Ben Franklin Transit
Ben Franklin Transit is a public transit authority serving Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington's Tri-Cities area, operating 30+ fixed bus routes, ADA paratransit, on-demand rideshare, and vanpool programs for approximately 10,200 daily riders, funded by passenger fares and government grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersRichland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- Offering—
What Ben Franklin Transit does
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is a public transit authority established in 1980, serving as the designated provider of fixed-route and complementary paratransit transportation for Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State's Tri-Cities region. The agency operates approximately 30+ bus routes spanning Metro/Express, City Connector, Local, and Overload Tripper service types across five transit centers (Three Rivers, Knight Street, 22nd Avenue, West Richland, Dayton Transfer Point), supplemented by Dial-A-Ride ADA paratransit, CONNECT on-demand rideshare powered by Via technology across six zones, a Rideshare/Vanpool program for groups of 4-15 commuters, and a General Demand Service for outlying areas. Approximately 10,200 daily riders used the system as of March 2025.
The technology stack consists of GPS-enabled real-time bus tracking, two mobile applications (Transit for trip planning and real-time arrivals, MyRide for GPS-based trip planning), automated fare collection systems, ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts on all vehicles, and the Via-powered CONNECT booking platform. The agency maintains a multilingual website (English, Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese) and provides travel training services to assist new riders.
BFT's revenue model is hybrid, combining passenger fares with public funding. Fare revenue is generated through a tiered pricing structure including $1.50 cash fares, $12 ten-ride tickets, $25 monthly adult passes, $50 FREEDOM passes, and Dial-A-Ride fares ($1.50-$3.00 based on distance from fixed routes). Fares are free for youth (0-19), seniors (65+), and veterans, suppressing farebox revenue from large ridership segments. The dominant revenue stream consists of federal FTA grants, WSDOT funding (including Regional Mobility Grants and vanpool subsidies), and local government appropriations. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors with no private equity, venture capital, or individual ownership interests, consistent with its status as a municipal government entity.
Ben Franklin Transit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ben Franklin Transit
- Legal name
- Ben Franklin Transit
- Website
- https://bft.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ben Franklin Transit is a public transit authority serving Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington's Tri-Cities area, operating 30+ fixed bus routes, ADA paratransit, on-demand rideshare, and vanpool programs for approximately 10,200 daily riders, funded by passenger fares and government grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ben Franklin Transit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Transportation Services
- NAICS
- Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991)
- SIC
- Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Airport/Seaport Shuttle & Landside Connector Services (TLAFAJAE)
Keywords
Where Ben Franklin Transit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Ben Franklin Transit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Passenger Fares: Revenue from fixed-route bus fares, Dial-A-Ride paratransit fares, CONNECT rideshare fares, and vanpool fares from monthly participant contributions
- Government Funding: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) funding, and local government appropriations support transit operations and capital expenditures
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Adult Fixed Route - Monthly Pass |
| Subscription | Monthly | Adult Fixed Route - 10-Ride Ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Fixed Route - Cash Fare |
| Freemium | Monthly | Youth (0-19) |
| Freemium | Monthly | Senior (65+) |
| Freemium | Monthly | Veterans |
| Subscription | Monthly | Reduced Fare (Disabled) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dial-A-Ride |
| Subscription | Monthly | FREEDOM Pass |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CONNECT On-Demand Rideshare |
| Subscription | Monthly | Rideshare Vanpool |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Ben Franklin Transit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) operates public transportation services for the Tri-Cities metropolitan area in southeastern Washington State. The agency provides fixed-route bus service, paratransit for riders with disabilities, deviated fixed-route service, and vanpool programs for commuters traveling longer distances between cities.
Product overview
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) operates a comprehensive public transportation system serving the Tri-Cities area of Washington state. The core offering consists of fixed-route bus service with multiple route types (Metro/Express for frequent service corridors, City Connectors for inter-city travel, and Local routes for intra-city service), supplemented by demand-responsive services including Dial-A-Ride (ADA paratransit), CONNECT (on-demand rideshare), and General Demand Service for outlying areas. BFT also manages a Rideshare/Vanpool program, operates transit centers including the 22nd Avenue Transit Center, provides travel training, and offers special event shuttle services. Two mobile applications—the Transit App for trip planning and real-time arrivals, and MyRide App for trip planning with GPS tracking—enhance the rider experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CONNECT: On-demand rideshare service that connects riders to the bus network and traveling within BFT's service area in the Tri-Cities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 10,200 daily bus riders as of March 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ben Franklin Transit
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ben Franklin Transit technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Ben Franklin Transit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- City of PascocoreBFT coordinates with City of Pasco on 22nd Avenue Transit Center Improvements Project. City is part of Project Advisory Committee (PAC) providing input on design concepts and ensuring alignment with city infrastructure standards.
