County seeks new transit funding following successful 99 Vine pilot project
Benton County is calling the 99 Vine bus service pilot project, which ended June 30, a definite success. After testing a new bus route along the 99 West corridor for seven months, the County has data demonstrating the demand for future service connecting local cities with Eugene.
The pilot launched in November 2025 as a partnership between Benton and Yamhill Counties. It was supported by the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, with funding from the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) discretionary program.
The pilot route started in McMinnville with stops along Highway 99 in Amity, Rickreall, Monmouth, Adair Village, Downtown Corvallis, OSU, Monroe, Junction City and Eugene, including Eugene Airport and Amtrak station and the University of Oregon campus.
Benton and Yamhill Counties contracted with Pacific Crest Bus Lines to provide the fareless service. Buses made four trips in each direction every weekday.
The pilot route was designed with multiple age groups in mind. It connected people in small communities to more opportunities. Islands of service in rural communities were connected into a more robust, user-friendly transit system.
Limited service continuing throughout fiscal year 2027
Pacific Crest will continue to provide one ticketed trip per day, seven days a week, on a modified 99 Vine route. Originating in Coburg before passing through Eugene, it now extends north to Union Station in Portland on Highway 47. Fares, schedules and stop information are available at 99vinebus.com.
Planning for future service
Ridership data collected during the seven-month pilot show strong use of the bus service, with the greatest number of riders on Fridays. The most popular stop on the route was at Oregon State University in Corvallis. The segment of the route connecting Corvallis with other transportation — Eugene Airport, Amtrak and Transit (LTD) — was used heavily.
Benton County will use these data to guide the development of future bus service. The County has applied for state funding to provide service on a similar route starting July 1, 2027. The results of the application should be known by the end of December.
If the service is funded, it will operate under a new name, as Pacific Crest will continue to use the name 99 Vine over the next two years.