Columbia County staff reported July 2 that the county’s new transit run connecting Portland through Rainier to River Cities Transit carried its first rider and that staff are preparing routine cleanup and minor maintenance at the county’s transit center.

A county transit staff member said the first rider completed a trip that connected in Rainier and continued on River Cities Transit, and staff described interest in the service. "We had a rider yesterday on the first run that went all the way from Portland, connected in, Rainier to River Cities Transit and went over Long Beach," a county transit staff member said.

Board and staff discussion centered on facility upkeep and landscaping: staff said sidewalks and planters at the transit center will need power washing and periodic spraying to maintain a tidy appearance for the public and for partner agencies that use the facility. Staff said prior coordination with facilities and with River Cities Transit will be used to schedule routine upkeep.

Why it matters: the new connection expands regional transit options for riders in Columbia County and requires coordination among county staff, River Cities Transit and facility maintenance teams. The visible state of the transit center also affects rider experience and partner perception.

Action: staff asked the board to place a related administrative item on the consent agenda; a commissioner agreed to place that item on next week's consent calendar for approval. No changes to transit policy or service hours were adopted at the July 2 meeting.