Pierce Transit To Implement Service Change Sept 19

Pierce Transit will implement its twice-yearly service change Sept. 19, with bus route changes consisting primarily of trip time adjustments on just over a dozen routes. Details of all changes by route are available at PierceTransit.org/pierce-transit-routes.

With this service change Pierce Transit is also moving away from producing the Routes & Schedules books, transitioning to digital resources that provide riders with the most current information available, updated in real time. The Routes & Schedules book has become a dated resource; it is printed only annually and can lead to bus riders referencing obsolete bus schedules, since schedules often change throughout the year. This has been especially evident during the pandemic with the need to change schedules multiple times in response to COVID-19-related impacts.

The transition away from a printed schedule book will significantly reduce the agency’s use of paper, and eliminate time spent developing and distributing books that become less accurate over the year. Customers preferring to use paper schedules may print their own from the PierceTransit.org website—just choose your route and click “Download Route PDF.” Or, riders may request free, printed individual route schedules from the agency’s Customer Service department at PierceTransit.org/routes-and-schedules-order-form.

Pierce Transit provides free Wi-Fi on buses and has invested in other technology that helps riders understand system conditions, such as bus departures and delays in real-time. Riders can get up-to-date rider information through:

Public website PierceTransit.org, for complete schedules (to view, download or print by route), maps, trip planning, service alerts and real-time information.
Monitors at major boarding hubs, showing real-time arrival information.
Transit app for trip planning and real-time information.
Route Alerts by Subscription: Sign up at PierceTransit.org/StayConnected.
Call (from any phone), or text (from a smart phone) your bus stop number to 253.533.7084 for real-time arrival info.
Call Customer Service for assistance at 253.581.8000, option 1, then option 1 again. They can also print and mail individual route schedules.

Pierce Transit has identified several organizations that offer free cell phones for qualifying people. Visit PierceTransit.org/pierce-transit.routes for a list of resources.

For added connections with this service change, starting Sept. 19 and 20 Sound Transit is restoring an afternoon Sounder train trip and adding Express bus service between Seattle/Puyallup and Puyallup/Lakewood. More information can be found on the service changes section of SoundTransit.org/ride-with-us.

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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

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