Getting around the Warm Springs Reservation just got easier. Cascades East Transit (CET) launched a new Jefferson County bus route on May 5, 2026, extending existing service between Madras and Warm Springs all the way to Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort and the community of Simnasho.
The new route is designed to improve access to employment, healthcare, essential services, and recreation for reservation residents who rely on public transit — particularly in a county with limited transportation options.
Why This Matters for Jefferson County
The Warm Springs Reservation is a vast, spread-out landscape. Kah-Nee-Ta and Simnasho are located well north of the main Warm Springs community, making them difficult to access without a vehicle. For tribal members working at Kah-Nee-Ta, attending health appointments, or living in Simnasho and needing to reach services in Madras, the previous gap in transit coverage was a real barrier.
The expanded route closes that gap, connecting two of Central Oregon's most geographically distinct communities — Madras and the upper Warm Springs Reservation — into a single continuous transit corridor.
Part of a Broader CET Expansion
The Jefferson County route expansion is part of a wider set of CET service improvements that took effect in early May 2026. Systemwide, CET increased frequency on its busiest Bend corridors — Routes 1 and 4 on 3rd Street now run every 15 minutes during peak hours, down from 30 minutes — and added a new stop at the Central Library in Bend beginning May 11.
"Our goal is to make transit easy to understand and accessible for everyone in our community," said Andrea Wasilew, CET's Outreach and Engagement Administrator. "Through ongoing outreach and partnerships, we're connecting with riders where they are — supporting seniors, people with disabilities, and rural residents in accessing transportation and staying connected to essential services."
How to Ride
Current route and schedule information is available at CascadesEastTransit.com or by calling CET's Customer Service Center at 541-385-8680. Updated schedules are also being posted at bus stops throughout the service area.
The new Kah-Nee-Ta and Simnasho connection is a meaningful step toward better regional connectivity — and it arrives just as Kah-Nee-Ta enters its busy summer season and the Plateau Travel Plaza prepares for a major July 11 grand opening.