CWCOG approved the coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) Board of Directors took action on December 18 to approve the Southwest Washington Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP). The CHSTP is a planning document that identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. It also provides strategies for meeting these needs, and includes a list of proposed public transportation projects within the areas served by the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The CWCOG Board approved the elements impacting the MPO which includes the Kelso-Longview-Rainier Metro Area.

In a separate action the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Organization (SWRTPO) approved the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP) for the larger region. The SWRTPO Board covers a five-county area, including Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties. Key stakeholders in developing the plan include the cities, transit authorities, tribal governments, port districts and non-profit transit providers throughout the five-county area. Other partners include state and federal Departments of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration and economic development councils. This update will serve as a management and investment guide for the MPO and SWRTPO public transportation systems through the year 2018.

The reliance on public transportation is growing and has continued to grow for both the fixed route public transit and human services/non-profit groups providing transportation services throughout the region. The various service providers will continue to work to identify and address the needs of our vulnerable and transit-dependent population’s in collaborative efforts. The CWCOG will be coordinating quarterly meetings with stakeholders to continue to build coordination efforts. Possible actions include enhanced cooperation with emergency management, development of multimodal transportation opportunities and the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems which may include the use of technology to better track vehicles and routes as well as electronic payment and collection systems.

The CHSTP final document is available online at http://www.cwcog.org or by request at: CWCOG, Admin Annex, 207 North 4th Ave., Kelso, WA 98626 (360) 577-3041.