Rural Pilot Programs Background & Summary of Changes

On July 1, 2025, transit service for rural South Lane County will change. The Metro Shuttle service is provided by a grant-funded pilot project which ends on June 30, 2025.

New grant funding will support a separate two-year pilot project. This begins on July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2027. This pilot will still serve rural South Lane County, while expanding to the county’s additional rural areas. There will be less service in South Lane, and changes to how services work.

LTD expects to provide two days of service to South Lane County residents, down from the current five. Riders will also not be transported directly into the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. Beginning July 1, riders will be transported to Cottage Grove, where they can transfer to LTD’s regular Route 98 bus service to Eugene.

South Lane Wheels Pre-Scheduled Origin-to- Destination service operating within Cottage Grove and Creswell is also a grant-funded pilot project ending on June 30. In response, LTD will significantly increase services on the LTD Connector (also known as the Cottage Grove Connector), an on-demand shuttle operating within the city of Cottage Grove.

Summary of Existing & New Services in South Lane County

Metro Shuttle

The Metro Shuttle service provides prescheduled origin-to-destination transportation for rural South Lane residents, currently operating five days per week. This pilot program ends on June 30, 2025.

Rural Lane County Shuttle Pilot

The Rural Lane County Shuttle will be similar to Metro Shuttle, but with an expanded reach. This new pilot will operate in South Lane County two days per week, then be in two separate rural communities for the other days of operation. This is a new two-year pilot that will run from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027.

South Lane Wheels Origin-to-Destination

The South Lane Wheels Origin-to-Destination service offers pre-scheduled service to residents within the city limits of Cottage Grove and Creswell. This pilot program ends on June 30, 2025.

LTD Connector (also known as the Cottage Grove Connector)

The LTD Connector provides on-demand service (not pre-scheduled) within Cottage Grove.

LTD Route 98

Through Route 98, LTD provides neighborhood route bus service connecting Cottage Grove, Creswell, and the Eugene-Springfield metro area seven days per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Download the FAQ (PDF)

Why is the Metro Shuttle pilot changing?

The Metro Shuttle was designed as a two-year pilot funded through a State of Oregon grant specifically intended to “try out” new transportation options. Funding expires on June 30, 2025 which means the pilot ends. LTD was awarded new State of Oregon funds to implement a Rural Lane County Shuttle pilot to provide pre-scheduled service similar to the Metro Shuttle. This new pilot begins on July 1, 2025 and concludes on June 30, 2027.

Can’t LTD just use the new State of Oregon funds to keep the Metro Shuttle going?

The state funds have specific rules attached to their usage – one rule is that while these funds do support a wide variety of project types, they cannot be used to fund ongoing operations.

How did LTD determine which rural areas to serve as part of the new pilot?

The pilot that expands the reach of the Metro Shuttle will provide one to two days of service per week in three different communities — South Lane, Highway 36 between Mapleton and Deadwood, and Mohawk Valley. The areas served by this pilot were selected because the greatest number of community members will see improved access to public transit. This, in turn, creates and enhances connections to jobs, healthcare, education, and other essential resources. LTD used a locally-created transit plan to pick the areas for the pilot. This plan is the result of significant community outreach including live events and online surveys to find the spots in Lane County that are unserved or underserved by public transportation.

I use the Metro Shuttle to reach destinations in Cottage Grove. How will I be impacted?

Metro Shuttle, a two-year pilot, has operated five days per week in South Lane. The new Rural Lane County Shuttle pilot will operate in South Lane two days per week. Riders will need to adjust appointment times to align with the days the new pilot operates. There may be times when Metro Shuttle riders are without a public transportation option.

I use the Metro Shuttle to get to the Eugene-Springfield metro area. How will I be impacted?

The new pilot will only provide connections to destinations within Cottage Grove. Riders can transfer to LTD’s Route 98 to Eugene.

Can current Metro Shuttle riders provide input on the new pilot?

All Metro Shuttle riders will receive a survey by mail, or from their Metro Shuttle operator, in March 2025. Survey responses will help identify services riders need to access and help inform which days the new pilot will operate in South Lane.

How will residents of rural Lane County benefit from the new pilot?

The new pilot is a public transportation option to two communities that currently have none — Highway 36 between Mapleton and Deadwood, and Mohawk Valley. This service will connect these residents to vital services such as jobs, prescription drugs, and healthy food.

How will the service change when the new pilot ends in June 2027?

The pilot is funded through June 30, 2027. At its conclusion, the service may continue or change. This depends on how the new service does and available funding.

Why is the South Lane Wheels Origin-to-Destination service changing?

This service was designed as a pilot program, funded through a State of Oregon grant program specifically intended to try out new transportation options. Funding runs out and the pilot ends on June 30, 2025. LTD currently runs an ondemand service, the LTD Connector, that serves a similar geographic area.

How will current South Lane Wheels Origin-to-Destination riders be impacted?

Riders who enjoyed the convenience of pre-scheduled trips on the South Lane Wheels Origin-to-Destination service can use the LTD Connector, an on-demand service, to reach the same destinations within Cottage Grove. Since the LTD Connector is not pre-scheduled, wait times are impacted by demand and capacity. However, LTD plans to significantly expand the LTD Connector, improving capacity and reliability while lowering wait times.