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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW OHSU opens rural 'hub' campus in Klamath Falls ... Portland dispensary fined $2,500 for handing out products in parking lot ... Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... OHSU opens rural 'hub' campus in Klamath Falls ... Portland dispensary fined $2,500 for handing out products in parking lot ... Surveillance video captures Medford surgery center thief ... ANNIVERSARY RVTD notes 40 years of providing transit options Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 15, 2015 at 5:33 PM Updated Oct 15, 2015 at 5:34 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 15, 2015 at 5:33 PM Updated Oct 15, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Social News Born at a time when crude oil prices nearly quadrupled, the Rogue Valley Transportation District was viewed as a collective answer to runaway prices at the gas pump. RVTD marks its fourth decade as a special district, providing alternative public transit. The district was launched on a property tax of 17 cents per $1,000 in value and began operating in 1977 using vans on six routes. The vans ran every 30 minutes, six days a week. During the first year, RVTD provided 115,000 rides. The number of routes has fluctuated, numbering as many as 12 at one point. Today, RVTD covers much of the Rogue Valley, using a a fleet of CNG-powered buses on seven routes, with annual ridership approaching 1.4 million. A ceremony marking the 40th anniversary is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. today at the Front Street Station terminus between Eighth and 10th streets. The Oregon Transportation Commission and local dignitaries will be in attendance. "Forty years ago, we were experiencing gas problems in our nation," recalled RVTD General Manager Julie Brown. "There were gas lines and all kinds of things that were happening. It was during that time transit really started blossoming in Southern Oregon. The thought was if we are going to have problems being able to drive that we need to think of another way of providing services to our community." Brown said changing demographics in the region have renewed the district's role. "We're still going to that future of how do we provide transportation for our community that is meaningful and meets their needs," she said. "We now see there are young people making choices not to even have a car." Balancing funding and fare rates is always a challenge. "Our hopes in our future is to actually increase our service," Brown said. "But at this point, we're not sure what we'll be able to do. Our future looks a little bit bleak if we don't find additional funding, because we won't be able to maintain this service level." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 15, 2015 at 5:33 PM Updated Oct 15, 2015 at 5:34 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501