PORT ANGELES — The Clallam Transit System board unanimously approved a six-year Transit Development Plan that details how its goals align with state and federal priorities.
The annual report, which public transit agencies must submit to the state Department of Transportation annually to maintain grant eligibility, provided information about capital improvements, operating changes and finances.
Acting General Manager Jason McNickle said the report highlights the successful implementation of the agency’s zero-fare policy, the deployment of new planning and scheduling software, a moderate expansion of fixed-route services, and consideration of future services to the West End, extended microtransit hours and an additional Strait Shot run.
It will be moving ahead with major services changes.
A public hearing Wednesday on the Transit Development Plan drew no input.
In other board action, it unanimously approved a $1 million grant to replace seven paratransit vehicles that will cost about $160,000 each. It also approved a $3.4 million WSDOT grant to purchase five fixed-route buses and five paratransit vehicles.
Maintenance manager Gary Abrams said that, because of demand, there is a about a two-year wait for vehicles.
Purchase and installation of two electric vehicle charging stations in Forks at a cost of no more than $30,000 was approved. The charging station can only used by Clallam Transit employees for company vehicles. It has two Teslas it is unable to drive to Forks, because they can’t return to Port Angeles on one charge.
Microtransit numbers continues to grow, with boardings up in Forks 32 percent from June and 23 percent from July last year. In Sequim, ridership was up 58 percent in June and 18 percent in July.
The board agreed that Clallam Transit soon will need to think about adding a second van in Forks, like it has in Sequim, to meet the growing demand for the on-demand service.
Operations supervisor Kim Hutcheson was recognized as employee of the second quarter, and fixed-route operator and trainer Jeff Dixon was recognized upon his retirement after 10 years with the system.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
