Nov. 24, 2020
FlixBus to Resume Service from West Side to Ellensburg in January
Central Washington University students who want to travel to and from the west side of the state will have a safe, affordable option in January.
FlixBus, the low-cost, environmentally conscious transportation service that expanded to the Northwest last fall, will be resuming a number of temporarily suspended routes in early 2021, including one from the Puget Sound area to Ellensburg.
The company announced last week that it will be offering trips over Interstate 90 from January 1-5 and January 15-18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend). Departure times haven’t been made official, but an early morning departure from Seattle is expected, with return trips from Ellensburg available later in the day.
“We are happy to hear FlixBus is returning to Ellensburg after a successful introduction to our community last fall,” said Rick Duffett, CWU’s interim vice president of Operations. “We have a lot of students who need transportation to and from the Puget Sound area, and we are glad they will have a safe, affordable alternative this winter.”
FlixBus paused all of its Northwest routes last spring due to COVID-19 concerns, but it recently resumed service along the Interstate 5 corridor, including a stop at Sea-Tac International Airport. The Germany-based company said it is also looking forward to returning to Ellensburg.
“We feel it’s important to give local residents and CWU students an affordable travel option during a time where transportation may already be limited as it is,” said Jeffrey Lane, head of business development for FlixBus. “Whether it’s a weekend escape to reconnect with a loved one or a visit home to check on family, we're ready to get you there safely in an affordable and sustainable manner.”
Lane added that the safety and well-being of FlixBus customers, drivers, employees, and the communities it serves is a top priority. In response to COVID-19, the company has implemented stringent safety measures, such as conducting temperature checks, requiring face coverings at all times, and thoroughly sanitizing surfaces. More information about FlixBus safety guidelines can be found here.
FlixBus’ January route schedules will be available soon at flixbus.com and on the FlixBus smartphone app for iOS and Android.
The Ellensburg FlixBus stop is located at 900 E. 10th Ave., on the yellow curbside north of Starbucks and adjacent to the entrance to the CWU parking lot on University Avenue.
Media contact: David Leder, Department of Public Affairs, David.Leder@cwu.edu, 509-963-1518.