Snow in the Forecast

When it snows or is icy, sometimes bus routes need to go on detour to operate safely. Here is how you can stay informed about whether your route is on detour:

Routes that are on detour are listed on the PierceTransit.org home page (see Route Status).
Sign up for text alerts for your particular route(s). Visit PierceTransit.org/StayConnected and enter your mobile number in the box on the right to sign up.
Visit our Snow/Extreme Weather page to see where the bus goes - and doesn't go - when it's on detour. Scroll to Snow Detour Maps and click on the tab for your route(s).
Download our Snow Brochure at our Snow/Extreme Weather page.
Call a Pierce Transit's Customer Service Representative at 253.581.8000 (press option 1 three times). Our team can give you information about the status of your route.
Become familiar with the Downtown Tacoma Snow Circulator that Pierce Transit puts in place when roads are too slick for regular buses to travel around downtown Tacoma. When the Circulator is in place, all Pierce Transit buses (except Route 63) that normally stop at Commerce Street will take a safer route to 10th and Yakima, where you can make connections to other routes. Just go to any bus stop on the green or purple routes shown on the Snow Circulator map at our Snow/Extreme Weather page. A specially-marked Snow Circulator van will come by about every 15-20 minutes and take you to 10th and Yakima where you can transfer to your regular bus.

Here are some tips for riding the bus in snow and ice:

Wait for the bus at the top or bottom of the hill closest to the stop
Signal the bus so the driver has plenty of time to stop
Wait until the bus stops and the door opens before approaching the bus
Use handrails when getting on and off the bus
Wear highly visible and warm clothing

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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