Want to bypass the car and enjoy the scenery to and along the Oregon Coast? It’s an easy and convenient option with the NWConnector, an alliance of public transit providers with transportation options from Portland, Salem, or Corvallis to the coast, or from Astoria south along Highway 101 to Yachats.
“The system works both ways, providing transportation to the coast, along the coast, and back again,” says Mary Parker, executive assistant with the Sunset Empire Transportation District (SETD). “Riders can board a bus in downtown Portland and either travel north Highway 30 on the CCRider to Rainier, where they can transfer to a Sunset Empire Transportation District bus and ride to Astoria—or they can board the Tillamook County bus (WAVE) in downtown Portland and travel down Highway 6 to Tillamook.”
Heading south, Parker says SETD buses travel through Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside and Cannon Beach, where riders can transfer and continue south to Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach, and on to Tillamook. Riders can then choose to head further south to Lincoln City and continue down the coast or head inland to Salem. Once in Newport, the Lincoln County Transit meets the Benton County Coast to Valley Express that runs between Corvallis and Newport. Those who want to keep going can continue on until Yachats, where the Connector Alliance service ends.
The NWConnector offers 3-day or 7-day passes that are accepted by all alliance transit providers. For even easier travel, riders can download the “Where’s my Bus?” Transit App, which provides bus information and allows riders to see exactly where buses are located in relation to bus stops.
The system allows visitors to slow down, see epic views, and enjoy every minute of travel to the coast. http://www.nworegontransit.org
