PORT ANGELES — Clallam Transit System commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of operations manager Jason McNickle as interim acting general manager.
McNickle will assume the role on Aug. 1 upon the retirement of current general manager Jim Fetzer, whose last day is July 31.
A special committee composed of commissioners Rachel Anderson, Jeff Gingell, Brendan Meyer and Mark Ozias was tasked with establishing a recruitment and transition plan, and they recommended McNickle on Wednesday from among the names they were presented.
McNickle has been with Clallam Transit for 16 years and has worked in a variety roles, including fixed-route driver, dispatcher and operations supervisor. The $136,725 annual salary is 10 percent above his current compensation.
McNickle’s appointment will remain in effect until it’s rescinded by the board or 14 days after the general manager position is filled.
The special committee will meet again in September to decide on a path for recruiting a permanent general manager.
Fetzer said the $78 billion state budget signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday didn’t have a significant impact on the Clallam transit system.
“Our funding levels are mostly what they were last year,” he said.
However, it is still waiting to hear on the status of a $3.6 million Federal Transportation Administration grant for five new buses it was awarded last year and is under review by the Department of Government Efficiency.
“Hopefully we will get that funding,” Fetzer said.
The agency will apply for FTA Low or No Emission and bus facilities grants whose applications are due in June, he said. It is seeking funding for three electric buses and charging equipment.
“They’re really scrutinizing grants that aren’t under contract yet,” Fetzer said of the federal government. “I’m pretty hopeful we’ll get our funding. Our project is pretty small compared to some of the other agencies.”
McNickle said the system in April had seen the highest ridership on fixed routes in 10 years, with 72,548 total passenger boardings. The Interlink service in Forks and Sequim continued to see ridership increases. It was so popular in Sequim that the system might have to consider purchasing another van to meet demand, he said.
The board recognized three individuals for their contributions to Clallam Transit: Karen Martin upon her retirement after 13 years of service as a driver and dispatcher; David Larrabee upon his retirement after 19 years of service as a driver, and Denny Goudie as the 2024 Clallam Transit System employee of the year.
Tracey Christianson, executive director of the Washington State Insurance Pool, traveled from Olympia to present Fetzer with its Safety Star Award, given to transit systems for their stable safety records. It was the fifth year in a row Clallam Transit received the award in the medium-size agency division.
The board also unanimously approved a $227,400 contract with Hoch Construction for a remodeling project that will expand a locker area for drivers and office space for supervisors. The funds were part of the transit system’s 2025 capital budget.
The Hurricane Ridge Shuttle will resume service on Saturday and operate through Sept. 1. It will depart Gateway Transit Center every day on the hour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fares are $1 each way for adults, free for youths 18 and younger, and free for those with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit.
Passengers must show a valid park entrance pass before boarding the shuttle. Information can be found at www.clallamtransit.com/HurricaneRidge.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
