Our History

In 1980 a group of individuals determined to find a solution to the transportation needs of area residents, researched ways to establish a transit system that would help people get back and forth to work. With the help of some very determined area leaders and a representative from the Department of Transportation, Bay Area Rural Transit was born in 1981. 

• In 1981 Bay Area Rural Transit first began with only two Routes, Route 1 (Red Cliff to Ashland) and Route 2 (Ashland to Odanah). 
• In 2006 BART took over operations for the Washburn Blue Goose. 
• ​In 2009 BART added Route 8 (City of Ashland) and Route 6 (Mellen) services. 
• In the Summer of 2013, BART moved into its new building at 2216 East 6th Street. 
• In 2016 BART began its first service in Price County with Route 11 (Park Falls). 
• In 2018 BART expanded service to Price County with Route 12 (Phillips).    
  
• In 2020 BART expanded service in Price County with Routes 16 and 17. These routes operate Monday through Saturday and travel between Phillips/Park Falls and Minocqua.