Columbia County Public Transportation goes "XL"

David Ocampo, General Manager at Columbia County Public Transportation (CCPT), is proud of what the agency has done over the years, but even prouder of the way it has found its niche during COVID-19. And now, to add to its unique role in the community, CCPT has added two new "XL Hybrid" vehicles to its fleet. XL stands for "extra large."

"Before COVID, on a really busy day, we were putting as much as 5,000 miles a month on a transit bus," Ocampo said. "We were running twelve round trips a day. Now we're doing four or five."

Nevertheless, CCPT has been able to run continuously, without interruption, as an essential service to the community. They can carry no more than five passengers in a bus at one time under current restrictions. The pandemic situation has forced CCPT to look at downsizing its fleet and running even more efficiently than before. Thus, the new hybrids, which replace two diesel buses.

Purchased with special grant funds from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), each efficient hybrid is outfitted with a generator, located behind the transmission and in front of the rear axle. While running on longer trips, the generator charges the onboard battery, which takes over on shorter trips. "It translates to 25 percent less fuel consumption," said Ocampo. That also means a smaller carbon footprint. And they never have to be plugged in.

Currently, CCPT carries eight transit buses and seven carpool-or rideshare-vans. Of the eight buses, only a few are used at any one time. Of the seven rideshare vans, only three are currently being used, due to the reduction in demand by patrons working from home.

Along with the addition of the new hybrid vehicles, two of CCPT's larger, 14-passenger buses will be traded in for smaller vehicles for in-town use in Dayton. In contrast to current shuttles, which feature a wheelchair lift at the rear, the new buses will feature a lift and wheelchair station located at the front, with room for eight additional passengers.

Once a vehicle has reached its service limit, it can be declared surplus by the CCPT Board and listed for sale on the website http://www.publicsurplus.com. Ocampo has been surprised, at times, by the response. "One guy drove 300 miles to buy one," he said. The money is deposited back into CCPT's operational funds, which are primarily derived from state grants.

CCPT continues to have a consistent base of customers, despite-or because of-COVID-19. While other Washington State agencies closed down for a month to save money, CCPT has remained open.

"I was amazed at the amount of help there's been to make sure everyone in the community is being taken care of," Ocampo said. "The seniors, the special needs, people who just need the service."

He's proud of the food delivery service that has been one of the high marks in CCPT's critical role during the pandemic. Food delivered from Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) is assembled by BMAC and National Guard troops at Columbia County Fairgrounds each Tuesday. CCPT then loads around 33 food packages and delivers them around Dayton and Starbuck. On Thursdays, CCPT delivers additional food to Starbuck for senior meals.

The agency is now operating with a skeleton crew, said Ocampo, so the need for volunteers to help deliver food is urgent. The food is assembled in boxes, which can be hefty. Nevertheless, they have the process down to a science and can complete the Dayton deliveries in about an hour. If you're interested in helping deliver food, please contact CCPT at (509) 382-2181.