Pacific Transit System
 | |
| Commenced operation | January 2, 1980 |
|---|---|
| Locale | Pacific County, Washington |
| Service type | Bus service |
| Routes | 5 |
| Annual ridership | 55,150 (2023)[1] |
| Fuel type | Diesel and Gasoline |
| Director | Joe Clark |
| Website | www |
Pacific Transit is a rural public transit operator in Pacific County, Washington. It operates 5 routes in the county, connecting to adjacent systems in Aberdeen and Astoria, Oregon.
History
A public transportation benefit area for Pacific County was created on August 8, 1979. A 0.3 percent sales tax was approved by voters in November 1979, and bus service began on January 2, 1980, through contracts with Grays Harbor Transit and Washington Coast Lines.[2][3] By 2006, the system had 500 daily passengers and a staff of 25 employees.[4] Pacific Transit eliminated the collection of fares on its routes in March 2025;[5] adult passengers were previously charged between $1 and $1.50 for intra-county service and $2.50 for the Aberdeen Express.[6] The agency also reached an agreement with Lewis County Transit to be jointly administered by their director, Joe Clark, through the end of the year until a permanent replacement for Pacific Transit's director is found.[7]
In June 2025, Pacific Transit introduced a new network that replaced numbered routes with color-coded names. The service change also eliminated direct service from Ilwaco to Aberdeen, along with intra-county service from Ilwaco to South Bend.[8]
Operations
Pacific Transit is a public transportation benefit area corporation that is governed by an eight-member board of directors and funded by a 0.3 percent sales tax levied within Pacific County.[1]
Routes
In addition to fixed-route service, Pacific Transit also runs the "Veterans Connect", a free dial-a-ride bus for veterans that launched in 2024. It covers trips that originate in Pacific County and are needed for appointments and services in the surrounding area, including in Astoria, Oregon, Olympia, Washington, and Vancouver, Washington.[9]
| Route | Inbound terminus |
Outbound terminus |
Via | Saturday service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Raymond | Aberdeen | No | |
| 20 | Ilwaco | Oysterville | Long Beach, Ocean Park | Yes |
| 24 | Ilwaco | Astoria, Oregon | Chinook | Yes |
| 32 | Raymond | South Bend | Yes | |
| 50 | Ilwaco | South Bend | Astoria, Naselle | No |
| Source:[10] | ||||
Fleet
Current Bus Fleet
- As of June 2014[11]
| Year | Manufacturer | Model | Fleet Numbers | Fuel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Gillig | Phantom | 23 | Diesel | |
| 2000 | Gillig | Phantom | 26–27 | Diesel | |
| 2011 | Gillig | Advantage | 29–34 | Diesel |
References
- ^ a b Public Transportation Division (October 2024). 2023 Summary of Public Transportation (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 112–113. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Public Transportation Office (October 1984). "Local Transit". Public Transportation in Washington State (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 97–102. OCLC 13007541. Retrieved July 15, 2016 – via National Transportation Library.
- ^ Public Transportation and Planning Division (November 2, 1982). Public Transportation Report: Public Transportation in Washington State (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. p. 18. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ Frink, Amanda (July 25, 2006). "The little bus system that could: Pacific Transit System". Chinook Observer. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Pacific Transit goes fare free". Pacific Transit. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Bus Fares". Pacific Transit. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Clemens, Jeff (March 12, 2025). "Lewis County steps in after Pacific Transit shakeup". Chinook Observer. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Pacific Transit Introduces Improved 2025 Routes". Pacific Transit. June 10, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Webb, Patrick (February 28, 2024). "All aboard! Veterans urged to use new buses: Service provides free medical trips". Chinook Observer. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Route Schedules". Public Transit System. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ Pacific Transit System: Transit Development Plan 2014–2019 and 2013 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Pacific Transit System. July 10, 2014. p. 19. Retrieved July 15, 2016.