In honor of Christmas and the New Year, Pierce Transit services will follow a holiday schedule as shown on our Holiday Service page. Enjoy the season!

• Pierce Transit is making a schedule change to Route 11 beginning Sunday, Dec. 14.
• Two new trips have been added to the Route 11 weekdays schedule, departing from Point Defiance Ferry Terminal at 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• This adjustment was made to better align with the bell schedules at SAMI and Stadium High School.
• There will be no changes to any of the Sound Transit routes operated by Pierce Transit.
• For schedule information, visit PierceTransit.org/service-change.

• The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Pierce Transit a $6.7 million Low or No Emission grant.
• These funds will be used to buy seven new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, which will replace diesel/hybrid buses that have reached their useful life.
• Nationally, the grants will help modernize America’s bus infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion and help people travel more efficiently and affordably.
• These competitive grants will also create living wage jobs in both rural and urban communities across the country.
• Zeroing in on Pierce County, this grant helps us support our goal of operating one of the most sustainable fleets in the industry, and provides our customers with a clean, comfortable, new-bus ride.

• The federal government is the largest employer in Pierce County, and Pierce Transit is happy to support those working there.
• The federal government shutdown has ended, but we recognize that many federal employees are still catching up on their finances.
• Therefore, through Dec. 31, all federal employees who present their government-issued ID may continue to ride free on all Pierce Transit services.
• This includes bus, SHUTTLE paratransit, Runner, and Rideshare.
• Pierce Transit will resume collecting fares from federal employees beginning January 1, 2026.

• In partnership with Pierce County and MultiCare, the Hardship Assistance Response Team (HART) program assists people on or near the Pierce Transit system who are in crisis by providing them with behavioral health resources.
• The HART program sets up a mobile response team to provide on-call service that includes collaboration between a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and a Public Safety Officer or Law Enforcement Officer.
• The DCR serves an advocate for the individual, especially when they cannot advocate for themselves.
• These are non-emergency, non-criminal situations that may involve mental health issues, substance use or other, similar situations.
• Areas covered include Pierce Transit coaches, routes, facilities (including transit centers and Park & Rides), bus stops and shelters within Pierce County.
• Note that the HART program will generally operate outside the City of Tacoma, as Tacoma has its own, similar program.

• Bus schedules and routes can be affected by snowfall and icy conditions.
• Know before you go by signing up for weather-related detour alerts.
• Riders can also sign up for alerts on individual routes, so they’ll know if their specific route goes on snow route/detour.
• Visit PierceTransit.org/Stay-Connected, enter your email address or mobile number, and select the “Snow Detours” or a specific route number topic.

• Youth ages 18 and under ride fare free on public transit throughout our region.
• Regional transit partners, including Pierce Transit, offer free rides to youth.
• Youth ORCA cards are recommended for youth 13 and older. They are available for free at FreeYouthTransitPass.com or at Pierce Transit Customer Service.
• Youth may also show the bus driver their student ID.

• Pierce Transit Runner is an on-demand service that offers connections to transit, typically in areas with limited transit options.
• There are six Runner zones serving Pierce County, providing connections to Ruston and along Ruston Way, the Tideflats, JBLM, in the Spanaway/Parkland/Midland area, Puyallup and in Gig Harbor.
• You can pay your fare using ORCA, Transit app on your smartphone, or a paper pass.
• When using ORCA, remember to have your card out and ready to tap on the driver’s ORCA reader.
• Youth 18 and younger ride free, but if you have a Youth ORCA card, have it ready when boarding Runner.
• For more information on Runner, including hours and fares, visit PierceTransit.org/Runner. You can download the Pierce Transit On Demand app, and also find Runner in the Transit app.

• Pierce Transit has been proudly serving the community since 1980.
• This year, we celebrated our 45th anniversary.
• Thank you for joining us at various commemorations and community outreach related to the anniversary throughout 2025!