Weather delays bus travel in Grant County

COLUMBIA BASIN — Severe weather is delaying bus routes up to an hour in Grant County and causing cancelations on some routes.

“Please allow extra time for your transportation,” advised Grant Transit Authority.

Some bus routes can run 30 to 60 minutes behind schedule, Grant Transit Authority announced. The organization advised passengers to continue waiting at their stops at the designated time.

Manager Greg Wright said buses did not drive on certain roads Friday.

“Buses will not travel on Neppel, Ottmar or Cochrane while roads continue to be in the condition they are in,” Wright said Friday. “Just with the blowing snow earlier this morning, it was emergency vehicles only in specific areas of the county that we serve.”

Road conditions prevented buses from traveling Friday to Mattawa, Othello, Royal City, Wanapum Dam and Wilson Creek, confirmed dispatcher Kathy Belnap.

“That’s because of the weather today,” Belnap said. “We canceled those runs.”

Belnap said the transit authority took alternate routes instead of driving along Neppel, Ottmar and Cochrane roads Friday.

She said the driver supervisor travels roads at 4 a.m., at the latest, and determines their suitability for driving.

The supervisor then obtains administrative approval for his recommendation.

For more information on routes, call 509-765-0898, or 800-406-9177.