Category: News

Public Hearing for Proposed Service Changes March 11, 2026, at 4 PM

Posted on by Chance Corbeil

April 2026 Proposed Fixed Route Service Changes

Route 33 and Route 44:

Move service on 42nd Avenue, Olympic Way, and 46th Avenue from Route 33 to Route 44. This has the following effects:

  • Increases weekday trips on the Olympia Way loop by one (1) per day; reduces Saturday trips by 10.
  • Will improve the on-time performance on Route 33 without sacrificing the same measure on Route 44.
  • Route 44 is a lower ridership route, and the plan is to operate a smaller and lighter bus on this route most days to decrease complaints of vibrations.
  • Service along Ocean Beach Highway between 38th Avenue and Mt. Solo Road will continue to be served by Route 33.

Route 411

Remove Solomon Road as a stop on northbound trips leaving Longview Transit Center.

  • Eliminates a hazardous left turn from Solomon Road to northbound Westside Highway.
  • Solomon Road will still be served on all southbound trips.

Reroute southbound trips along Sparks Drive to turn onto Adams Drive and Early Bird Drive, with a new bus stop on Early Bird near Westside Highway.

Departures from Longview will occur on the hour to better accommodate southbound transfers at the Longview Transit Center.

Route 433

The 6:20 pm trip from Longview will be cancelled due to lack of ridership. Other trip times will be adjusted to be announced next week.

Route 511

The primary stop in Woodland will move from the Woodland Park & Ride to curbside by McDonald’s at Pacific Avenue and Columbia Street to permit use of a larger capacity bus.

Timetable adjustments will be announced next week.

Public Hearing and CTA Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 4:00 P.M.

Posted on by Chance Corbeil

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with RCW Chapter 42.30, the Cowlitz Transit Authority will conduct a Regular Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Longview City Council Chambers, 1525 Broadway, Longview. This meeting is also available via Zoom.

AND,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with RCW Chapter 42.30, the Cowlitz Transit Authority will conduct a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Longview City Hall Council Chambers, Longview, Washington.  This meeting is also available by Zoom.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive any comments concerning the adoption of the proposed service changes to Routes 33, 44, 411, 433, and 511. The proposed change will be published on RiverCities Transit’s website for public comment at www.rctransit.org, on Facebook, and in paper copy at the Longview Transit Center, and in the City Info Weekly.

Agendas are made available the Friday before the meeting at www.mylongview.com under “Agendas & Minutes.”

Please click the link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89844443333

Telephone options (you may need to try more than one number if you receive a busy signal):

Dial any of the following numbers:

1 253 215 8782

1 346 248 7799

1 408 638 0968

1 669 900 6833

1 301 715 8592

1 312 626 6799

1 646 876 9923

Webinar ID: 898 4444 3333

Longview City Hall is accessible for persons with disabilities. Special equipment to assist the hearing impaired is also available. Please contact the Board Clerk’s Office at (360) 442-5664 at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance if you require special accommodations to attend the meeting.

Written comments may be submitted up to forty-eight (48) hours in advance via email at [email protected].

You may also submit comments by:

Mail: PO Box 128, Longview, WA 98632

Phone: (360) 442-5663

In Person: 1135 12th Ave Longview, WA

Public Hearing or on Zoom

Next meeting

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

4:00 p.m. – Regular Board Meeting

2026 Transportation Access Survey for CWCOG

Posted on by Doreen Daggett

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments is updating the regional Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan. Your responses to this survey will provide valuable insight and help us direct federal, state, and local money to where it can help the most.

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) coordinates regional transportation planning efforts in Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, and Wahkiakum Counties and Rainier, Oregon as required by federal and state laws. CWCOG completes this work as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and lead agency for the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization is a voluntary association of local governments within Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.


CWCOG thanks you for completing our survey! Your participation makes a difference!

Electronic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWCOG26Access

Paper: https://www.cwcog.org/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2025/12/2026-HSTP-Cowlitz-and-Wahkiakum-County-Survey.pdf


Upon request, the survey is available on paper or in other languages. Questions may be directed to CWCOG Transportation by regular mail at PO Box 128, Kelso, WA 98626; via email to [email protected]; or by fax at (360) 214-3425.

2025 WSDOT Wall of Fame Honorees

Posted on by Doreen Daggett

Congratulations to our Transit Manager, Jim Seeks, and our Transit Operator, Linda Schnelle for being the 2025 WSDOT Wall of Fame honorees.

Jim Seeks has dedicated 48 years to the transit industry, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to RiverCities Transit.

2025 WSDOT Public Transportation Wall of Fame – Jim Seeks

Beginning his journey with the agency as operations supervisor almost a decade ago, Jim quickly became an indispensable asset. In 2021, he stepped into the role of interim transit manager and soon after was appointed transit manager, taking on the challenge of learning a new role while continuing to support daily operations.

Under his leadership, RiverCities Transit secured critical funding to replace its aging fleet, ensuring safer, more efficient service for the community. Jim also played a key role in expanding the agency’s reach by overseeing the development and implementation of three new routes, significantly enhancing regional connectivity. This included bridging vital service gaps to Rainier, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.

