Pierce Transit is transitioning from a bus route system designed four decades ago to one that better meets the traveling needs of the region today and into the future.

Over the last several months the agency has been conducting a comprehensive analysis of its existing bus service and gathering the public’s ideas for improvements and efficiencies via open houses and online. Of the nearly 1,000 responses received, the two most-requested improvements were increased frequency (having the bus arrive more often) and a longer span of service on weekdays.

Pierce Transit has taken that public feedback, along with growth projections and other research, and crafted recommendations for a more efficient routing plan that will increase frequency and span of service on many routes. The agency is now ready to unveil the analysis findings and bus route alternatives, and gather feedback from the public.

Community members are invited to attend an open house to see the various proposed route maps and offer their input:

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Wheelock Library (Proctor)

3722 N. 26th Street, Tacoma

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Served by Routes 11, 16, 51

Wednesday, Oct. 19 

Salishan Family Investment Center

1724 E. 44th St., Tacoma

6 – 8 p.m.

Served by Route 41

Tuesday, Oct. 25

Pierce Transit Bldg 5, Rainier Room

3720 – 96th St. SW, Lakewood

3 – 5 p.m.

Served by Routes 48, 300

Those unable to attend the open houses will be able to view route maps and offer input on Pierce Transit’s website starting later in October.

Pierce Transit will hold a public hearing on a preferred plan Nov. 14 during its regular board meeting. The meeting, which starts at 4 p.m., will take place in Pierce Transit’s Rainier Room, 3720 – 96th St. SW, Lakewood. The hearing is served by Routes 48 and 300.

The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners is expected to finalize the updated routes mid-December 2016 for implementation in March 2017.

– Pierce Transit