Bus service to the popular tourist attraction will be tested this summer.
BY JACOB PALMER | OB DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
The Deschutes National Forest and Cascades East Transit are teaming up to provide a shuttle that will take visitors up to the top of Lava Butte.
The Bend Bulletin has the story:
“It gives a bit more freedom to the visitor in a number of ways,” said Scott McBride, manager of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in the Deschutes National Forest. Lava Butte, which at 5,023 feet offers a panoramic view of the Central Oregon volcanoes on a clear day, is one of the feature attractions of the monument.
While the shuttle is in operation, the U.S. Forest Service would not allow people to drive up Lava Butte, he said, potentially encouraging more walkers and cyclists to go up. As an added incentive for nonmotorized scaling of the butte, the shuttle would cost $1.50 for the ride up but be free for the ride down.
Oregon Business editor Linda Baker wrote about the need for more public transportation to Oregon’s natural wonders earlier this month. Read her story here.
