Bus to Pool Begins June 17th

Yakima Transit and Yakima Parks and Recreation are again teaming up to make it easier for swimmers to use Franklin Pool and Lions Pool this summer thanks to the Bus to Pool Program.

Starting Friday, June 17th, and continuing through August 20th, paying to swim in one of Yakima’s two City-owned pools or the YMCA Rotary Aquatic Center entitles the purchaser to a special Yakima Transit bus pass at no cost to and from the pools. The pools will be responsible for distributing Bus-to-Pools tickets to passengers.

Also, beginning Thursday, June 23rd, bus service direct to Franklin Pool will be provided from Kissel Park, 1525 South 32nd Avenue. At 12:30 pm, the bus will leave from Kissel Park and head to Franklin Pool. The bus will also pick up passengers on the way along Mead Avenue and 32nd Avenue eastbound.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” said Yakima Transit Manager Alvie Maxey. “Bus ridership is lower in the summertime when school is out, so there are seats available to handle swimmers. We like to be involved in programs that increase bus ridership and, hopefully, get more people in the habit of hopping on the bus to get where they want to go. It’s a natural partnership between Yakima Transit and Yakima Parks and Rec,” said Maxey.

A lack of transportation often prevents kids and adults from being able to swim as much as they would like during the summer months.  “This helps solve that problem,” says Yakima Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson. “We are very excited about the opportunity to increase the number of people utilizing our pools.”

Additional bus information is available on the Yakima Transit website at https://yakimatransit.org/ or by calling 509-575-6175.

Visit http://www.yakimaparks.com/aquatics/ for more about City of Yakima swimming programs. Franklin Pool can be reached at 509-575-6035.