Jefferson County residents who rely on public transit are getting more options starting Monday, June 15, when Cascades East Transit (CET) rolls out an expanded service schedule connecting Madras with Redmond and Bend.

CET announced the changes in late May, citing a commitment to improving regional transit access across Central Oregon. The Madras-area updates focus on Routes 22 and 24, which serve the corridor between Jefferson County's largest city and Redmond — the most common transit pathway for residents commuting to work, medical appointments, or connecting to Bend.

What's Changing

Beginning June 15:

  • Additional service runs are being added to Routes 22 and 24, which serve the Madras-to-Redmond corridor.
  • CET is also adding three new weekday trips between Redmond and Bend at 5:30, 6:30, and 10 a.m., improving onward connections for Jefferson County riders transferring in Redmond.
  • Modifications to Redmond's A and B Flex routes will affect how riders connect at the Redmond transit hub.

The changes are designed to reduce gaps in service and make it more practical for Madras-area residents to travel regionally without a car.

Summer Recreation Routes Also Launch

CET's summer recreation routes officially launched June 13, opening seasonal connections to outdoor destinations across Central Oregon. Route 21 — the Madras/Warm Springs/Kah-Nee-Ta/Simnasho route — launched earlier in May and continues to operate, serving tribal communities and recreation travelers along the Highway 26 corridor.

How to Plan Your Trip

Updated schedules and route maps will be available at cascadeseasttransit.com beginning June 15. CET is operated by the Deschutes County Transportation Network and serves communities across Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook counties.

Riders with questions about the new schedules or how the changes affect their commutes can contact CET customer service or visit the website for trip-planning tools.

For many Jefferson County residents — particularly those without vehicles or with limited mobility — expanded transit access is more than convenience. It's access to jobs, healthcare, and community services that are often concentrated outside Madras' city limits.