Category: News

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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with RCW Chapter 42.30, the Cowlitz Transit Authority will conduct a Regular Board Meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Longview City Council Chambers, 1525 Broadway, Longview. This meeting is also available via Zoom.

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, February 11, 2026

4:00 p.m. – Regular Board Meeting

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.

Library Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9am-7pm, Wednesday-Thursday 9 am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm

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.

This nine-member volunteer committee assists and advises the City of Longview on the most appropriate way to make its programs, services, activities, and facilities accessible to all of its residents and visitors. Click here to learn more about the committee. Click here to apply to serve on the committee.