News

The previous cancellation has been removed.

Sunset Empire Transportation District (SETD) has announced that they will begin offering a fare free student transportation program in Clatsop County starting on January 6, 2020. The program will provide fare free transportation for all students K-12 on all routes within Clatsop County. “Our STIF funding requires that 1% of that funding be dedicated to transportation for students grades 9 to 12.” Executive Director Hazen explained. Hazen continued saying “We want to do more than that and extend the fare free service to grades K-12 because someday these kids will graduate and some will be going to college and they will already be experienced in using public transportation before they leave home.”  Some of the grants SETD receives are based on ridership so the additional ridership could also potentially help with those grants. The current enrollment in Clatsop County schools exceeds 5,100 students. “We are hopeful that this fare free program will reduce the barriers that some students face when wanting to participate in all school activities.” Hazen added. SETD will be working very closely with the schools to get the message out to students and parents about this new program. For more information contact Executive Director Jeff Hazen and [email protected] or 503-861-5399.

We are NW Transportation Options Network managers. Our region covers the area counties of Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia. Our goal is to get the word out about how the tools within GetThereOregon.com can help make a positive impact on your time spent commuting to work, play and anything in-between. The technology and tools take the hard work out of creating and connecting you to carpools/vanpools. We also plan to run contests during the year to promote getting there using transit, bike, telecommute, walk, carpool or vanpool options.
Our network is still small and needs you and your co-workers, neighbors and friends to sign up. The more people involved the more the tools work. We want to Connect you to Life! You can opt out of the network at any time.
Thank you for taking our quick 6 question survey! https://getthere.rideamigos.com//survey/take.html?surveyId=5dc21139e40c917a43a9b5aa

We have partnered with Get There to bring you this survey. Please fill it out and submit your responses. If you have any issues, please email Get There [email protected]. Thank you!

July 1, 2019

For more information: Stephanie Millar, Transportation Options Program manager, 503-986-4224

SALEM — Want to reduce the cost of your drive? It’s easier than ever to share the ride with ODOT’s new carpooling tool, Get There. A web-based tool, Get There helps Oregonians plan trips, share rides with single trips or on a regular basis, and more. Get There replaces Drive Less Connect, the state’s former carpool matching tool.

By typing in a starting point and a destination, users can see options for both passengers and drivers looking to share rides. Using the tool helps travelers share the cost and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.

“Our goal is to help people have more choices for the way they travel,” said ODOT Highway Division Administrator Kris Strickler. “With more options, we usually see fewer vehicles on the road – and that means less congestion and frustration for everyone.”  

Get There also provides users with information about vanpools for popular commutes, like between Portland and Salem. The website also offers transit, bike and walking directions.

Organizations working to reduce drive alone trips across Oregon in places like Lane County, the Rogue Valley, and Deschutes County run programs that give their participants prizes to reduce their drive-alone trips. These programs will use Get There to help users track their trips and see how much fuel and money they are saving, as well as their reduced carbon footprint.

In October, Get There will host the annual Get There Challenge, formerly the Oregon Drive Less Challenge. This year’s challenge will feature a range of prizes for Oregonians who log trips made without driving alone. Sponsors include Providence Health & Services and Bike Friday. More details will be announced later this summer.

Kathy Kleczek, Chair of SETD’s Board of Commissioners, was elected to the SDAO’s Board of Directors for a 2 year term.   SDAO was formed in 1979 to give special districts a stronger and united voice at the Oregon Legislature.  As with similar organizations that support cities, counties, schools, and local governments, the Association provides advocacy with state administrative agencies and other units of government, training, information resources, and other support programs.  SDAO has grown to over 900 members and has become an important support organization for their individual efforts.  Kathy shared, “I’m honored and humbled to be elected to the SDAO Board and look forward to working with fellow Board members to continue the great work that SDAO does and to expand the services they provide their members.”

Congratulations to Jennifer Geisler! Jennifer was chosen Employee of the Year for 2018. Jennifer has been with SETD since June 2013 and was hired as a temp driver for fixed route and paratransit.  In 2015 she moved into a full-time position as Operations Assistant and then jumping at the opportunity, she took on the role of ParaTransit Supervisor July 2016.

During her employment at SETD Jennifer has gone above and beyond her scope of job duties.  She always has a great attitude, works well with her co-workers and is kind and compassionate to the  transportation needs of the senior and disabled community she serves.

Jennifer has proven that she is truly a valued asset to SETD. Thank-you for all you do for the district!

Jennifer Geisler was chosen Employee of the 4^th Quarter 2018. She has been with SETD since June 2013 and was hired as a temp driver. Jennifer is currently the ParaTransit Supervisor for the district.

During her employment at SETD Jennifer has gone above and beyond her duties by driving for fixed route, paratransit and assisting operations with many tasks before moving into the ParaTransit Supervisor position.

Jennifer’s personality and compassion for the passengers throughout the years has proven that she is very much valued here at SETD.  Congratulations and thank you for all you do!

Congratulations! MacKenzie Lindquist was chosen Employee of the 3^rd Quarter 2018. She was rehired with the district in March of 2018 as a fixed route driver. Currently, MacKenzie is the person in charge (PIC) when needed for fixed route.

MacKenzie worked for SETD from August 2014 to January 2016 as a fixed route driver. During that time of her employment, she was awarded an Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year 2015.

Mackenzie reminds us daily how much she loves to drive, enjoys the passengers and the people she works with. It shows! She is truly an asset to the district. Welcome back MacKenzie!