Island Transit will offer bus rides on Sunday for the first time in the agency’s history.

Starting May 29, residents will be able to catch a ride on Island Transit buses every day of the week.

“These service improvements help essential workers, riders who have no other transportation choice, seniors, disabled and those who seek to reduce their carbon footprint and want a convenient alternative to traveling alone in their vehicles,” said Executive Director Todd Morrow in a press release.

Marketing and Communications Officer Selene Muldowney-Stratton said the service runs like any other fixed route service except the 411W route turns around at Deception Pass Park on Sunday.

The News-Times reported in early 2018 that the agency was resuming Saturday service after four years of only week day service due to financial trouble.

Sunday service is one aspect of Island Transit’s recent expansion efforts.

Earlier this year, the agency began offering on-demand service in northwest Oak Harbor and expanded on-demand rides specifically for Navy personnel. On-demand service means residents can order a bus ride anytime from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and be picked up and dropped off from 16 designated stops on a route in Oak Harbor.

For those who work at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, there are a total of 71 pick-up and drop-off locations to and from the base in the morning and afternoon hours.

In addition to the new Sunday service, Island Transit is also offering a seasonal Central Whidbey state parks route to Fort Ebey, Ebey’s Landing and Fort Casey State Parks. This service will run yearly beginning May 30 through Sept. 3 of this year.

“It makes the parks more accessible to those who may not own a car or prefer not to drive,” Muldowney-Stratton said. “It also helps in minimizing traffic and parking congestion.”

For more information, visit islandtransit.org.

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