SUMMARY STATEMENT:
In June 2021, The Columbia County (OR) Board of Commissioners indefinitely suspended much of its CC Rider transit service, including service between Rainier (OR) and Longview, due to loss of ridership and financial resources. This has made travel between the neighboring cities extremely difficult for individuals without access to a private vehicle.
Through the efforts of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments, RiverCities Transit (RCT) may be able to access a series of Federal Transit Administration grants that would help support the re-establishing of scheduled transit service between Rainier and Longview provided by RCT.
Under federal regulations for the grants, local match funding is required and will be requested from the City of Rainier and the Cowlitz Transit Authority.
The City of Rainier distributed a survey to residents to gauge level of interest and desired service times. A total of 147 surveys were returned. RCT developed a sample schedule providing six (6) round trips per day, Monday – Friday, with stops at the Rainier Transit Center, Rainer Senior Center, and the Longview Transit Center.
Fares would be the same as on other RCT routes. If approved by the Cowlitz Transit Authority, service is tentatively scheduled to begin July 1, 2025
Public Notice
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with RCW Chapter 42.30, the Cowlitz Transit Authority will conduct a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Longview City Hall Council Chamber, 1525 Broadway St, Longview, WA. This meeting is also available by Zoom.
The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on a proposal for RiverCities Transit to establish a commuter bus service between Longview Transit Center and the Rainier (Oregon) Transit and Senior Centers.