Pierce Transit drastically cuts back bus service amid coronavirus crisis
Pierce Transit will reduce weekday bus service by 28 percent starting Monday, March 30, as ridership plummets during the coronavirus crisis.
Weekday routes will start and end around the same time, but buses will run less frequently. Weekend routes will remain the same, spokesperson Rebecca Japhet said in a press release.
At least one route, Route 102 in Gig Harbor, will stop completely, because there are other routes connecting to Tacoma, Japhet said.
Service reductions were planned to minimize impact on customers and ensure people still have early and late trips available to access jobs and other life needs.
Ridership has plummeted by 57 percent compared to this time last year. Gov. Jay Inslee has issued several orders in the past week, closing non-essential business, and calling everyone apart from essential personnel to stay at home to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier said she is aware many depend on the bus to get to critical-service jobs, obtain food or make a medical appointment.
“Pierce Transit ridership is down significantly, but we are still committed to providing this essential service during this challenging time for our community,” Dreier said.
By Friday, March 27, the new routes will be posted to Trip Planner, and riders can plan ahead. They can also sign up for route text alerts by visiting PierceTransit.org/StayConnected.
Other options for getting information about Pierce Transit’s services include:
- Toll-Free Line: 1.800.562.8109
- Bus or SHUTTLE paratransit TTY for hearing impaired: 711
- PierceTransit.org
- PierceTransit.org/StayConnected for route-specific text alerts and general information
Riders can look for the next bus by:
Texting 253-533-7084 from their bus stop and entering the bus stop number found on the pole.
Using a bus locator app, such as Transit or One Bus Away.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 10:47 AM.
