The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is offering new intercity bus service as part of the innovative Travel Washington program.

What is Intercity Service?
Intercity service is public transportation to a city with the intent of making timed connections to additional cities. Intercity transportation is not only about getting from Point A to Point B; it is about getting from one point to any place in the country. All of the Travel Washington routes make connections with other intercity carriers. This coordination means that passengers will have reliable transportation to wherever they want to go.

The Intercity Bus Program
In 2006, WSDOT received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to use private capital investment as local match funds for the new Travel Washington intercity bus routes. This local match now comes from the capital investment made by Greyhound Bus Lines. Traditionally, local matching funds were needed for each individual route and provider and were difficult for local communities to secure. The new funding structure follows the idea that intercity routes are all part of a transportation network.

Contracting and Branding
Travel Washington uses private contractors to provide the transportation on the bus routes. This is new for WSDOT. Previously, potential providers used to submit a grant request. Now, through the contracting process, WSDOT is able to take the interests of the entire state network into consideration when determining which routes to fund. Each private contractor promotes the service with the Travel Washington brand. The Travel Washington brands are registered trademarks and trade names of WSDOT.

Travel Washington Routes

Grape Line
The first Travel Washington service route is the Grape Line. This route began service in December, 2007 and travels between Walla Walla and Pasco providing connections with Greyhound, Amtrak, Ben Franklin Transit and Valley Transit for the rural communities of southeast Washington State.

The public-private partnership will ensure a win-win for the community and the new intercity carrier. For more information, visit the Grape Line Web site for schedules, fares and bus stop locations.

Dungeness Line
In September, 2008, the Dungeness Line will commence service on the Olympic Peninsula connecting the cities of Port Angeles, Seattle and SeaTac International airport. The route will provide vital links to Greyhound, Amtrak, Washington State Ferries and ferry service to Victoria, British Columbia. The Dungeness Line will be the first Travel Washington intercity bus route to provide international connections for rural residents of Washington State. There will be a Ribbon-cutting Ceremony at the Port Angeles Pier on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. For more information, visit the Dungeness Line Web site for schedules, fares and bus stop locations.


Apple Line
Service began on October 2008 for the Travel Washington Apple Line. This 160-mile route extends from Omak through Wenatchee to Ellensburg. The route will provide connections to Greyhound, Northwest Trailways and Amtrak. This intercity bus route will provide service to the rural communities of north-central Washington along the U.S. 97 highway corridor. For more information, visit the Apple Line Web site for schedules, fares and bus stop locations.


Today & Beyond
The combination of a competitive bidding process and new funding possibilities ensures that Washington State will select the best intercity provider for a particular route. Further, by making sure that the routes all have coordinated schedules, travel from rural to urban areas in Washington will become much easier.