Cascades East Transit will roll out new fares, technology, and community programs in February

(Update: adding video, comments from CET Transit Director)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Since 2020, Cascades East Transit (CET) has operated free of charge, helping Central Oregonians reach work, school, and essential services during and after the pandemic. But after nearly six years of fare-free rides, CET is reintroducing them across Central Oregon beginning February 1, 2026 — part of a broader effort to improve transit access, technology, and long-term sustainability.

Most fixed and flex-route trips within Bend and Redmond will cost $2 one way, capped at $6 per day. Dial-A-Ride users will pay $4 per trip; for Dial-A-Ride riders in Bend, the first ride of each month will cost just $2. For all costs, CET has listed the upcoming fares for all routes.

Ahead of the fare change, a new CET GO pass and payment system will launch on January 1. The system includes both a mobile app and reloadable smart card that riders will use to pay for all trips. It’s designed to simplify fare payment and improve security.

CET Transit Director Bob Townsend said the return of fares is essential to maintaining a system that doesn’t rely on local tax revenue.

“We’re completely reliant on state and federal dollars for our system,” Townsend said. “In our case, where we’re not supplemented with local property taxes or other revenue, fares are an important part of being able to provide the service people expect. We’re not in it to make money. That money is going to go right back into the system.”

Townsend said CET’s goal is to keep the system affordable for riders who rely most on it.

“If you qualify for a reduced fare — which about 75 percent of our riders will — it’s $1 a trip, capped at $3 a day,” he said. “We're hoping that it still provides the service that people need, but we're also hoping they make choices around combining trips and things like that, which then allows us to provide more service to other people who may need it."

To help offset costs for riders facing financial barriers, CET is launching the Central Oregon Community Movement Fund in January. The fund will help subsidize transit passes for low-income riders who rely on CET for work, school, healthcare, groceries, and other essential services. All sponsorship dollars will go directly toward rider fare support, distributing passes to local nonprofits and social service partners.

Those interested in supporting the fund can contact Andrea Wasilew at awasilew@coic.org for more information or to donate.

Rider education will also be an important part of the transition. All CET bus drivers will receive standardized training and a script by January 1, when the CET GO app goes live. Each bus will display large posters with step-by-step instructions and a QR code for sign-up, and drivers will carry informational cards to hand out as takeaways for passengers.

In January, CET will host a series of Transit 101 and CET GO Pass Enrollment pop-up events in partnership with local libraries and community organizations. Riders can sign up for CET GO passes, learn how the new system works, ask questions, and participate in hands-on training with staff. Confirmed event dates and locations include:

Jan. 7, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Downtown Bend Library, 601 NW Wall St.
Jan. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crook County Library, 175 NW Meadowlakes Dr., Prineville
Jan. 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Redmond Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 in Warm Springs (locations and times to be announced)
Jan. 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oregon State University-Cascades campus

Transit officials hope these events will give riders a chance to get comfortable with the new system in advance of fares returning. Townsend said the change is about balance — keeping transit affordable while ensuring its future.

"When you pay for a service, there's a certain expectation. There's a certain rider expectation, a certain expectation from us as a service provider...So hopefully this will just upgrade our whole system," he added.