Hunter Nelms (right) testifies about the Lane Transit District discount pass program for the Restored Connections Peer Center in Eugene.

As the Lane Events Center in Eugene was loading in carnival rides and vendors for the Lane County Fair, legislators from the Joint Committee on Transportation and local elected officials from the region gathered to hear about transportation needs and funding from dozens of community members.

Among the community members was Hunter Nelms, a formerly incarcerated individual who is in long term recovery from substance abuse. He now is a peer supervisor at Restored Connections Peer Center in Eugene that serves others with substance abuse issues and face challenges with transportation.

"Thanks to the non profit bus passes and day passes from the Lane Transit District, those we serve are able to get to job interviews, work shifts, substance use disorder treatment, therapy, and visits with their children," said Nelms.

He went on to describe an individual who came into the program struggling with substance abuse and because of support from Lane Transit District, is now one of the leaders in the program.

"That's just one of many successes made possible by public transportation," said Nelms.

Carolyn Oakley (center) testifies about how transit helps seniors get out of their homes in the Linn County area at the committee's hearing in Albany.

Similar sentiments were heard at the Linn-Benton Community College campus in Albany by the committee, including from one of their former peers who now uses transit.

Former State Rep. Carolyn Oakley, who served in the legislature from 1989 to 1999, said she has used public transit and the Paratransit Call a Ride service in Albany for 10 years.

"Transit allows seniors to get out of their homes, visit their friends, have a meal at a restaurant, places of employment, and medical appointments," said Oakley. "Sitting at home is not healthy."

She went on to praise transit drivers, saying "We have great drivers, they are amazing. They are sensitive to needs of dialysis patients going to the clinic three days a week which is very tough for those patients."

As her two-minute timer went off, Oakley put in the last word to the committee.

"I love public transportation," said Oakley.

The stories at these hearings will help legislators shape what is expected to be a large transportation funding package during the 2025 session. The last transportation package, passed in 2017, created a statewide payroll tax to fund the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund, sending approximately $100 million annually to public transit providers.

Agency members of the Oregon Transit Association have been actively engaged in the roadshow, which has eight more stops spanning from Coos Bay to Ontario to Hillsboro between now and the end of September. Agencies have provided busses, engaged with legislators during community roundtables, and have testified at the public hearings. OTA encourages agencies near the roadshow stops to engage with the committee and has developed a roadshow guide for how to do so. The guide was sent to transit directors last week and is available on the Members Only area of the website.

The committee continues its tour Aug. 7 in Coos Bay and Aug. 8 in Medford. Additional stops include: Aug. 28 in Ontario, Aug. 29 in Hermiston, Sept. 12 in Bend, Sept. 13 in The Dalles, Sept. 25 in Salem, Sept. 26 in Happy Valley, and Sept. 27 in Hillsboro.