Pierce Transit Runner
Pierce Transit Runner is now available in Transit, Pierce Transit’s all-in-one app to plan, track and pay for rides. Thanks to this new integration, riders can for the first time plan and pay for trips that combine Pierce Transit’s on-demand and regular bus services. Read more here.
Runner Means On-Demand Transit
With one simple smartphone app and just a few taps, Pierce Transit Runner will pick you up and drop you off in certain areas where a bus may not be available – all for the same low public transit fare. Convenient, fast, and affordable on-demand transportation is at your fingertips to help you get to work, school, shopping or connect to local buses or regional rail.
What is Runner?
Convenient
Use your phone to tell Pierce Transit Runner where you are and where you want to go. Runner pairs riders headed in the same direction to ensure faster service. Also, with your ORCA card, you can transfer easily to or from a bus.
Affordable
Ride the Runner for the same cost as a Pierce Transit bus trip. Also, Runner doesn’t raise prices during peak hours, so you can rely on the same great pricing whenever you ride!
Transit Options
The app will list your best transit choice based on your pickup and drop-off points—in some cases that may be a trip on the bus or another transit service.
Hours and Locations
Use this map to see an overview of Pierce Transit’s Runner zones and bus routes. Zoom in for a closer look, or enter an address or landmark in the search box.
 Ride anywhere in the zone |
 Ride anywhere in the zone or to hubs up to 2 miles away |
 Ride between designated stops |
South Hill
Daily7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Parkland | Midland
Daily7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fife | Milton | Edgewood | Tacoma
Weekdays5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Weekends
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Waterfront | Tacoma
Weekdays5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Weekends
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Daily7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Lakewood | McChord Air Base
Weekdays
7 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Call-in only 253.581.8000, option 4
RIDERS ENTERING JBLM MUST HAVE AN APPROVED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ID.
Runner service does not operate on the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- July 4th
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
JBLM Runner service observes additional holidays:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Juneteenth
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Christmas Eve
How to ride Runner
3 easy steps to get on board in no time.
1. Create an account
Download the Runner app from your preferred app store and follow the simple signup steps.
2. Book a ride.
Enter your pick up and drop off addresses. Choose the ride that works for you by tapping Book This Ride.
*Tap the accessibility icon in your profile to enable wheelchair-accessible vehicle requests.
3. Meet your driver.
Check the app to track your driver's location in realtime so you know exactly when to meet your ride.
Book a ride by calling 253.581.8000, option 4.
FARES AND PAYMENT
Pierce Transit Runner costs the same as a bus ride, and daily and 30 Day passes are accepted. Pay your fare using ORCA, Transit app on your smartphone, or a paper pass. Cash is not accepted on board, except for JBLM.
- $2.00 for an adult ages 19-64
- $1.00 discounted fare for eligible riders showing RRFP card (seniors ages 65+ and people with disabilities) or tapping ORCA LIFT card (low-income families).
- FREE for Youth riders 18 and younger (with Youth ORCA card or valid student ID), thanks to Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Click here for more information.
- To pay using cash, visit one of the many ORCA retail locations or vending machines to convert your cash to E-Purse value. For more information on buying or using an ORCA card, visit myorca.com.
HAVE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS?
People with Disabilities
Wheelchair-accessible Runner vehicles are available. If you require an accessible vehicle, need other mobility assistance, or have trouble walking short distances, please indicate all needs within your Runner profile. If you book rides over the phone, tell the customer service agent about your ride support needs as well. Please note, only one wheelchair passenger will fit in each Runner vehicle. The wheelchair ramp is designed to accommodate up to 600 pounds and wheelchairs up to 36 inches wide.
Service animals are welcome on board, but we cannot accommodate pets.
And the Pierce Transit Runner app accommodates people with disabilities through many other features, which may be found here: info.ridewithvia.com/accessibility.
People with Limited English Ability
The Pierce Transit Runner app and call center support multiple languages, allowing riders to get Runner service using their preferred language. To book in other languages, call Runner customer service directly at 253.600.4146. This does not apply to JBLM Runner.
Low-Income Families
Low-income riders can receive discounted fare if they pay with an ORCA LIFT card. For more information on ORCA LIFT, visit: PierceTransit.org/orcalift/.
