CTUIR Public Transit | Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

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Longstanding poverty meant that many residents of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation did not own cars, and one tribal official noted that in some cases, it was more difficult for tribal members to physically get to the job site than to find a job or housing. Through ongoing economic development efforts, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation became one of the largest employers in Eastern Oregon, but a lack of transportation options prevented tribal citizens from taking advantage of local employment opportunities and made it difficult for reservation businesses to attract employees and customers. To address this gap, the tribe created the comprehensive Confederated Tribes Public Transit program, which included both a free bus and a taxi voucher service. The program encompasses a large service area within and beyond the reservation boundaries, including other non-tribal regional transportation systems. This transit system has played a critical role in alleviating poverty, promoting stronger intergovernmental relations, and facilitating community engagement.