Free Youth Transit Pass Public Hearing

In March 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington transportation package. Under the package, transit agencies are awarded new Transit Support Grants, provided they meet certain conditions, including adopting a policy that passengers 18 years of age and younger may ride free of charge on any mode operated by the transit agency.

In July 2022, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners will consider an action that makes fares free for youth passengers age 18 and under on all Pierce Transit modes. Our goal is to implement this change by September 1, 2022 in conjunction with the start of the school year. The Board of Commissioners materials are available at below.

Fact Sheet

Code Amendment draft language of 3.74

Resolution

Title VI Analysis

How does this affect Pierce Transit’s bottom line?

The 2019 American Community Survey estimates about 23 percent of the population of the Pierce Transit service area is under 18 years of age. Youth fares (riders ages 6-18) in 2019 accounted for an estimated 14 to 19 percent of our boardings. We estimate a loss of approximately $700,000 annually in fare revenues as a result of providing free rides to youth. However, those costs will be covered with the state’s new Transit Support Grant funding. In addition, the Support Grant funding for Pierce Transit will cover other needs, including safety initiatives and, when the workforce is available, additional transit service.

We want to hear from you.

The public input period for this proposed youth fare policy change closes July 11. Public input will be provided to the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners in a summary report at their July 11 Board meeting.

There are three ways to provide your thoughts:

By email: PTCustomer@piercetransit.org
Give us a call between 6:30AM to 6:30PM M-F: 253-581-8000 (press Option 1 for Customer Service and Option 1 again); TTY Relay 711
Attend the public hearing: July 11th, 2022 at 4pm
- Comments can be given either in person at Pierce Transit headquarters, 3720 96th Street SW, Lakewood, or virtually through Zoom
- For more information on the Public Hearing please call or email Principal Planner Lindsey Sehmel at lsehmel@piercetransit.org or 253.581.8079.

How will this work?

This change will be implemented in partnership with other regional transit agencies to create a seamless experience for riders. Youth will be encouraged to use an ORCA card when riding. No youth will be turned away or penalized if they do not have an ORCA card, and no personal information will be collected. Regional ORCA partners are currently analyzing the best methods to distribute ORCA cards to youth.

Pierce Transit does not anticipate a significant change in overall ridership, but other transit agencies with similar programs have seen many positive changes for youth riders:

An increase in affordability for youth and families who use transit
Increased youth access to activities outside of school, such as medical appointments, after-school activities, and jobs
Increased use by youth-related programs, such as using transit for school field trips
Increase in graduation rates for students with free fares
Normalizing the use of transit
Youth riders continue to ride into adulthood and encourage others, such as friends and family members, to do the same

Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital