by Richard Uhlhorn
LINK CEO Nick Covey gave a detailed presentation to Chelan City Council at its Tuesday evening council meeting. He outlined LINK’s future plans.
LINK’s CEO Nick Covey attended Chelan City Council’s meeting on Tuesday evening and gave a LINK Transit update. Covey replaced Richard DeRock last July, but was the agencies CFO and Chief of Staff before being elevated to CEO.
LINK’S 2024 Projected Revenue is $36.7 million dollars against its Expenses of $27.9 million. It plans on spending $22.7 million on Capital Projects including $20 million on a 41,250 sq. ft. enclosed bus barn and updates on the Entiat, Rock Island and Leavenworth Park and Rides and Roundabout. Manson will be getting a large Park and Ride at Leffler Field. “We have 11 Park and Rides,” said Covey.
LINK is also projected to spend $2.4 million on four new purpose ready buses for Mission Ridge and Waterville. “We have 23 EV Buses and will receive nine new ones next year.” The system also has wireless individual charging stations. Currently the EV buses can travel 130 miles on a charge, but the new ones coming in next year will be able to travel 225 miles before recharging.
History:
Covey explained to the new council that LINK began service in North Central Washington in 1991 with a 15 member board; Bob Goedde served on that board for 19 years and that liaison has gone to Mayor Erin McCardle.
“We now have the largest transit system in the State,” said Covey. Its primary bus services are Chelan and Leavenworth. “In 2023, we topped one million riders. “We see strong potential for continued growth,” he added.
Currently Chelan’s bus service begins at 4:25 a.m. with the last bus leaving at 8:25 p.m.
The agency also runs the free Chelan DART system that is available to residents seven days a week; Monday through Friday – 7:30a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LINK will be adding DART’s ‘Dial a Ride’ services to Chelan Falls and Apple Acres and is in touch with the hospital for Paratransit services.
The ever expanding transit system is offering tremendous services to the community and plans on continuing its growth in the future.
All Things Lake Chelan 