The Choice is Yours

The COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it—and it may have changed us individually as well, from our morning routines to our life goals and priorities. It’s important to remember and recognize what everyone endured. More importantly to recognize how our habits changed and how certain aspects of our life improved. It's time for a new day and a new way.

There are many things we have discovered about ourselves and the communities we live in during this time. We learned masks are useful tools to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and common flu. We learned there's alternative ways to doing things such as telehealth. While there are still problems for which you need to see a doctor in person, the pandemic introduced a new urgency to what had been a gradual switchover to online platforms.

While everyone’s situation is different, many have seen that it’s possible to be resilient in a crisis. People have practiced self-care in a multitude of ways during the pandemic as they were forced to adjust to new work schedules, change their gym routines, and cut back on socializing. Many started seeking out new strategies including how they commute.

Pierce Transit has had challenges too, but we have provided service to our community every day during the pandemic. We have taken this opportunity to re-evaluate and improve our services. These have included providing microtransit solutions, commute solutions for employers, safe working and traveling environments, and contactless digital services to help commuters get where they're going. While the world may look a little different, the one thing that has remained true is Pierce Transit has been there for you. It's time to think and act to make change

NEW things in transit to make your DAY easier.

YOUTH

Youth 18 and younger ride FREE on all Pierce Transit services! It’s more affordable than ever to make a bus ride part of your next family outing. Or, if the kids are old enough to get around on their own, consider teaching them how to ride the bus.

RUNNER

Microtransit is an "ON-DEMAND," easy-to-use service that makes getting to “regular” transit easier. It may fill the gaps when you need a ride during hours when buses are less frequent, or in areas where full-size buses can’t travel. Our microtransit service is called Pierce Transit Runner. Runner fares are the same as bus fares and All Day Passes make it easy to use both services. Find out where you can go on Runner!

Masks

These days, masks are optional when you ride Pierce Transit. For the foreseeable future, all Pierce Transit buses will still be equipped with mask dispensers near the front door. Feel free to pick up a mask if you’d like one.

Safety

Transit continues to be a safe option. Pierce Transit is cleaning and disinfecting our buses regularly and filtering the air onboard. It's up to all of us to be responsible, and protect our neighbors by staying home when we are sick.

Vanpool

New simplified fares and signup make vanpooling even easier. Fewer people are needed now to start a new group, it’s easy to know up front how much your fare will be, and it’s simple to pay your fare online. Vanpool fares cover gas, insurance and maintenance of the vehicle. We even have a new part-time Vanpool rider service!

New Tech

Pierce Transit is making it easier to plan and pay for transit trips, in contactless ways. With our partner apps and web-based regional Trip Planner, reliable and accurate schedules and “live bus”/real-time information is at your fingertips.

RIDE IN REAL-TIME

Download Transit to find the fastest way around Pierce County and the region.
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PLAN A TRIP

No apps no worries. Use our online Trip Planner to get where you're going.
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TEXT ALERTS

Get Route Updates, Rider Alerts and Pierce Transit Runner news sent to your phone.
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PAY YOUR FARE

There’s an easy way to buy Pierce Transit tickets and passes right from your smart phone!
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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