Fares & Transfers
Starting Sunday, June 14, Pierce Transit will reinstate fares for buses and SHUTTLE paratransit vehicles. Passengers will begin boarding from the front doors, but are asked to deboard at the rear when possible to provide more social distancing. The agency is installing clear barriers around the operator area to protect drivers and customers, and customer social distancing on buses will remain by marking off some seats and allowing a limited number of passengers on buses. Follow-behind buses are running on busy routes when possible to pick up extra passengers.
Bus Fares
Good any time of day. Place exact change in the farebox next to the driver, use a ticket, ORCA card, or Hopthru app.
| FARES | Adult Fare | *Youth Fare | **Discounted Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local PT Service (one ride) | $2.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 |
| Local PT Service - All Day Pass | $5 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| Local PT Service - 30 Day Pass Available on Hopthru app | $62 | N/A | N/A |
| Local PT Service - Monthly Pass Available on ORCA | $62 | N/A | N/A |
| Monthly Regional Pass Available on ORCA | $72 | $36 | $36 |
* Ages 6 - 18. Children 5 and younger ride free with a fare-paying passenger.
**To be eligible for Discounted Fare, passenger must be a senior (age 65+), have a disability or be a Medicare Card holder. Must show Regional Reduced Fare Permit.
New! Pierce Transit is offering a new adult monthly pass, for use specifically on Pierce Transit bus service. The new pass is for use beginning January 1, 2019 or later. For details, download a copy of our brochure.
PIERCE TRANSIT ALL DAY PASS
Transfers
Paper transfers are no longer issued or accepted on Pierce Transit buses, as of December 8, 2014. However, transferring is easy with an ORCA card. Transfers are automatic with either a pass or E-purse on an ORCA card. Your transfer credit in E-purse expires two hours after you first tap your card on board the bus. It is valid on or between Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit and Everett Transit.
Human Service Agency Tickets and Passes
Certified Human Services Agencies (HSA’s) may purchase paper One Ride Tickets and paper All Day Passes. Certified HSA’s that are tax-exempt under IRS subsection 501(c)(3) may qualify for a 50% discount. For more information or to see if your agency qualifies, call 253.983.2727 or download a certification form. Certified HSA’s may order their One Ride Tickets or All Day Passes by clicking the button below.
Class Pass
Pierce Transit Class Passes can be used for up to 30 people for a round trip on regularly scheduled local service for just $48. We can’t guarantee that all members of a group will get a seat or be able to board the same bus but we’ll do our best to accommodate your group. Class passes cannot be purchased with an ORCA card.
After your Class Pass order has been placed, please call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253.581.8000 with details regarding your trip. Pierce Transit requests a 7 day notice prior to the departure date.
If you need assistance with your trip plan, a representative is available to help between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. Choose 1 for Customer Service, 1 again for Bus or Fixed Route information then listen for the trip plan selection.
DELIVERY: Please allow 3 to 4 days for delivery of passes by First Class US Mail. There is no charge for postage and handling.
ORCA cards
ORCA smart cards simplify fares and transfers. ORCA offers a variety of regional passes, and also“agency-specific” passes for use on just one agency’s services. Most ORCA passes are valid for unlimited rides within a specific timeframe. You can also use an ORCA card like cash to pay your bus fare. The card has an Electronic Purse (E-Purse) that stores fare value. Your ORCA card can be used for the fare that covers the trips you take most often. If you have a regional pass loaded on your card, when you take a bus with a higher fare, just pay the difference with cash or E-purse. You can store value from $5 to $300 on your ORCA card. Once you have added value to your E-purse, tap your ORCA card to activate E-purse if you added E-purse online or by phone. If you do not tap within 60 days, reactivate that E-purse by contacting ORCA customer service at 888-988-6722 or contactus@orcacard.com.
Your monthly pass or All Day Pass is loaded on an ORCA card (the card itself has a one-time $5 purchase fee), which can be purchased online, by phone (1-888-988-6722; TTY relay: 711), at participating retailers or in person at Pierce Transit's Bus Shop.
There are two ways to get a youth ORCA card, and a $5 fee will be charged for the card itself:
- Visit a Customer Service Office: bring the youth along and provide proof of age only if it is not obvious that the youth is under 19. Or, if the youth is not present, you can just bring proof of age.
- Order by Mail: simply download an order form at orcacard.com. Print the online ORCA card order form, check the "Youth ORCA Card" option including birth date, and indicate "Pierce Transit Summer Youth Pass $36." Include a copy of proof of age for the youth when you mail in the form and payment.
Or, if you already have a youth ORCA card, you may load a Summer Youth Pass online, at ticket vending machines, at the Bus Shop, or at a participating retailer.
Regional Reduced Fare Permit
Discounts for seniors, individuals with a disability and Medicare Card holders: if you are 65 or older, have a qualifying doctor-verified disability, or have a Medicare card you may ride for a discounted fare. You must show a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) when paying a discounted fare.
Regional Reduced Fare Permit applications and permits are available at Pierce Transit's Bus Shop. The initial card will be free. A replacement card will be $3. Please bring proof of age, S.S. I. disability award letter, VA paperwork with 40% or more disability, a valid Medicare card, or a Washington Department of Licensing issued identification card for a disabled parking placard and another government photo ID. Individuals with disabilities who qualify for the reduced fare must get an ORCA Regional Reduced Fare Permit in person at the Bus Shop. Seniors (65 or older) may get an ORCA RRFP by mail with proof of age, or in person at the Bus Shop, with proof of age.
Download the application as a pdf HERE
More RRFP information:
2013 RRFP Brochure
This document outlines who’s eligible, what it costs, how long it ‘s valid, where you can use it, etc. Download Here
RRFP Medical Eligibility Criteria and Conditions.
An in-depth look at what qualifies a person to use the Regional Reduced Fare Permit, plus all the information in the brochure AND the application, all in one convenient package. Download Here
Secure Parking Areas (SPA's) in Tacoma for Bikes
Secure, covered bike parking is available in three locations. Rental fee is $8 per quarter or $25 per year.
- Tacoma Dome Station* - Puyallup Ave & East G Street, lower level between the two garages.
Operated by Pierce Transit. Call 253.581.8000, select 1 for Customer Service, then 1 again for Fixed Route Bus Service for details. [DOWNLOAD RENTAL AGREEMENT]
SHUTTLE
| FARES | SHUTTLE Fare (effective 9/1/17) | Monthly SHUTTLE Pass for use Sept. 1, 2017 and later |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce Transit's SHUTTLE Service (one ride) | $1.75 | $63 |
Virtual SHUTTLE Pass
SHUTTLE passengers may pay fares with cash, One Ride ticket or a Virtual SHUTTLE Pass. The Virtual SHUTTLE Pass is valid only on SHUTTLE not Pierce Transit local buses. Virtual SHUTTLE Passes are for use by registered SHUTTLE customers only (see eligibility requirements). Passes are valid from the first to the last of the month. Passengers who ride fixed route buses should not purchase a Virtual SHUTTLE Pass; instead, Monthly Pass loaded on an ORCA card, cash, or a One Ride ticket should be used. For more information, call 253.581.8000 Option 1, then Option 3.
