WTA opens new Cordata Bus Station

Yes it’s true, Bellingham has grown into a two bus station town.  With the opening of its new Cordata Bus Station last week the Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) now has two bus stations.  The new Cordata Station will service the fast-growing Cordata neighborhood.  With the growth of Whatcom Community College and the area in general, it seems like a natural place for the extension of the bus system.  With lots of condos, apartments, and new homes in the area, the Cordata neighborhood is the fastest-growing Bellingham.  The Community Food Co-op has just opened their second store across the street from station, the Bellis Fair Mall is a few blocks away, as are lots of other shopping opportunities along the Guide Meridian.
According to recently released Federal Transit Administration statistics, ridership on Whatcom Transportation Authority buses has grown faster than in any other major U.S. city.
WTA is at the top of the list of the country’s 150 largest transit agencies. Those 150 agencies represent 97 percent of the nation’s transit ridership
Ridership increased 20.7 percent from July 2007 to June 2008, compared to the previous year. The 150 top agencies saw an increase of only 2.6 percent.
Can you say high gas prices. Also Western Washington University students have a new universal bus pass paid through student fees that went into effect nearly a year ago.
Increased service has helped as several new GO lines have buses running every 15 minutes.