Route begins March 17 at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport; open house and free rides scheduled for March 21

Rogue Valley Transportation District officials will kick off a new route on Monday, March 17, connecting the west side of Central Point with local businesses, medical facilities, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport airport and other areas previously not accessible via city bus.

RVTD Route 41 will begin at the Medford airport and travel along Table Rock Road, serving neighborhoods along Hamrick Road and near Don Jones Park.

The route will then cross over to west Central Point, traveling along Freeman Road and Beall Lane before turning north on Highway 99 to Providence Medford Medical Center, then continuing to the Twin Creeks Neighborhood, making stops at Twin Creeks Park, Scenic Middie and Crater High schools, before looping back east to the airport.

Public Works Director Matt Samitore said city officials were appreciative of the added route to help residents get where they need to go. Samitore called the new route “a significant enhancement to our community’s transportation infrastructure.”

“This expanded service, connecting the west side of Central Point with key destinations like Costco and the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, will provide residents with increased accessibility and mobility,” he said.

“We are confident this route will greatly improve the daily lives of our citizens, offering a convenient and reliable transportation option for shopping, travel, and everyday errands, further strengthening our community connections.”

Route 41 will operate hourly from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The addition of Route 41, which will provide long-needed connections to Route 40 and 61, is funded through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) “transit payroll tax,” established by the Legislature through House Bill 2017 in 2019.

RVTD, which marks 50 years in service this year, has launched five new routes since 2019, including Routes 1X, 63, 26, 27, and 17, as well as enhanced service on Route 24, which serves Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.

Route 41 will be the final route to be added utilizing STIF resources until future allocations are made.

To celebrate the launch of Route 41, RVTD will host an event at the Twin Creeks Park Band Shell from 4-6 p.m., Friday, March 21. RVTD officials will be on hand to offer trip planning assistance and answer other questions.

In a special promotion, Route 41 will be free to use all day Friday, March 21.

As part of its half-century milestone, RVTD will host a celebration event at its Front Street Station May 6. 

For celebration details, or route info, check the RVTD website, rvtd.org.