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Pierce Transit to reduce weekday bus service by 28% starting March 30

Starting Monday, March 30, Pierce Transit will reduce weekday bus service by about 28 percent until further notice. This week Pierce Transit’s bus ridership is down 57 percent compared to March 2019. The reduced service levels will take into consideration lower ridership levels while also allowing room for social distancing between customers on buses.

“Pierce Transit ridership is down significantly, but we are still committed to providing this essential service during this challenging time for our community,” said Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier. “Many people have no other way to get to a critical-service job, get food or to a medical appointment. Our goal is to continue providing public transportation services while approaching reductions in a measured, thoughtful way. Our employees are taking their jobs as essential workers very seriously, and I am proud of the work they are doing to serve our community during this time.”

Under the reduced schedule, weekday routes will start and end around the same timeframe as a typical weekday, but buses will run less frequently. Routes will run as normal on weekends. Route 102 in Gig Harbor will not run during this time, since riders from the Gig Harbor area can reach Tacoma using other bus routes. Service reductions were planned to minimize impact on customers and ensure people still have early and late trips available to access jobs and other life needs.

During the new schedule, riders can find out when their next bus is coming by:
  • Checking their routes on PierceTransit.org/Pierce-Transit-Routes. Updated weekday schedules will be posted March 29, with an updated Route and Schedule book posted to that webpage later today. 
  • Texting 253.533.7084 from their bus stop and entering the bus stop number found on the pole. 
  • Using a bus locator app, such as Transit or One Bus Away.
Beginning March 27, riders can plan ahead using the agency’s Trip Planner and entering their date of travel. They can also sign up for route text alerts by visiting PierceTransit.org/StayConnected

Pierce Transit has instituted a number of steps aimed at increasing social distancing on buses between employees and the public, and amongst customers. Fare collection is suspended on buses and SHUTTLE vehicles until further notice, and customers are being asked to board buses using rear doors only, unless they need mobility assistance. The agency has also closed its administrative lobby and customer service lobby to the public.

Other options for getting information about Pierce Transit’s services include:   
  • Toll-Free Line:  1.800.562.8109
In an effort to keep as many people as possible in our community working, Pierce Transit is thinking creatively about ways to shift duties and accomplish the work needed as a result of the pandemic. The agency has offered bus operators the opportunity to take voluntary time off during this time. Every person who chooses this option keeps another person working. The agency has also ended overtime work and is offering impacted employees work on other types of projects needed now, such as cleaning and disinfecting buses and conducting verbal health screenings as employees arrive at work.


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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


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