New! Express service between NE Tacoma and downtown

On Monday, September 28 Pierce Transit will reintroduce express service between Northeast Tacoma and downtown Tacoma. The new Route 63 is a one-year pilot project to test demand for the service. Among other benefits, the route will offer NE Tacoma residents a quick and easy way to get downtown and back, and improved connections with the Federal Way Transit Center. This is the first time since 2011 Pierce Transit has been able to offer direct service between NE Tacoma and downtown.

The NE Tacoma Express will provide three morning peak-time trips from NE Tacoma into downtown, and three late afternoon/early evening peak-time trips from downtown back to NE Tacoma. To further assist riders, Pierce Transit has partnered with King County Metro, which is extending its Route 903 to connect with Pierce Transitâ€™s new Route 63. Route 903 delivers and picks people up in their neighborhoods around NE Tacoma and at the Federal Way Transit Center. Riders can use an ORCA card (www.piercetransit.org/orca-smart-card/) to seamlessly ride both systems.

NE Tacoma Express Route 63 will operate as a one-year demonstration project from Sept. 28, 2015 to September 2016. Toward the end of that period the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners will consider the ridership and effectiveness of the route to determine if it should be made permanent.

The NE Tacoma Express pilot project is a result of a committed team of stakeholders that worked with Pierce Transit to plan for the route, including the Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council, the Norpoint communities, Metro Parks, the Port of Tacoma, the Puyallup Tribe, the Tacoma City Council and the City of Tacoma.

For more information about the new NE Tacoma Express Route 63, including specific pick-up and drop-off times and locations, visit www.piercetransit.org/route-63-demonstration-project/.

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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

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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.)
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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