Pierce Transit canceling Route 102, the Gig Harbor express, as part of crisis cutback
The Gig Harbor-Tacoma Route 102 express bus will be canceled beginning Monday, March 30, as part of a 28 percent reduction in service by Pierce County Transit due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Bus ridership was down 57 percent last week, compared to the same week a year ago, the transit system said.
The number 100 bus will continue to operate, but may run less often. That run begins at Purdy and ends at the TCC Transit Center, with stops at the Kimball Drive and Narrows park-and-ride lots. Riders headed for the Tacoma Dome station and on to Seattle can transfer at TCC.
Riders are advised to check online schedule at https://www.piercetransit.org/route-100-gig-harbor
Sound Transit’s 595 express to Seattle from Gig Harbor will continue on a reduced schedule, with three outbound and three homebound trips daily. The complete schedule is at: https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/schedule-595-reduced.pdf
Sound Transit is also suspending five Sounder southbound trains and two northbound trains between Seattle and Portland.
As a virus control measure, but Pierce Transit passengers are being asked to use the rear door of the bus only. Fare collection is being suspended for buses and shuttle vans.
Drivers and other workers affected by the reduction in service are being offered work cleaning and disinfecting buses, or being asked to take voluntary time off, said Rebecca Japhet, the transit system’s spokesperson.
In Tacoma, regular routes will continue, but may run less often.
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 1:25 PM.