Pacific Transit System serves clients on routes throughout the county.

RAYMOND — Two shopper shuttles now service residents in the north county region with the newly added Tokeland shuttle. Pacific Transit System held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Fifth Street and Commercial bus stop in downtown Raymond on Monday, Sept. 11.

The ceremony was attended by nearly two dozen people, including members of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Washington State Department of Transportation, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments, Pacific County Economic Development Council (EDC), Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, and South Bend Mayor Julie Struck.

“Most of the businesses in Pacific County are very small, five employees or less for over 85% of our businesses,” EDC Director Susan Yirku said. “We have some great, wonderful anchor businesses that are larger as well.”

“This kind of opportunity to be able to get from place to place for our community members and to get them to be able to access our small businesses is a win-win all the way around, and anything that connects [our communities is a win],” she added.

Pull Quote

‘It’s neat, and the whole plan [that is put together] I heard this morning almost makes me cry with happiness.’

Charlene Nelson, Shoalwater Bay tribal chairwoman

Tokeland likes it

Charlene Nelson, chairwoman of the tribe, praised the new shuttle being offered for tribal members and residents who live in the Tokeland area. She believes the new shuttle will help older residents get necessary services.

“When I found out that a shuttle would be coming so that when I could no longer drive [and] other people in our community — not only tribal but outside because we all work together — will be able to come over here too and shop in grocery stores and everywhere else they want to go, that’s going to really, really make a difference,” Nelson said.

“It’s going to be good, because otherwise they are asking somebody [for a ride]. It’s neat, and the whole plan [that is put together] I heard this morning almost makes me cry with happiness,” Nelson added.

The shuttle between Raymond and South Bend runs Monday through Saturday, with the first pickup at 9 a.m. at Fifth Street and Commercial and the last drop off at 5:40 p.m. at Fifth and Commercial.

The Tokeland shuttle will have four runs throughout the day with stops at the clinic, Nelson Crab, Tokeland Hotel, Shoalwater Bay Casino, and the smoke shop. The option will give residents in the north county region the opportunity to ride the shuttle to and from the casino.

Popular

Transit Director Michael Wagner said the shuttle service has already been an overwhelming success.

“It has been extremely popular, and when we first started it we thought we’d maybe have a few dozen people joining, and in the first month we had over 450 riders, which is now the third largest route by ridership in our system,” Wagner said.

Transit Human Resources Manager Pattie Gray is also excited about the progress being made with the new service to suit community needs.

“The Pacific Transit System is meeting the expanding needs of all our communities throughout Pacific County,” Gray stated. “Our new slogan is, ‘It’s All About Community,’ and we are working diligently to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

“Watch for our new shuttle routes and expansions that we will be announcing in the months to come. We are working to make riding the bus an easy and safe way to travel. Also, encouraging residents to save gas and money by riding the bus,” she added.

The services are free to veterans, senior citizens 65 or older, and those under 18. The complete list of routes and schedules are available at www.pacifictransit.org, and residents are encouraged to follow the transit on Facebook for news and updates.