Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit, officially the Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation, is an operator of public transit in Pierce County, Washington. It operates a variety of services, including fixed-route buses, dial-a-ride transportation, vanpool and ride-matching for carpools. The agency's service area covers the urbanized portions of Pierce County, part of the Seattle metropolitan area, and includes the city of Tacoma.

Pierce Transit

A compressed natural gas bus operated by Pierce Transit
Founded	1979
Headquarters	3701 96th Street Southwest Lakewood, Washington
Locale	Pierce County, Washington
Service type	Bus, vanpool, paratransit
Fleet	155 buses
Annual ridership	9,104,337 (2015)
Fuel type	Diesel, compressed natural gas
Chief executive	Sue Dreier
Website	www.piercetransit.org

History

See also: Streetcars in Tacoma, Washington

Public transportation in Pierce County historically focused on the city of Tacoma, which laid its first streetcar lines in 1888. The streetcars were phased out in the 1930s and replaced with citywide bus service, with the last line closing in 1938.[1] The operators of the streetcar and bus systems, Tacoma Transit Company, was acquired by the city government in 1961 for $750,000. Under city ownership, the system was funded by a $0.75 monthly household tax first levied in 1965.[2]

A public transportation benefit area (PTBA) was created in 1979 with the goal of establishing a countywide bus system. On November 6, 1979, voters in Tacoma approved a 0.3 percent sales tax to fund a new transit system, the Pierce County Transportation Benefit Area or "Pierce Transit". Pierce Transit took over Tacoma Transit's routes on January 1, 1980, and over the following year annexed other systems throughout the county.[2]

Pierce Transit began operating express bus service from Lakewood and Tacoma to Downtown Seattle on September 17, 1990.[3] The routes were later converted into Sound Transit Express routes, funded by the regional transit authority and operated by Pierce Transit, in 1999.[4] The agency opened its central bus hub at Tacoma Dome Station in 1997, where Sounder commuter rail and Tacoma Link light rail service began operating in 2000 and 2003, respectively.[5][6]

The passage of Initiative 695 in 1999 eliminated the use of motor vehicle excise tax, a funding source for local transit throughout the state, leading to service cuts at Pierce Transit despite it later being ruled unconstitutional by the Washington Supreme Court. In 2000, 14 percent of service was reduced and a fare increase was set to temporarily make up for revenue from the tax, which made up 38 percent of the agency's operating budget. Voters approved a 0.3 percent sales tax increase to fund transit service during a special election in February 2002,[7] preventing a planned cut in bus service of up to 45 percent, and up to 25 percent for paratransit.[8][9]

Funding crisis

In 2012, Pierce Transit argued that it was in an unsustainable state due to its reserves running out, and as a result, must cut service by 53% in order to become sustainable again. Pierce Transit argued that if taxes within its service area were increased by 0.3%, Pierce Transit would not have had to cut service, and instead could have improved service by 23%.[10] Opponents of the 0.3% tax increase in Pierce County (also known as Proposition 1) advertised a sales tax increase to 10.1% (the "highest on the West Coast"), but in reality that rate would have only applied to motor vehicles due to the state motor vehicle sales and use tax.[11] Most taxable goods and services would have been taxed at the rate of 9.8%. Pierce Transit proposed a similar increase in sales tax in 2011, which was eventually rejected by the public.[12] Proposition 1, proposed in the 2012 general election, has also been rejected by the public.[13]

In May 2012, the cities of Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Orting, and Sumner withdrew from the boundaries of Pierce Transit's service area, which shrunk to 292 square miles (760 km²).[14]

Bus rapid transit service

Pierce Transit plans to build a bus rapid transit system on Pacific Avenue between Tacoma and Spanaway, replacing a 14.4-mile (23.2 km) section of Route 1. The $150 million project, partially funded by Sound Transit 3 and the federal government, is scheduled to begin construction in 2020 and open in 2022.[15] The bus rapid transit line is planned to use curb-side and median stations, with 3.6 miles (5.8 km) of dedicated bus lanes and 32 total stations.[16]

Administration

Pierce Transit is operated by nine-member Board of Commissioners composed of elected officials throughout the county. The Board of Commissioners operates under a Chief Executive Officer, Sue Drier.[17] A staff of approximately 1,000 man the five departments, with over 50% working in Transit Operations.

Police

Pierce Transit contracts with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department for police services. There are currently 16 patrol deputies assigned full-time to Pierce Transit. The command staff of Pierce Transit Police include two Supervising Sergeants and the Transit Police Chief(provided by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department - under contract). The Pierce Transit system is also patrolled by 17 specially commissioned Peace Officers (Public Safety Officers).

