People looking for a ride along Tacoma’s waterfront will have a new option beginning Aug. 1

A pilot on-demand bus service along portions of Tacoma’s waterfront will begin Aug. 1.

The Pierce Transit Runner will connect Ruston Way, Point Ruston, some areas in the town of Ruston, part of Dock Street and along the Foss Waterway in Tacoma, according to a news release from Pierce Transit.

The news release said these areas can be difficult to serve with buses since there are not very many safe and accessible stopping places along the waterfront.

Additionally, the demand for buses changes depending on the time of day, which makes a regular schedule inefficient, but Pierce Transit said service is necessary to reduce traffic and parking issues along the waterfront.

Riders can set pick-up and drop-off locations within the Runner’s zone of service, which runs along the waterfront from Point Ruston to the Museum of Glass. The Runner zone also includes Commerce Street Transit Center, Zone A in downtown Tacoma and the Tacoma Dome Station, according to the press release. The service will be available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Pierce Transit says the new on-demand service will use vans, which can park in car-accessible spots. The vans, which are wheelchair accessible, can be called using the “Goin” app or by calling 253-270-1340.

Cash will not be accepted. Instead, riders can pay using PiercePay, Pierce Transit’s mobile app. The cost of a ride is $2 for adults and $1 for youth and people with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit. The first month of service will be free, according to the news release.

The Runner is a one-year program to assess on-demand connective bus service in locations that pose challenges to traditional buses, Pierce Transit said.

Due to COVID-19 safety considerations, Runner vans will not be shared by multiple parties until social distancing measures have been deemed unnecessary. The inside of the vehicles will be disinfected after every ride, and passengers must wear masks while on the Runner, according to the news release.

More information on the Runner can be found at https://www.piercetransit.org/runner/.

This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 10:55 AM.