Snow in the Forecast!

There is snow in the forecast! Here are ways you can stay informed about Pierce Transit snow detours and other weather-related route impacts:

Keep an eye on Pierce Transit's website. Detours will be posted on the home page.
Once on detour, know where your route will travel by visiting our Snow/Extreme Weather page and clicking the tab (at the bottom) for your route number. The black dotted line shows the detour route; the red line indicates the portion of the route with no service during the detour.
Sign up for route-specific text messages that will arrive when your route goes on/off detour. Visit PierceTransit.org/StayConnected, enter your mobile number in the box on the right and select your route number(s) to sign up.
Keep an eye on Pierce Transit's Twitter page.

What Determines if My Routes Goes on its Snow Route Detour?

Because Pierce Transit's service area spans 272 square miles, road and weather conditions can vary widely. Pierce Transit determines which routes to place on "snow route" detour status on a route-by-route basis. During a snow event, buses may come less frequently and it may take longer to get to your destination, especially if buses are chained and roads are icy or snowy.

Be Prepared

Here is what you can do to ensure a safe transit trip during adverse weather:

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your bus stop. Walking conditions will likely be different from usual during ice and snow events.
Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Remember, you may need to walk a bit further to a stop if your route is on detour.
Make sure the bus driver can see you. Even in daylight, stormy conditions can reduce visibility. Carry a flashlight, and use your cellphone light to flag the bus (please don't flash it in the bus driver's eyes - thank you!). Wear bright and/or reflective clothing so you can easily be seen.
Make sure your cell phone is charged so you can get those route-specific text alerts you signed up to receive.
In severe snow and ice, buses often avoid hills. If your bus stop is in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom where the operator can safely stop.
Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop. Buses can slip sideways in icy road conditions.

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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