The Sunset Empire Transportation District has received another significant boost from the state as the agency tries to rebound from a financial collapse.

The transit district received a $505,000 loan from the state in May to help restore some bus service following a shutdown of operations in late April due to a lack of money. At a special meeting on June 7, the transit district board approved an amendment to the loan, which grants the agency up to an additional $505,000 to maintain existing service levels.

Debbie Boothe-Schmidt, the board chairwoman, said on June 8 that the first loan helped the transit district catch up on payments, while the second batch of funds will ensure the stability of service.

The agency has brought back some bus service along U.S. Highway 101 between Astoria and Cannon Beach on weekdays and weekends. Paratransit and Dial-A-Ride services were also partially reinstated.

Paul Lewicki, the interim executive director, has said that it may take up to a year to reach previous service levels.

“We’re not sure what our funding is going to be going forward, so we want to make sure that we know exactly what we’re getting before we put any more routes on so we don’t have to take any off,” Boothe-Schmidt said. “I don’t want to put something on and then have to take them back off. We’re going to be really cautious going forward.”

The $1 million in state assistance comes as the transit district works toward crafting a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The new budget is expected to be adopted next week.

The state is also conducting financial and management audits of the transit district to determine what led to the breakdown and help the agency return to full service.

Boothe-Schmidt reiterated the need for patience.

“We all understand that this shouldn’t have happened and we’re doing everything we can to get back where we were as soon as possible,” she said. “We don’t want to rush it, but as soon as possible.”