Travel Washington Intercity Bus
This intercity bus service connects rural communities to major transportation hubs and urban centers; fills gaps in the public transportation network; and makes travel more accessible, reliable and convenient.
Travel Washington typically provides more than 30,000 trips per year, serving some of the most rural parts of the state. Four Travel Washington bus routes contribute to the statewide intercity bus network map (PDF 1MB).
Intercity bus lines
- Grape Line
As the Travel Washington's premiere route since 2007, the Grape Line offers service between Walla Walla and Pasco, and connects passengers with Greyhound, Amtrak, Ben Franklin Transit and Valley Transit - Dungeness Line
Serving the Olympic Peninsula, the Dungeness Line connects people in Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport with links to Greyhound, Amtrak, and Washington state ferries to Seattle and Victoria, B.C. - Apple Line
The Apple Line follows a 160-mile route through Omak, Ellensburg and Wenatchee with connections to Amtrak, Northwestern Trailways and Greyhound - Gold Line
Since 2010, the Gold Line runs twice daily along US 395 to Spokane and key transit hubs, including Spokane International Airport
WSDOT contracts with private bus operators to provide intercity bus service. The Federal Transit Administration provides funding for the program under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas 5311 program. Through a public-private partnership, private operators provide in-kind match by way of applying the value of unsubsidized connecting intercity bus service. The Travel Washington intercity bus network hopes to continue to expand as more funding becomes available.
Travel Washington Intercity Bus Program Study
The Travel Washington Intercity Bus 2024 Study Update (PDF 14.1MB) evaluated existing intercity bus service and conducted a feasibility study to determine where potential service expansion or new service will be most cost-effective. This was done while addressing the goal of linking rural areas and restoring meaningful connections to the existing intercity network. Take a look at the Travel Washington Intercity Bus 2024 Study Update Executive Summary (PDF 5MB) for a quick deep dive into the results.
Travel Washington Intercity Bus Contracts
| Line | Route | Service Provider | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Omak, Wenatchee, Ellensburg | Northwest Trailways | $4,631,008 (2024-2028) |
| Dungeness | Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Seattle, SeaTac | Greyhound | $2,220,108 (2024-2025)* |
| Gold | Kettle Falls, Deer Park, Spokane | Belair Charters via Central Washington Airporter | $4,877,200 (2023-2027) |
| Grape | Walla Walla, Touchet, Pasco | Belair Charters via Central Washington Airporter | $4,616,640 (2023-2027) |
*Contract going out for bid spring of 2025.
Awards
This table shows four new 2023-2025 Travel Washington Intercity Bus projects awarded $7.5 million in federal stimulus funds to rebuild services cut during the pandemic.
| Organization | County/counties | Project title | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWA, Inc. | Franklin, King, Yakima | Restoring Intercity Bus service along I-82 in Eastern Washington | $560,000 |
| Greyhound Lines, Inc. | Clallam, Jefferson, King | Maintaining current service and rebuilding the network | $4,777,679 |
| Northwestern Stage Lines, Inc. | King, Pierce, Spokane | Add a night run on the Spokane/Seattle/Tacoma route | $1,388,160 |
| NWSBW, LLC | King, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane | Intercity bus service between Omak and Ellensburg, Seattle and Spokane/Everett/Tacoma with connections to Boise, ID | $777,762 |
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Slow down on ice and snow.
It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.
Carry chains, practice installing them.
Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.
Pack your winter car kit.
Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.