Public transit updates in the South Sound

This list of curated articles highlights significant changes and developments in public transportation across the South Sound.

Pierce County's introduction of free transit service on the Key Peninsula is a pilot program to gather ridership data to assess community needs and inform future transit decisions.

The extension of the Tacoma Link is a central theme, with plans to connect Federal Way to Tacoma's Freighthouse Square using light rail.

Another article details the appointment of King County executive Dow Constantine as CEO of Sound Transit.

This map shows the routes under consideration for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension as it approaches the Freighthouse Square area. By Courtesy

NO. 1: IF SOUND TRANSIT GETS ITS WAY, THE LIGHT RAIL FROM FEDERAL WAY WILL STOP HERE IN TACOMA

The preferred Link route through south Federal Way and Fife still has not be identified. A comment period will soon open. | Published December 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

King County Executive Dow Constantine speaks during a press conference at the King County Chinook building in Seattle, Wash., on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. By Joshua Bessex

NO. 2: SOUND TRANSIT BOARD JUST VOTED ON DOW CONSTANTINE’S CEO NOMINATION. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

Constantine, the King County executive, was named the finalist from 60 who applied to lead the regional public transit agency. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

Freighthouse Square on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 3: A PART OF TACOMA’S ‘SOUL’ LIKELY TO BE RAZED TO MAKE WAY FOR LIGHT-RAIL STATION

More than 40 businesses would be displaced if Sound Transit follows through with plans to locate Link station at Freighthouse Square. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Riders exit the Link at the Hilltop stop, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: TACOMA LINK RIDERSHIP HAS GROWN SINCE EXPANSION. HOW HAVE NEW STATIONS FARED?

The notes-highlighted portion you’ll see below is for print (if it’s wanted) and not needed online since I’ve made a chart. | Published September 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

The introductory slide from Tuesday’s presentation to the Tacoma Port Commission seeking sponsorship support for a proposed fast ferry pilot project tied to the World Cup in 2026.

NO. 5: WOULD YOU TAKE A FAST FERRY FROM TACOMA TO SEATTLE? THE IDEA IS BEING FLOATED

Dreams of bringing fast-ferry service to Tacoma might become reality in a new proposal tied to the World Cup. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The Key Peninsula / Gig Harbor Holiday Shuttle provides service between the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor during the holiday season. This year, the shuttle will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 26, 2025. By Pierce County

NO. 6: THIS AREA OF PIERCE COUNTY WILL GET TRANSIT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2012, FOR FREE

Key Peninsula residents will be able to hop on a shuttle and ride to Gig Harbor and back for free for the next eight months, beginning just before December. | Published November 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.