Decision to cancel bus routes

Officers monitor road conditions, make recommendations early

An+electric-hybrid+bus+parked+March+7%2C+2017+on+the+mall.+The+Regional+Mobility+Grant+would+allow+Pullman+Transit+to+purchase+three+fully-electric+buses+by+2021.

LUKE HOLISTER | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

An electric-hybrid bus parked March 7, 2017 on the mall. The Regional Mobility Grant would allow Pullman Transit to purchase three fully-electric buses by 2021.

HANNAH WELZBACKER, Evergreen reporter

Pullman Transit sends a transit safety and training officer to monitor road conditions in cases of inclement weather, said Pullman Transit Manager Wayne Thompson.

They start driving at 4 a.m. and report back to Thompson by 4:20 a.m. with road statuses, weather conditions and plowing projections.

“Based on that, I let the Pullman School District and WSU know our intentions, our recommendations,” Thompson said.

That recommendation, along with the school’s decision to delay or close, informs Pullman Transit on how to proceed with route cancellations or delays, he said.

Thompson recommends students download the mobile app from the transit website, to receive immediate push notifications of any route cancellations or delays. There will also be a post on the top of their website page; however, the app is updated on a faster basis.

The buses run by the transit system are capable in light to moderate snow and do not use chains, Thompson said.

“If it becomes slick to the point the drivers think it is dangerous, we think it is time to pull the buses off route rather than try to work with chains,” Thompson said.