In the 1980’s, local public transit was operated by individual senior centers along the southern Oregon Coast.
In 1997, Chetco Senior Center in Brookings contracted with the Curry County Board of Commissioners to take over all individually-operated systems within Curry County for the benefit of Curry County residents, creating Curry Public Transit.
In 1999 an inter-city service was added, and later merged with the Coos County Area Transportation to create the Coastal Express service, extending transport from Brookings to North Bend. In July, 2007, Coastal Express extended into Smith River, connecting with Redwood Coast Transit, enabling travelers to continue south to Eureka and San Francisco.
In 2006 Curry Public Transit, Inc. became a separate 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. With a fleet of eleven buses and two vans, owned by Curry County for use by CPTI, Curry Public Transit provides intra- and inter-city transportation for older adults, persons with disabilities, students and the general public. CPTI contracts with various public agencies and hospitals to provide medical transportation. Funding for all services is primarily financed by federal and state grants.
Staff:
It takes the efforts of a lot of people for Curry Public Transit to fulfill its mission. From the general manager, board members, bookkeeper, and dispatchers who are rarely seen to the drivers who make contact with passengers on a daily basis. The faces of CPTI are those you see when you ride the bus, those whose voices you hear when you call to schedule a ride, and those who just add their efforts with little or no contact with the people they ultimately serve – our passengers.
The General Manager, Kathryn Bernhardt, spearheads the administrative functions of Curry Public Transit and works with the advice and support of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors includes President Dan Palicki, Vice President Joanne Wasbauer, Secretary Loretta Goutermont, Treasurer Eleanor Cook and Board Members Bill Hamilton, Verdell Wright and Carol Bayne. The Board meets monthly at 412 Alder Street in Brookings. All meetings are open to the public. Please call for a schedule and agenda.
If you are interested in becoming a board member, please feel free to contact us at the information listed below.
Curry Public Transit may be contacted for additional information through any of the following means:
Telephone: Office/Dispatch hours are 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 3:30pm Saturdays —
541-412-8806 or 1-541-921-2871
Mail: Curry Public Transit, P. O. Box 1771, Brookings, Oregon 97415.
Fax: 541-412-8255
Email: [email protected]
In Person: CPTI offices are located at 412 Alder Street in Brookings (behind Dairy Queen). Office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
There is no service available on Sundays or major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following day, and Christmas). Limited service for special community events.