Resources

Community Involvement

New! Virtual Transit Education for students!

Pierce Transit's Virtual Transit Education program is comprehensive and provides youth the opportunity to:

Explore what public transportation looks like around the world and in the Puget Sound region.
Practice using bus trip planning tools
Identify the bus stop and route(s) closest to their home or school

The program is student-paced and is perfect for youth ages 12-18. Participants need only internet connection and a computer to complete the program.

How to join: Click here to be directed to the program webpage. Once there, enter your name and school/organization name in the optional field. Reach out to Community Development staff at CommuteSolutions@PierceTransit.org with any questions.

Are you a nonprofit or school organization who is providing summer programming for Pierce County youth? We would love to get in touch about providing Pierce Transit's Virtual Transit Education program for your group! Please contact Alex Alderman at aalderman@piercetransit.org for more information.

NOTE: All in-person transit education and ride-a-longs have been suspended at this time.

Pierce Transit can exhibit at your next community event, provide engaging transit education to your group or plan a guided ride-a-long to a fun destination in Pierce County. Our community involvement programs are perfect for schools, senior centers, non-profits and other community organizations.

All programs are free and are specially catered to fit your group’s needs. Use the links below to schedule a program or contact us at 253.983.3792 or CommuteSolutions@PierceTransit.org for more information.

Community Events

Pierce Transit staff will host a booth/table at your event and provide Pierce Transit brochures, bus books, a tablet for individualized trip planning and a prize wheel with fun giveaways!

Click Here to Schedule

Transit Education

Pierce Transit staff will travel to your group to provide a presentation about riding the bus, paying your fare and planning a bus trip. We are happy to answer your public transportation questions.

Click here to schedule

Ride-a-longs

Have a group of people who are a bit nervous about riding the bus? Let Pierce Transit staff plan your trip, meet you at your organization and travel to and from your destination with you.

Click here to schedule

Travel Training

Pierce Transit offers individualized travel training, which is a free service for seniors and those with disabilities. Our travel trainers will work with you to ensure you feel confident to ride the bus.

Click here for more information

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