Commission approves $25,000 IGA to revive Pacific City weekend shuttle

Tillamook County commissioners on June 11 approved an intergovernmental agreement providing $25,000 to the Tillamook County Transportation District to operate a Pacific City shuttle on weekends.

The agreement funds a pared-back service that will run Saturdays and Sundays and, at the present funding level, supports the scaled schedule the district has proposed. The county contribution is supported by day-use parking fees at the Pacific City turnaround and nearby parking lots.

The transportation district representative said the $25,000 “pays for nearly the entire cost of that operation,” and explained the service uses one driver and one vehicle per weekend day. The presenter reported initial ridership numbers: about 128 boardings across the holiday weekend (28 on Saturday, 79 on Sunday and 21 on Memorial Day), with lower counts on subsequent weekends as ridership rebuilt after the service hiatus.

Commissioners praised the partnership and encouraged promotion of the route. Chair Forney said she had “talked to people who’ve used it who really liked it.” A commissioner suggested visitor organizations could help publicize the service to increase ridership.

The route begins and ends at Thousand Trails Campground, travels north to the Wayland Island turnaround, serves central Pacific City including the boat launch and Cape Kiwanda State Park, crosses the bridge and returns to Thousand Trails. The presenter said the shuttle helps local congestion and parking management in Pacific City while requiring fewer drivers than full weekday service.

A motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement was moved, seconded and carried with the board voting to approve.