A new partnership between Pacific Crest Bus Lines and Megabus is bringing bus service between two dozen cities across Oregon and Northern California.

Oregonians have long depended on their own wheels when traveling between cities, or on the limited service offered by Greyhound and Flixbus. This can be surprising to newcomers, who expect the well-developed bus infrastructures of other U.S. regions, where hopping on a bus is commonplace, even among car owners. But self-transportation is increasingly untenable for many Oregonians, as the cost of living has jumped by roughly 13% in the last two years. Oregonians also pay more at the pump: The average price of a regular gallon of gas in Oregon is $4.68, according to AAA, which is $.84 per gallon higher than today's national average.

Pacific Crest is a regional operator in four dozen Pacific Northwest cities, and Megabus has stops in 500 American cities. Their new route map includes:

• Daily service from Portland (stops at Union Station and Portland International Airport) to: Bend, Sisters and Salem
• Regular service from Salem to: Bend, Portland, and Sisters
• Regular service between Eugene to: Bend and Sisters
• Regular service between Bend and 13 cities: Altamont, Chemult, Chiloquin, Crescent, Gilchrist, Eugene, Klamath Falls, La Pine, Portland, Redmond, Salem, Sisters, Sunriver
• Expanded service to cities including: 
  
  • Southern Oregon: Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland
  • Central Cascades: Altamont, Bend, Chiloquin, Chemult, La Pine, Sunriver, and Sisters
  • South Coast: Brookings
  • California: Crescent City, Smith River

The expanded service will be of particular benefit to backpackers and thru-hikers looking to reach remote areas at the beginning or end of their journeys without the hassle of coordinating a ride or parking a vehicle. Public bussing already connects coastal towns like Cannon Beach, Astoria and Seaside. 

Pacific President Anthony Ferro said in a press release that the partnership "now spans an extensive network of destinations, catering to the diverse needs of travelers."

Trips can be booked at Megabus.