About Link Transit

The Chelan-Douglas PTBA (Link Transit) Board of Directors consists of 12 voting members who are local elected officials and one non-voting labor representative.  The governing Board includes a representative from each city within Link’s district:  Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan, Entiat, Waterville, Rock Island, Leavenworth, and Cashmere; two representatives from both Douglas County and Chelan County; and consistent with state law, Link Transit has a non-voting board member who is a representative of the agency’s bus operator’s union.  

Since the system’s inception, the Board has been and continues to be committed to building and maintaining a first-class system that makes riding transit a safe and enjoyable experience that is accessible to all.  Special attention is given to keep Link Transit compliant with the rules and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  

Managing the day-to day-operations of the System, Link’s executive management team is headed by Chief Executive Officer Nick Covey who was hired in 2023.  Working with the CEO, the executive management team includes six department managers: finance, planning and development, operations, administrative services, vehicle and facilities maintenance and information technology.  

Link Transit began operating public transportation services on December 16, 1991, after voters approved a 0.4% sales and use tax funding level in September 1990.  Twenty-eight years later, on August 6, 2019, the voters approved a proposition to increase Link’s sales tax appropriation by 0.2%.  This phased increase began January 1, 2020, with a 0.1% increase. On January 1, 2024, the second 0.1% increase became effective.

The Board-adopted 2024 Operating Budget is $27,938,049.  The 2024 Capital Budget totals $22,756,704. The primary focus and goal is continued sustainability and implementation of Link Transit’s Vision 2020 Expansion Plan, which was approved by local voters in August 2019.  Plan summary:  

Link Transit coordinates with the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council and other local jurisdictions in Link’s service area to integrate public transportation into the regional transportation system as a full mobility partner.   

Days of Service:  Most Link service operates Monday – Sunday.

Routes Operated:  Link Transit currently operates 12 routes within the Wenatchee/East Wenatchee urban area, with all routes operating seven days a week. Weekday hours are roughly 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., with some routes operating shorter hours. On weekends, the hours of operation are about 8 a.m. – 6 a.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Intercity regional services are also provided with six routes operating Monday – Sunday.  

Link also operates two dial-a-ride (DART) routes, one in Leavenworth and one in Chelan, and seasonal service to Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort.

Link Transit provides LinkPlus paratransit services within ¾ miles of the fixed routes to persons with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route service.   

Link’s services provide access to ten (10) park & ride lots located throughout its service area in the communities of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Peshastin, Cashmere, Entiat, and Chelan.  Link’s routes either travel by or are within ¼ mile of all the public schools in its service area; Link Transit also provides service to Wenatchee Valley College.   

Fares:  All Link Transit service is now zero-fare.