- Pasco School DistrictminorPasco School District participates in Project Advisory Committee for 22nd Avenue Transit Center Improvements, helping shape transit facility design near schools.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - FSC ProjectcoreWSDOT's Regional Mobility Grant partially funds Express Route 27X pilot service. WSDOT also involved in Frequent Service Corridor (FSC) study for Routes 1, 2X, and 3 accessibility improvements.
- Visit Tri-CitiesminorTourism organization participates in Project Advisory Committee for 22nd Avenue Transit Center Improvements.
- Local Business Associations and Chambers of CommerceminorLocal business organizations participate in Project Advisory Committee for 22nd Avenue Transit Center Improvements project.
- People For PeoplecorePeople For People provides regional transportation options connecting the Tri-Cities to surrounding communities and employment centers. These services expand travel opportunities for work, medical appointments, and essential trips beyond BFT's local routes.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - Travel WashingtoncoreWSDOT-funded intercity bus service linking communities across Washington state. BFT serves as connection point for Grape Line (Walla Walla/Yakima Valley), Wheat Line (Spokane/Moses Lake), and statewide intercity network.
- Via (BFT CONNECT Technology Provider)coreBFT CONNECT on-demand rideshare service uses Via technology platform for booking and routing. Available via iOS and Android apps and website portal.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - Vanpool Subsidy ProgramcoreWSDOT funds 100% of qualifying vanpool fares for state agency employees participating in public transit agency vanpool programs. Multiple state agencies have executed agreements with WSDOT for this benefit.
- Bechtel (VIT Plant Workers)minorBechtel offers subsidized rideshare rates for VIT Plant workers commuting to the facility.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ben Franklin Transit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pierce Transit: Washington state public transit agency serving Pierce County (Tacoma area) with fixed-route bus and paratransit. Comparable mid-to-large size municipal transit operator in Washington state.
- Community Transit: Larger Washington state transit agency serving Snohomish County with fixed-route bus, paratransit, and bus rapid transit (Swift). Comparable service portfolio to BFT but at significantly larger scale and population coverage.
- TriMet: Major Oregon regional transit agency operating bus, light rail (MAX), and paratransit in Portland metro. Largest Pacific Northwest transit peer, providing scale benchmark for what a successful Tri-Cities regional system could evolve toward with sustained funding.
Regional players
- Valley Transit: Washington state transit agency serving Walla Walla region with fixed-route bus and demand-response services. Smaller-scale peer serving an adjacent regional service area, connected to BFT via Grape Line intercity partnership.
- Yakima Transit: Washington state transit service serving Yakima with fixed-route bus and paratransit. Comparable small-to-mid size transit operation in a similar mid-size Washington city, connected to BFT via Travel Washington intercity network.
Direct peers
- C-TRAN: Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority serving Vancouver, WA with fixed-route bus, paratransit, and express service to Portland. Comparable mid-size Washington transit authority with similar governance structure.
- Intercity Transit: Washington state municipal transit authority serving Thurston County (Olympia area) with fixed-route bus, paratransit, and vanpool services. Comparable mid-size public transit agency in the Pacific Northwest with similar service portfolio.
- Lane Transit District: Oregon public transit district serving Eugene-Springfield metro with fixed-route bus, paratransit, and specialized services. Comparable mid-size municipal transit operator with similar funding model and multi-modal services.
- Spokane Transit Authority: Mid-size Washington state public transit authority operating fixed-route bus, paratransit, and vanpool services in the Spokane metro. Closest geographic and operational comparable to BFT with similar service mix, funding structure, and scale.
- Cherriots (Salem-Keizer Transit): Oregon municipal transit agency serving Salem-Keizer with fixed-route bus, paratransit, and on-demand services. Comparable mid-size transit operator with similar service mix and public funding model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ben Franklin Transit social profiles
Digital presenceBen Franklin Transit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ben Franklin Transit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ben Franklin Transit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ben Franklin Transit M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ben Franklin Transit
What does Ben Franklin Transit do?
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) operates public transportation services for the Tri-Cities metropolitan area in southeastern Washington State. The agency provides fixed-route bus service, paratransit for riders with disabilities, deviated fixed-route service, and vanpool programs for commuters traveling longer distances between cities.
Is Ben Franklin Transit a public or private company?
Ben Franklin Transit is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ben Franklin Transit founded?
Ben Franklin Transit was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ben Franklin Transit based?
Ben Franklin Transit is headquartered in Richland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ben Franklin Transit make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Passenger Fares are the primary driver. The others are government Funding.
Who are Ben Franklin Transit's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pierce Transit, Community Transit and TriMet. Regional players are Valley Transit and Yakima Transit. Direct peers are C-TRAN, Intercity Transit, Lane Transit District, Spokane Transit Authority and Cherriots (Salem-Keizer Transit).
Does Ben Franklin Transit have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ben Franklin Transit.
What industry is Ben Franklin Transit in?
Ben Franklin Transit's product category is Public Transportation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAJAE, Airport/Seaport Shuttle & Landside Connector Services. Its NAICS code is 485113 and its SIC code is 4100.