Cascades East Transit recovering from pandemic, seeking drivers; Bend-to-Redmond Airport bus nowhere in sight

Update: (Adding video, CET administrator comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Bend-area residents usually travel to the Redmond Airport by Uber, taxi or drive themselves. But some complain about the recently increased cost of parking at the airport, and the increased rates for Uber trips.

Redmond Taxi says an average taxi price from Bend to Redmond is anywhere from $48-$65. With the high demand for taxi rides from the company, they sometimes struggle to to pick up customers on time or at the last minute. They say in some instances, customers have demanded the company pay their parking fee.

Cascades East Transit says it has been struggling to find bus drivers since the end of the pandemic and has been unable to restore direct service from Bend to the Redmond Airport.

Derek Hofbauer, outreach and engagement administrator of CET, said Friday they can't find people to drive buses during the times most people need a ride to the airport.

He said, "6 a.m. is the peak time for when people are going to the airport, and we just don't have enough drivers who can work that time."

The Redmond City Council recently raised prices for parking at the airport from $15 to $24 a day, leading to more people wanting a bus options. Some of the funds from the price increase will go toward a major terminal upgrade and expansion project.

CET says for now, they want to focus on support for all Bend residents.

"We want to make sure that we're able to get folks to social services, get folks to work, and make sure that that commuter bus is full. And then we can start looking at the more discretionary trips." Hofbauer said.