Lowering Costs and Stress on the Linn-Benton Loop

 

Photo Courtesy of Albany Transit website

HEADLINE: Lowering Costs and Stress on the Linn-Benton Loop

BYLINE: Mike McReynolds


Congratulations on taking the big step of furthering your education. Taking the first steps towards becoming an adult can be stressful, but don’t be scared.


If you have a car or some other form of transportation, you know the cost it entails maintaining and fueling that vehicle so you can get to your classes on time. Here is one way to relieve that stress with an alternative to driving.

  

The Linn-Benton Loop is a fareless transportation service between Albany and Corvallis, running Monday through Friday. It starts at 6:55 a.m. from LBCC. There are three different routes to choose from that may fit your schedule and location. The Loop picks up and drops off near the Benton Center as well as the OSU campus in Corvallis. 


You will be getting tons of advice in college. Some good, some bad. Now comes mine. After starting college again following a 40-year break, this is what I know is the most important advice concerning relieving stress and saving you money. 


Maybe you are living away from home for the first time, or are still living at home but you want to be more independent by taking responsibility for your own expenses. Whether you have a car or not, you probably want to save money while not adding to global warming. 


If you live in the Albany/Corvallis area, the Linn-Benton Loop can provide a solution. It will take some planning on your part, but once you figure out your schedule, make sure you give yourself enough time so you can handle any hiccups. 

This piece of advice helped me be on time for every class last year. There is no reason to have the stress of driving, finding a parking spot, having enough gas, and focusing on the road and other drivers.

I used the Linn-Benton Loop from Corvallis all of last year. I gave myself at least an hour and a half to get to the Corvallis Transit Center to catch my ride to LBCC’s Albany campus. It gave me time to relax because there is a bus about every 30 minutes. I’d go to Roast Runners on campus to have a coffee and do some last-minute studying, or finish a project before going to class.

I did some of the work for you by adding the links to the Loop schedule for the Corvallis and Albany Transit System schedules. So, let me be the first one to give you some homework. It will be worth it when you’re done. Whether you live in Corvallis or Albany, the buses are free.

Find the bus route nearest to your residence by going to this website: www.corvallisoregon.gov/cts/page/bus-schedules 

If you live in Albany, the Heart to Hub and bus route “D” goes out to Linn-Benton Community College from the downtown transit center/train station.

To find the schedule to be able to catch the bus to the Albany Transit Center to transfer to the “D” bus go to this website: albanyoregon.gov/transportation/albany-transit-system

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