Snow Routes

The maps below show what your routes will be doing if they are on snow detour.

The following routes are most likely to be affected by severe weather. You may board your bus along the unaffected portions of the route.

Every attempt will be made to continue wheelchair-accessible service. However, occasionally sand and salt interfere with the lift mechanism Call 253.581.8000 before heading to your bus stop. Snowy weather may cause delays and temporary detours, but our transit operators and support staff work to give you the best service possible.

For information about routes currently on detour, please visit Pierce Transit’s home page or Stay Connected by receiving text alerts HERE. To speak with a customer service representative call 253.581.8000 (Press 1 three times).

Tips for riding the bus in snow and ice:

Wait for the bus at the top of bottom of the hill closest to the stop.
Signal the bus so that the operator 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.

Snow Circulator

When the roads are too slick for regular buses to safely travel in and out of downtown Tacoma, we will place our routes on snow detour. All Pierce Transit buses (except Route 63) that normally stop at Commerce Street will take a safer route to 10th & Yakima where you can make connections to other routes.

To get in or out of downtown Tacoma, go to any bus stop on the green or purple routes shown here and take the Snow Circulator vans to 10th & Yakima to transfer to your regular bus. The circulators are small, chained vehicles with a Snow Circulator sign on the side.

Snow Detour Maps

Sign up to get route-specific text alerts on your phone! Visit PierceTransit.org/StayConnected, enter your mobile phone number (box on the right) and select your route.

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