Jim’s strategic vision and dedication have left a lasting impact on our agency and the communities we serve.

2025 WSDOT Public Transportation Wall of Fame – Linda Schnelle

Linda joined the RiverCities Transit team as a transit operator in June 2021. Over these past four years, she has demonstrated both a deep sensitivity for providing great customer service and an excellent driving record.

No less than six of her fellow employees nominated her as one of our Wall of Fame honorees for this year, showing her positive effect on our team.

One of her peers wrote, “Linda always comes to work with a positive, ready-to-roll attitude. Her compassion and concern for our riders is immeasurable. She listens to the passengers and never fails to accommodate them to the best of her ability. Linda’s exceptional work ethic and passion for helping others is admirable.”

RiverCities Transit very much appreciates Linda for bringing the best of herself to work every day and takes great pride in honoring her on the 2025 Wall of Fame.

Two New Commuter Bus Services to begin on July 1, 2025

Posted on by Chance Corbeil

RiverCities Transit is pleased to announce the start of two new commuter bus services, designated Route 433 and Route 511, beginning July 1, 2025.  Current RiverCities Transit fares and passes will apply to both routes.

Longview, WA – Rainier, OR

Route 433 will provide Monday – Friday commuter bus service between Longview Transit Center, Rainier Transit Center, and Rainier Senior/Community Center.

Route 433 will depart Longview five times and return from Rainier four times each weekday. Please see the Route 433 timetable below.

This new service is made possible by a grant of the Federal Transit Administration, with the cooperation of the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Transportation, matched by funding from the Cowlitz Transit Authority and the City of Rainier.

Longview, WA – Vancouver, WA

Route 511 will provide Monday – Friday commuter bus service between Longview Transit Center and the 99th Street Transit Center in Vancouver, with stops at Kalama Toteff Park, Woodland Park & Ride, and the Cowlitz Reservation at ilani.

Until new vehicles are delivered, Route 511 will make three trips to Vancouver and two trips to ilani timed to meet C-TRAN Route 48 for direct connections to Vancouver. Please see the Route 511 timetable below.

Route 511 will be funded by a Washington State transportation budget proviso and the Cowlitz Transit Authority.  RiverCities Transit thanks the Cowlitz Transit Authority Board, the Washington Senate and House Transportation Committees, and the Washington State Transit Association and its lobbyists for their diligent efforts to secure the funding.

With Lower Columbia Community Action Program discontinuing its rural transportation service, this will continue the long history of I-5 transit service.

Route 433 Timetableeff.7/1/2025
Monday – Friday
Longview Transit CenterRainier Transit CenterRainier Senior CenterLongview Transit Center
8:208:358:388:50
11:2011:3511:3811:50
2:202:352:382:50
4:204:354:384:50
6:206:356:38**
Closed holidays
RiverCities Transit Route 511eff. 7/1/2025
Monday – Friday
South to Clark County
Longview Transit CenterKalama Toteff ParkWoodland Park & RideCowlitz Way at ilani99th Street Transit Center
6:306:456:577:067:25
10:0010:1510:2710:46—
12:0012:1512:2712:3612:55
2:002:152:272:46—
4:304:454:575:065:25
  North to Longview
99th Street Transit CenterCowlitz Way at ilaniWoodland Park & RideKalama Toteff ParkLongview Transit Center
7:307:477:578:098:25
—10:47*10:5711:0911:25
1:001:171:271:391:55
—2:47*2:573:093:25
5:305:475:576:096:25

* Connection with C-TRAN Route 48

Closed holidays

Cowlitz Transit Authority Seeks For and Against Committee Members

Posted on by Jim Seeks

On April 10, 2024, the Cowlitz Transit Authority passed a resolution to annex Lexington and Beacon Hill into the Cowlitz Public Transportation Benefit Area, aka the RiverCities Transit service area. This area is currently served by Route 411, a pilot project, including ADA paratransit service.

On August 6, 2024, a ballot measure on the annexation must be confirmed by a majority of the voters in the eight precincts that make up those neighborhoods, as it will raise the sales tax in that area by 3/10ths of 1 percent ($0.003).

The Transit Authority seeks members of the public willing to represent the “for” and “against” committees on the ballot measure. For and against committees will write a statement either in favor or in opposition to the ballot measure. Each committee needs a spokesperson and one to three listed members.

Please see pages 15-19 of the Cowlitz County Elections 2024 Jurisdiction Manual https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/30641/2024-Jurisdiction-Manual-including-LVP-Specs for the rules and page 24 of the Manual for the submission form, which RiverCities Transit must forward to the Elections Office.

Please contact Jim Seeks, Transit Manager, 360-442-5663 or [email protected] if you wish to be a member of a “for” or “against”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       committee, or contact Cowlitz County Elections at 360-557-3005 or [email protected] for more information. Deadline is Friday, May 3, 2024.