In these dark, cold, and rainy days of January 2020, it is hard sometimes to believe that sunshine exists behind the clouds. However, when I compare January 2019 with our present January here in Lewis County, I see a shaft of sunshine cutting through the dark. Yes, I am talking about our present Twin Transit situation today as compared to that of a year ago.
A year ago, dark rumors and accusations of mismanagement surrounded the former Twin Transit director, Derrick Wojcik-Damers, and our bus company appeared to some folks to be on the verge of collapse. I had faith, though, that enough people in our community saw the value of our bus system to take steps to clean up Damers’ mess and hire a director who would get Twin Transit headed in a good direction.
Now, thanks to our new Twin Transit Director, Joe Clark, and all our Twin Transit employees, our bus system is becoming part of our community. Just this morning, for example, I received a Facebook message describing the new Books on the Bus program. Appropriate books are available on every Twin Transit bus to read on the bus, take home to finish, and then return, making each bus a mini-library! How cool is that?
In addition, this past summer the bus provided free shuttle service to the fair. When our steam train full of passengers had to make an emergency stop due to a mechanical problem last summer, Twin Transit was there to transport people back to their cars. Now, extended hours help people get their shopping and errands done after work. New routes, new stops, and new services are in the planning stage. I can see one of the new Market Street stops being built right outside my apartment building!
Twin Transit is going somewhere! It is up and running in the right direction. Businesses looking for new employees now can say that we have a community-friendly bus service that is getting better and better with age. Students at all levels are finding that the bus system makes getting their educations a little bit easier. Lot of improvements are in the works for our community bus system.
This winter, when the day is dark and the sunshine seems nonexistent, think “Twin Transit” and enjoy knowing that our bus system is there for you. Better yet, get out of your car and explore parts of our community that you seldom visit. When you are not driving, you can see so much more. When the rain is coming down and the kids are home and looking for something to do, climb onto a Twin Transit bus and make a day of visiting a museum or historic site and then get a treat before heading home. If you live in the Twin Transit service area and pay sales tax, the bus system is yours. Enjoy it!
Jean Fairgrieve
Chehalis