Low-income families may also be eligible for free or discounted smartphones and cellular service through Lifeline, the Federal Communications Commission’s program to make communications services accessible to low-income consumers. For more information on getting a smartphone through Lifeline, visit: lifelinesupport.org/ or fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
- Please be ready and on time to ride.
- This service may be limited, including at peak times and when events are happening in the zone.
- If another transit option is nearby and arriving within 15 minutes, ride requests will be redirected to that service.
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Can I book rides without a smartphone?
+Yes, simply call 253.581.8000, option 4 and we’ll assist you over the phone.
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Why do I need both the Transit app and Runner app?
+The Transit app is Pierce Transit’s one-stop-shop for planning your public transit trip. It shows you real-time bus ETAs and provides step-by-step travel directions for multiple services. If you are in one of the areas served by Runner and want to get picked up, click the Request Ride button to open the Pierce Transit Runner app and submit your trip booking.
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Can I bring someone along with me?
+Sure! You can book rides for you and up to four additional passengers. All additional passengers will be charged either a full or discounted fare depending on their rider group.
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Are child car seats available?
+We will not supply car seats, but riders traveling with children who require them may bring their own. Riders are responsible for properly securing any such car seat and for ensuring that it fits all legal requirements.
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Does Runner accommodate bikes and strollers?
+No
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How do I know where to meet my driver?
+It will be clear in the app where and when the driver will come and pick you up. Check the app to follow your driver’s progress in real-time so you know exactly when to meet your ride. JBLM Runner only picks up and drops off at designated stops listed on the service map.
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Can I cancel my ride?
+Yes, you can cancel your ride directly from the app or by calling customer service at 253.581.8000, option 4. Remember, canceling at the last minute can negatively impact other riders, so please cancel as soon you know that you don’t need a ride.
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What should I do if my driver leaves without me?
+Re-book directly in your app or by calling the phone number, and then send an email explaining what happened to support-pierce@ridewithvia.com. You won’t be charged for this ride.
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What do the vehicles look like?
+All vehicles are branded with Pierce Transit Runner's logo and colors, so they should be easy to spot.
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Are wheelchair-accessible vehicles available?
+Yes! Please let us know you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when you book your ride by tapping your profile picture or image at the top of the app menu and tapping the Wheelchair-Accessibility toggle to turn it on, or by talking to the customer service agent.
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Can I change my destination once I’m on board?
+Once you start a ride, the destination cannot be changed. If you have not yet boarded the vehicle, you can cancel the ride and re-book with a new destination, but you may need to wait for another vehicle to become available.
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Can I set a favorite location in the app?
+Yes. Tap the Favorites tab in the app menu, then tap Set Home Address, Set Work Address, or create and name a new favorite.
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What are the points of interest in the app?
+These are locations we believe will be popular origins and destinations for rides. Select them to easily choose where you need to go to or from!
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Is there a minimum age to ride?
+Children under the age of 13 can ride when accompanied by a parent or guardian. We will not supply car seats, but riders traveling with children who require them may bring their own. Riders are responsible for properly securing any such car seat and for ensuring that it fits all legal requirements.
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Can I leave feedback for my driver?
+Feel free to fill out the feedback screen in the app after your ride.
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Do I tip the driver?
+No. Our drivers do not accept tips.
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How do I reset my password?
+Open the app and select “Get Started.” In the password box, select “Forgot your password?” and follow the prompts.
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I left something in the vehicle — how do I retrieve it?
+Please email support-pierce@ridewithvia.com with a description of the missing item. JBLM Runner customers should contact Pierce Transit directly through PierceTransit.org/contact-us/ or by calling 253.581.8000, option 2.
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How do I report a complaint?
+Please contact support-pierce@ridewithvia.com or call the support line at 253.600.4146 to report a complaint. Be sure to include as much information as possible and we’ll do our best to help. JBLM Runner customers should contact Pierce Transit directly through PierceTransit.org/contact-us/ or by calling 253.581.8000, option 2.
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Where can I find more information on Runner service policies?
+For Puyallup, Ruston, Tideflats and Spanaway Runners, general policies are described at city.ridewithvia.com/runner.