Services

As of 2012, Pierce Transit served a 292-square-mile (760 km²) area with a population of approximately 557,000.[14] Areas served include Auburn, Edgewood, Federal Way, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Lakewood, Milton, Pacific, Purdy, Puyallup, Ruston, South Hill, Steilacoom, Tacoma and University Place.

In 2008, 19 million people utilized its services. 272 wheelchair-accessible buses circulate between 3,300 bus stops, 626 bus shelters and 28 park-and-ride lots. Additionally, Pierce Transit runs 11 transit centers and stations. Pierce Transit also provides vanpool, ridematching and express transportation between counties. Disabled passengers who are not able to use Pierce Transit's buses have access to a special transportation system called SHUTTLE.

Bus routes

Route #	Route Name	Notes	Continues as
1	6th Ave–Pacific Ave
2	S 19th St–Bridgeport Way
3	Lakewood–Tacoma
4	Lakewood–South Hill
10	Pearl St
11	Point Defiance		41
13	N 30th St	Monday–Friday only
16	North End		48
28	S 12th St
41	S 56th St–Salishan		11
42	McKinley Ave
45	Yakima
48	Sheridan–M St		16
52	Fircrest–TCC
53	University Place		55
54	38th St–Portland Ave
55	Tacoma Mall		53
57	Union–S 19th St–Hilltop
63	NE Tacoma Express	Weekday, peak-hours only
100	Gig Harbor
102	Gig Harbor Express	Weekday, peak-hours only
202	72nd St		409
206	Pacific Hwy–Tillicum
212	Steilacoom		214
214	Washington		212
400	Puyallup–Downtown Tacoma	Monday–Friday only
402	Meridian
409	Puyallup–72nd St TC		202
425	Puyallup Connector	Monday–Saturday only
497	Lakeland Hills Express	Weekday, peak-hours only
500	Federal Way
501	Milton–Federal Way

Fares

Service	Adult	Youth/Senior/Disabled
Local	$2	$1
Pierce Transit Local 24-Hour Pass	$5	$2.50
Pierce Transit Local Monthly Pass	$72	$36
Summer Youth Pass	-	$36 (Youth only)

• Under 6 ride free with a fare-paying rider; limit is 3.
• Passengers aged 6 to 18 pay youth fare.
• Summer Youth Pass only valid on Pierce Transit from June to August.
• Passengers 19 to 64 pay adult fare unless they have a valid regional reduced fare permit.

Fares last updated on: 3/1/2016 [18]

Facilities

Transit Centers

• 512 Park and Ride
• 72nd St Transit Center
• 10th and Commerce (Downtown Tacoma)
• Lakewood Transit Center
• Lakewood Sounder Station
• Parkland Transit Center
• South Hill Mall Transit Center
• Tacoma Dome Station
• Tacoma Mall Transit Center
• TCC Transit Center

Fleet

In 1986, Pierce Transit began experimenting with compressed natural gas as a fuel source for its bus fleet by modifying two existing buses, becoming the first agency in the nation to do so.[19] As of 2018, 118 of the 153 buses in the agency's fleet run on compressed natural gas. Other models are diesel–electric hybrids or use electric batteries.[20]

Bus

See also: Sound Transit § Fleet

As of June 2020[21][22]

Manufacturer	Model	Year	Fleet Numbers	Qty.	Length	Fuel Type	Notes	Image
Gillig	Phantom 40'	1999	8018–8069	23	40 ft (12 m)	Diesel	Reserve fleet Acquired from Sound Transit 8022, 8026–8027, 8030, 8036–8042, 8046–8054, 8058, 8060–8062, 8064–8065, 8067 retired Some buses used on Sound Transit Express
	Low Floor CNG (G27D102N4)	2015	251–260	10		CNG
		2016	261–270	10
	Low Floor CNG (G31D102N4)	2017	271–277	7
	Low Floor HEV 40' (G30D102N4)	2010	501–509	9		Hybrid Electric
		2013	510–515	6
		2014	516–521	6
	Low Floor CNG (G31D102N4)	2018	10101–10123	23		CNG
		2019	10124–10143	20
Chance	AH-28 Streetcar	2000	330–332	3	28 ft (8.5 m)	Diesel	Replica trolleys Acquired from Link Transit
New Flyer	C40LF	2002	167–184	18	40 ft (12 m)	CNG
		2004	185–204	20
		2005	205–229	25
	C40LFR	2007	230–239	10
		2008	240–250	11
	C30LF	2004	305–319	8	30 ft (9.1 m)		Reserve fleet 311–317 retired
			311–317	7
Proterra	Catalyst E2	2018	522–524	3	40 ft (12 m)	Battery Electric

