The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) updated the public on the Rural Transit Program, with senior planner Amy Hatch-Winecka presenting on recent enhancements, including extending service routes and adding Saturday service in response to rider feedback.
At the Wednesday Board of County Commissioners meeting, Hatch-Winecka explained that while Intercity Transit primarily serves urban areas, there needed to be more transit options in Thurston County's rural communities. The ruralTRANSIT program was developed to address this, with service beginning in Tumwater and connecting to Mellon Street station in Centralia, allowing transfers to Grays Harbor Transit and Lewis County Transit.
In addition to the Centralia transit point, three ruralTRANSIT routes serve Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda and Grand Mound, to the Lucky Eagle Casino. Two of the routes originate at Tumwater Square.
Passengers with physical impairments that prevent them from reaching fixed route stops can contact the service provider one day before requesting a pick-up from their home if it is within three-quarters of a mile of the regular route.
Previously, ruralTRANSIT service operated on weekdays only. The senior planner said the main feedback they received was regarding a significant service gap in Tenino, where there were around five hours without any transit availability. That highlighted the need for increased frequency.
Hatch-Winecka said riders requested two improvements – to address the five-hour gap in service in Tenino by providing continuous coverage, and they strongly advocated for the implementation of Saturday service, which was added in October.
Hatch-Winecka noted that a two-year pilot grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation funded the expansions to serve Yelm and add Saturday service. TRPC will apply for a new grant to continue that expanded service permanently this summer.
Other improvements include the installation of bus stop signs to mark stops. They are working on obtaining bus shelters and developing a real-time mobile app to track bus locations.
Commissioners expressed interest in taking a ride-along on a rural route to experience it from a rider's perspective.
The senior planner informed the commissioners that driver recruitment and training are challenges faced by transit systems nationwide. She said TRPC has been discussing establishing a driver training pipeline with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, which provides transportation workforce training. She also stressed the importance of obtaining bus shelters for passenger comfort, especially since some stops are in rural areas without other covered waiting areas.
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kellykelly
I wish they would return transit to Black Lake Blvd SW area at least from the Black Lake grange.
Friday, January 26 Report this