet people’s needs extremely well in our densely populated areas—do not meet the needs of residents of small cities.
WTA currently serves the City of Lynden with one fixed route bus. It runs on a 60-minute headway. While WTA recognizes this level of frequency reduces convenience, the demographics and population density of Lynden do not warrant greater frequency. Even for those who can access WTA’s fixed route, service is limited. For those who live further away from fixed route service bus stops, mobility options are extremely limited. Another challenge is the fact that Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) have limited or no service in Lynden.
For the new Lynden Hop Service, WTA purchased two Ford Transit vans equipped with high ceilings, a wheelchair lift, and smart floors.
This picture shows the view from where someone would sit if they were in a wheelchair. The farebox is shown in the right rear corner. It was important to the project team that people could pay with cash. The small white box at the front right is a Smart Card reader. The front passenger seat had to be removed in order to store all the electronic equipment needed to make the vehicle ready for revenue service.
WTA hired Team Soapbox from Seattle, Washington, to provide marketing support on this project. The marketing materials Team Soapbox developed include the Lynden Hop logo, vehicle graphics, a poster, window clings, magnets, yard signs, and this amazing video:
Conclusion
The Lynden Hop began revenue service on June 13, 2021. WTA received the Integrated Mobility Innovation grant funding for one-year of service and has budgeted local funds for year two. If after two years the project is determined to be successful, WTA may continue operating it in Lynden and may expand the service to other areas in Whatcom County. Ridership has steadily increased since June and the agency has heard from many riders that the service has significantly improved their lives.
One rider shared their gratitude for Lynden Hop and their story.
“I want to express how very grateful I am for all the efforts the mayor and his staff made in getting a grant for the Lynden Hop. The service has been a true blessing for me and other seniors especially.
Since I had to stop driving the first of this year, it has been a burden to always rely on family or friends for transportation. The Lynden Hop has given me my independence back. I can now schedule a ride for doctor’s visits, trips to the Lynden Senior Center, or brief shopping trips.
It is such a joy to know I can get around town whenever I need to do so. I am certain there are many other seniors who use and very much appreciate this opportunity.
My grandson has even taken the Hop to football practice. The Hop is wonderful for all of us to use for any trips around Lynden.
I sincerely hope that this one-year trial period extends to permanent access to the Lynden Hop.“
-Vicki Buffer
To keep up with the latest about Lynden Hop, follow WTA on Facebook or on Twitter @ridewta. For questions about Lynden Hop, please contact Project Manager and Transit Planner, Mary Anderson.
Email – Marya@ridewta.com
Phone – (360) 788-9316