Shuttle/Bus Plus

	Make	Model	Purchased	Retired	Qty.	Fleet Numbers	Fuel Type
	Ford E450	ElDorado Aerotech	2004	retired	49	5001-5049
	Ford E450	ElDorado Aerotech	2005		30	5801-5809, 5050-5070
	Ford E450	?	2006		5	5071-5075
	Ford E450	ElDorado Aerotech	2007			5810-5819, 5076-5100
	Ford E450	ElDorado Aerotech	2012	in service	38	5101-5138	Unleaded
			2014		18	5149-5160, 5165-5170
			2014		10	5139-5148	CNG
			2016		30	5171-5200	Unleaded

Vanpool

Make	Model	Year	Retired	Qty.	Fleet Numbers
Ford	E350	2002	retired	1	4116
		2003		24	4140, 4143, 4144, 4146-4148, 4151-4153, 4155, 4157, 4158, 4160, 4161, 4163-4165, 4167-4171, 4176, 4179
		2006	most retired	67	7095-7161
	E350XL	2005	retired	48	7014-7061
		2008	partially retired	23	7226-7248
		2013	in service	19	7342-7360
	E450	2005		2	5800, 5811
	Transit Connect	2016		21	7404-7424
Chevrolet	Astro	200X	retired	12	4122, 4123, 4127, 4129-4136, 4139
	Express Van	2007		56	7162-7217
		2008	mostly retired	15	7218-7225, 7249-7255
		2010	in service	66	7256-7321
		2012		20	7322-7341
		2014		28	7361-7366, 7373-7394
	Express 3500	2016		60	7473-7532
		2017-2018		62	7546-7607
Dodge	Grand Caravan	2005	retired	14	7000-7013
		2015	in service	9	7395-7403
		2017		13	7533-7545
	Caravan	2018		8	7608-7615
		2019		10	7625-7634
Chrysler	Pacifica	2019		8	7616-7623

Ferry

• Steilacoom-Anderson Island Ferry

Adjoining transit agencies

• King County Metro
• Kitsap Transit
• Intercity Transit
• Washington State Ferries

References

1. Malloy, Dick; Ott, John S. (1993). The Tacoma Public Utility Story: The First 100 Years, 1893–1993. Tacoma Public Utilities. OCLC 29528435.
2. Public Transportation Office (October 1984). "Local Transit". Public Transportation in Washington State (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 105–106. OCLC 13007541. Retrieved September 10, 2016 – via National Transportation Library.
3. Shatzkin, Kate (September 17, 1990). "Commuters happy to let others do driving: Tacoma-to-Seattle bus has a successful start". The Seattle Times. p. D1. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
4. Whitely, Peyton (September 17, 1999). "Buses ready to roll". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
5. Kaiman, Beth (September 12, 2000). "Commuter rail service to begin; New trains will run between Tacoma and Seattle". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
6. Lindblom, Mike (August 23, 2003). "Sound Transit starts small with Tacoma Link system". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
7. Corvin, Aaron (February 6, 2002). "Pierce County voters approve sales-tax increase for transit agency". The News Tribune. p. 1.
8. "Pierce Transit approves request for sales tax request on 2002 ballot". Tacoma Daily Index. December 5, 2001. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
9. Corvin, Aaron (January 28, 2002). "Future of Tacoma bus system riding on levy". The News Tribune. p. 1.
10. http://www.piercetransit.org/prop1/
11. http://dor.wa.gov/content/FindTaxesAndRates/OtherTaxes/tax_motorvehicle.aspx
12. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/23/1513538/crisis-point-for-pierce-transit.html
13. http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/11/pierce_transit_prop_1_fails_defated_bus_cuts_pierce_county_transportation_tacoma.php
14. "Summer 2012 Report to the Community" (PDF). Pierce Transit. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
15. Ruud, Candice (April 6, 2018). "Wave as they pass your car. Fast buses could be coming to a long stretch of Pacific Avenue". The News Tribune. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
16. Sailor, Craig (April 10, 2019). "Pierce Transit board chooses middle-of-the-road solution for $150 million bus project". The News Tribune. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
17. "Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation". Archived from the original on 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
18. http://www.piercetransit.org/PT-fares
19. Wald, Matthew L. (April 7, 1989). "Alternative-Fuel Vehicles Move From Fancy to Fact". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
20. Cohen, Josh (October 11, 2018). "How an explosion in Canada threatened to stop buses in Pierce County". Crosscut.com. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
21. "Appendix D – Inventories". 2019-2024 Transit Development Plan (Report). Pierce Transit. 2019. pp. D1–D37. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
22. "Pierce Transit". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. Retrieved June 22, 2020.

External links

• Official website