News

For Immediate Release

From:   Jeff Hazen

Executive Director

Sunset Empire Transportation District

503-861-5399 

Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners is seeking volunteers that are registered voters of Clatsop County and would like to serve on the District Budget Committee.  The Budget Committee is comprised of 7 District Board Members and 7 community members who are appointed by the Board of Commissioners and serve a 3-year term.  There are currently 3 community member positions open on the committee. The SETD Budget Committee generally meets once or twice a year. Those interested in serving on the SETD Budget Committee are asked to submit a letter of interest which can be emailed to [email protected], dropped off at the Astoria Transit Center, 900 Marine Drive, Seaside Transit Office, 39 North Holladay or mailed to Sunset Empire Transportation District, 900 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103. Please submit letters of interest by December 30, 2020.

For more information, please contact Executive Director Jeff Hazen at 503-861-5399 or by email at [email protected].

CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR’S EVE

Route 101- Final run leaves Astoria Transit 4:37 pm south, leaves McDonalds Seaside 5:14 pm north arrives Astoria Transit 6:06 pm

Route 20- Final run leaves Seaside Cinema 5:00 pm, leaves Cannon Beach Visitor Center 5:37 pm, arrives Seaside Cinema 5:55 pm

Route 10- Final run leaves Astoria Transit 4:36 pm, arrives Astoria Transit 5:43pm

Route 15- Final run leaves MiniMart 5:45 pm final stop MiniMart 6:25 pm

ASTORIA TRANSIT CENTER AND THE SEASIDE TRANSIT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THESE HOLIDAYS:

• CHRISTMAS DAY– FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 CLOSED
• NEW YEAR’S DAY– FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2021 CLOSED

NW Point Bus will be on regular daily schedule during the Holidays

Everyone at SETD wishes you a Happy Holiday Season!

Check this out!

Sunset Empire Transportation District recently received funding from the Cares Act that the President signed into law on March 27^th of which $25,000,000,000 was provided for public transportation. The Oregon Department of Transportation received $42,686,023 from the Cares Act and set up two funding programs for distribution to rural transit providers in Oregon and quickly made one available to help with immediate needs.  Executive Director Jeff Hazen reported that the District applied for and received a little over $500,000 which was utilized for new staff hired to sanitize buses, material and services for increased disinfecting, staff paid leave and for lost revenue due to decreased ridership. Hazen said the second program available from ODOT is a Needs-based program which has $33,300,000 available, and rural transit agencies can submit 3 grant applications by December of 2020.  Hazen reported that the District submitted a needs-based grant for $1,191,108 for the purchase of two remanufactured buses along with operational costs for a year and in July was awarded $861,000 for one bus and operational costs. This bus should be available in 6 to 7 months and will be used to pick up riders who may not be able to get on the regularly scheduled bus because of capacity constraints due to COVID-19 spacing requirements. Hazen said this grant will also be used for converting District restrooms from hand operated controls to touchless controls.  

Hazen said the District is evaluating what projects will be submitted for the next two grant applications.

Executive Director Hazen also announced that the Northwest Oregon Transit Alliance which SETD, Tillamook County Transportation, Lincoln County Transit, Benton County Transportation and Columbia County Rider are partners in was recently awarded $ 187,000 to purchase disinfecting equipment that all five partners will be utilizing and is the first major collaborative procurement that the partners have embarked on.

For more information contact Jeff Hazen at 503-861-5399 or [email protected]

Sunset Empire Transportation District Seeking Candidates for Board Vacancy

Sunset Empire Transportation District (SETD) is accepting applications to fill one open position on its Board of Commissioners.

The appointee will serve the remainder of an open term of Position 2 until term expiration June 30^th, 2021.

The Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners is comprised of 7 board members. Each member is elected by the registered voters of the district to serve a 4-year term. Applicants for the vacant position must be registered voters who reside within the district’s boundaries.

Interested candidates can access an information packet, which includes information about the district, position and application/selection process by going to this link to the SETD website.  Alternatively you, you may request a packet by contacting Mary Parker, Executive Assistant at [email protected] or by calling 503-861-5370.

Completed applications may be emailed to [email protected], dropped off at the Astoria Transit Center or Seaside Transit office or mailed to SETD 900 Marine Drive Astoria, Oregon 97103.  The deadline to submit applications for this vacancy is 5:00 pm September 16, 2020

For more information, please Jeff Hazen, Executive Director at 503-861-5399

Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners (SETD) is seeking a volunteer from Clatsop County who would like to serve on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC advises the District’s Board on issues involving the District’s transportation plans, grants, policies, and programs with a special emphasis on access for senior and disabled riders. The current vacant position on the TAC is sought for representation from someone that can represent seniors and is knowledgeable of the public transportation needs of them.  The TAC committee is comprised of a total of 7 community members which are appointed by the SETD Board, an appointed SETD Board member and SETD staff. Term of office is 2 years beginning in July and going through June 30 accordingly. Responsibilities include a working knowledge of SETD’s plans, policies and programs; attending the scheduled meetings, making decisions when necessary and serving on subcommittees as needed. TAC meetings are generally held quarterly. Applications are available Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 12 noon and 1 PM to 5 PM at the Astoria Transit Center, 900 Marine Drive in Astoria, Seaside Transit Office, 39 N. Holladay in Seaside, by clicking here or you may request an application be sent by mail. For more information contact Mary Parker at 503-861-5370 or [email protected].  Please email application to [email protected] or mail completed applications to Sunset Empire Transportation District, 900 Marine Drive Astoria, OR 97103 by Monday, September 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM.  

NW Connector Launches Enhanced Rider-Friendly Trip Planner

If are unable to access the June 25th meeting via Zoom, you can call in on your phone to:

877 853 5247 US Toll-free
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 835 4451 4840

The Sunset Empire Transportation District’s Seaside Streetcar begins it’s 2020 summer schedule today. It will operate every Saturday and Sunday from June 13th thru September 27th. Fare has been suspended until July 1st so there is no cost for this fun hourly cruise through Seaside until then. Everyone loves seeing the sights and enjoying the sea breeze from this unique open window ride. Park your car and jump on the Streetcar for a fun tour of Seaside or bike and ride using the convenient bike rack on the front. Our wonderful driver’s are looking forward to meeting you!