Frequent Service Corridor
BACKGROUND
Ben Franklin Transit deployed its first two frequent service routes on June 21, 2021. Route 1 runs from Knight Street Transit Center to Three Rivers Transit Center, travels to downtown Kennewick and East Pasco via Clearwater Avenue, and ends at the 22nd Avenue Transit Center. Route 3 connects from the 22nd Avenue Transit Center and travels through central and downtown Pasco to the Dayton Transfer Point in Kennewick. These routes connect metro areas and are considered Frequent Service Corridor (FSC) routes, providing reliable service at intervals of 15 minutes or less for most of the day. This allows for convenient transfers from other routes without the need to consult a schedule.
THE NEED TO UPDATE FSC ROUTES
FSC routes have been a great success, and BFT is now exploring ways to make these corridors even better. These routes are designed to provide premium service, which means not only reliable, frequent buses but also stops that offer comfort, are easy to recognize, and accessible to all riders.
As part of this effort, BFT has identified some challenges at certain bus stops and is working to address them so that FSC routes remain safe, convenient, and accessible for everyone.
Route 1 and 3 improvements are envisioned to include sidewalk and roadway updates for accessibility and safety, addressing notable sidewalk gaps, ADA challenges, and connectivity obstacles. One example of this is long walking distances when transferring from one route to another by crossing the street. Safe crossings, in some instances, require a walking distance of over 800 feet to the nearest accessible intersection and back to the stop on the other side of the roadway. We also seek to improve narrow or missing sidewalks that approach the bus stops and the comfort of our bus stops along these routes by improving weather protection and visibility.
FSC ROUTE STUDY
We’re studying ways to make it safer, easier, and less stressful for people to reach our frequent service bus stops. This includes reviewing sidewalks, crosswalks, and other nearby infrastructure, while working closely with cities to identify improvement opportunities.
The study began with FSC Route 1 and is now focused on Route 3. Our team has reviewed current conditions and recent ridership trends and is now meeting with city representatives to explore potential improvements, which could include:
- Filling in missing sidewalk sections
- Widening existing sidewalks
- Adding or improving crosswalks (striping, protection, or signals)
- Making stops and walkways more accessible for people with disabilities (ADA compliance)
Since many of these projects involve city infrastructure, we’re coordinating closely to ensure our plans align with city standards and long-term goals.
ROUTE 3 SURVEY LINKS
Click here for the English Survey
Click here for the Spanish Survey
ROUTE 3 PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
BFT will host a public open house at the Pasco Farmers Market at Peanuts Park (426 W. Lewis Street) on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We encourage the public to stop by and share their input on FSC programming and the potential improvements being studied for Route 3.
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
If you would like to share your ideas with us about Routes 1 and 3, please email us at FSCProject@bft.org or call BFT Customer Service at 509-735-5100.