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WTA’s Wednesday service shutdown was the first in nearly 30 years

Icy Whatcom County roads, stuck buses called for rare solution

Jan. 18, 2024 11:21 a.m.
Updated Jan. 18, 2024 4:07 p.m.

By Charlotte Alden General Assignment/Enterprise Reporter

The heavy snow that dropped on Bellingham on Wednesday, Jan. 17 meant a first in 30 years for the Whatcom Transportation Authority: a service shutdown. Just before noon Wednesday, WTA announced that all buses would cease operation. The full shutdown was needed as road conditions worsened, and buses continued to get stuck in the snow or ended up getting stacked up behind other stuck vehicles, said Maureen McCarthy, WTA director of community and government relations. Fifteen buses got stu