What's New

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Pierce Transit is pleased to offer email and text message updates for passengers and the general public. This service allows subscribers to receive up-to-date information on service changes, major initiatives, job opportunities, route-specific impacts and more.

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STAY CONNECTED

Pierce Transit Key Messages & Topics August 2022

Come visit us at our Outreach booth at many local festivals, markets and events this summer!

Free Youth Transit Pass Starting This Fall

As part of the State Legislature’s Move Ahead Washington transportation package, youth ages 18 and under will ride fare free on public transit this Fall throughout our region.
Regional transit partners, including Pierce Transit, will be offering free rides to youth.
Youth can begin riding free on Pierce Transit services starting Sept. 1.
Watch our webpage, PierceTransit.org/FreeYouthPass, for more information on how to get your card and access these free transit rides for youth.

Commerce Temporarily Closed Due to Construction

Because of construction associated with Sound Transit’s Tacoma Link Hilltop Extension project, the Commerce Transit Center will be closed to the public for the month of August.
Every downtown route will be on detour except route 28.
Buses will run on Market between 11th and 13th with stops occurring at 11th. Sound Transit Express buses will also use the 11th and Market stop.
Note that other stop closures may occur in the construction zone such as at 9th and Broadway.

Runner Now Connects More Neighborhoods

Pierce Transit Runner is an on-demand service that offers a quick, car-free transportation solution, typically in areas with limited transit options.
There are currently four Runner zones serving Pierce County, providing connections to Ruston, the Tideflats, JBLM and, later this month, in the Spanaway/Parkland/Midland area… especially helpful to seniors and those with limited mobility options.
For more information on Runner services, including hours and fares, visit PierceTransit.org/Runner.

Pierce Transit’s Podcast Offers Inside Scoop

Pierce Transit hosts a monthly podcast, with the goal of giving the public a chance to learn more about what we do behind the scenes at Pierce Transit.
This South Sound Connected podcast showcases the work of various departments and partners that help get transit services to our community.
Listen to the latest episode and subscribe to South Sound Connected, available on Spotify and at PierceTransit.org in the “Transit News” feed.

Gig Harbor Route 100 Summer Service

Like other transit agencies around the nation and the region, Pierce Transit is experiencing a shortage of bus drivers.
While we are working hard to recruit new drivers, and have training classes underway, we still do not have the workforce this summer that we need to provide service outside our standard routes.
So unfortunately, due to this Pierce Transit driver shortage, the Gig Harbor Trolley service is not running in 2022.
To at least provide a Trolley presence in the community, Pierce Transit is using trolley-wrapped buses on the Route 100 throughout the summer.
An extra stop in Uptown has been added to the Route 100 for the summer season.
Standard Pierce Transit fares are collected on Route 100.

Stream System Expansion Study

The first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor is in design and has been recommended for construction funding by the Federal Transit Administration along Pacific Avenue/Hwy 7.
Pierce Transit is conducting a comprehensive 15-month planning study of the next four logical fixed routes in the system to be upgraded to BRT.
This critical decision will include input from our stakeholders, planning partners, the municipalities we serve, and our customers.
Find more information at PierceTransit.org/BRT-expansion-study

Get on Board with a Great Career

Pierce Transit is currently looking for Public Safety Officers, Bus Operators and Mechanics, as well as technicians and administrative staff.
If you know someone looking for a rewarding, family-wage job with excellent benefits and training, please encourage them to visit PierceTransit.org/careers to apply.

Moving Forward

When we say the safety of our riders and employees is our top priority, we mean it. As soon as COVID-19 hit we took immediate action implementing safety measures and precautions to keep our operators and riders safe and provide them with peace of mind. You’ll see our commitment to reconnecting you to life throughout Pierce Transit's service area. We want to point out some things that may look a little different next time you ride.

Click HERE to learn what we are doing.

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