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• FREE walking maps of Tacoma & UWT at Bus Shops in Downtown Tacoma and at Tacoma Dome Station.

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• Transit Development Plan 2009-2014
• Download our 2009 budget (pdf). Previous budgets (to 2006).
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“Zero Tolerance” enforcement of unlawful bus conduct near high schools   

Starting Friday, Oct. 30, Pierce Transit, the Tacoma Police Department, and Tacoma Public Schools are partnering for “NOT ON OUR BUS,” a three week zero-tolerance enforcement operation of unlawful and disruptive conduct on bus routes, at transit centers, and at bus stops near certain high schools. 

Uniformed Pierce Transit Police and Security Officers along with Tacoma Police Officers will increase their presence on buses and conduct spot checks of identified bus stops and boarding areas near schools.  Undercover Pierce Transit Police and Security Officers and Tacoma Police Officers will also be riding buses and monitoring transit centers to enforce the State of Washington and Tacoma’s Unlawful Transit Conduct Codes.  

Emphasis areas:

Pierce Transit Routes:
1, 10, 11, 16, 51, 53

Pierce Transit Facilities:
Lakewood Mall Transit Center
Tacoma Community College Transit Center
Tacoma Dome Station
Tacoma Mall Transit Center

Tacoma Public Schools:
Foss High School
Lincoln High School
Mt Tahoma High School
Stadium High School
Wilson High School

Riders who are found to be violating the Unlawful Transit Conduct Codes may be held immediately accountable by expulsion from Pierce Transit services for 90 days.

Heard about our new Smart “Talking” Buses?

Listen for automatic stop and route announcements while travelling on routes 1, 2, 3, and on Seattle Express buses.  Route and destination announcements required by the Americans with Disabilities Act will be made by our new automatic announcement system we call trax each time a bus door opens at a stop.  In addition, upcoming stop names will be announced on the buses to keep passengers informed about the next stop coming up on that route.

Pierce Transit needs your help to ensure that the trax system is helpful and useful to you, our riding public.  Please report any problems with the timing of stop announcements, interior volume, or pronunciation issues so we can look into fixing them. Report problems by filling out a customer comment card (located at the front of the bus), sending an e-mail to adminservices@piercetransit.org , or filling out our online form.  When reporting issues with announcements, please be as specific as possible.  Include the route, direction of travel, time of day, vehicle number and a complete description of the problem.  Announcements for all routes begin Fall 2009.  

Follow us on Twitter.  Fan us on Facebook.

Pierce Transit is now one of many public transportation agencies worldwide to join the rapidly growing online social networks of Facebook and Twitter.  
 
These online social media platforms are FREE for Pierce Transit and the public.  
 
Just as media outlets and other government agencies have found, these applications will allow Pierce Transit to communicate to more riders and area residents who are customizing the news they receive.  Facebook and Twitter will complement several of our current public outreach efforts; the agency website, press releases, and rider alerts.

Meet some of our exceptional employees.

Brentt Mackie does it again!
For the second time in three years, Pierce Transit Bus Operator Brentt Mackie has won the First Place trophy in the 40-foot Transit Coach Division — this time at the 2009 International Bus Roadeo in Seattle.

The Roadeo competition requires drivers to maneuver their vehicles through an intricate maze of graded exercises that includes serpentine turns, passenger stops, and reverse turns that duplicate the demanding requirements of everyday driving.

Four times a year, Pierce Transit faces a tough task – selecting two employees (one from Operations, one from Maintenance) who deserve special recognition, even when judged by the standards of one of the best transit workforces in the nation! 

The latest honorees:

Operator of the Quarter:
Jay Reese
Jay Reese began his career at Pierce Transit in November 2004. He has earned the prestigious Perfect Year Honor Roll status for three consecutive years – 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Congratulations to our newest Peace Officers!

Thirteen Special Commissioned Peace Officers were sworn in as members of the Pierce Transit Uniformed Security Division at a graduation ceremony celebrating their completion of rigorous public transportation and public safety coursework.  The two sergeants and eleven uniformed security officers participated in 52 classes over a five week period.  
 
“I am very proud of the inaugural class of Pierce Transit Commissioned Peace Officers,” said Lynne Griffith, Pierce Transit CEO.  “Not only did they excel in their class work, they are pioneers in the public transportation industry.  Their work will be a blue print for transit policing all across the country.”  More...

Talkin' Trash: The Big Belly Solar-Powered Self-Compacting Trashcan

We're proud to announce the newest addition to our solar-powered line of passenger amenities -- another example of Pierce Transit's commitment to green technologies.

Our first Big Belly Solar-Powered Self-Compacting Trashcan has been installed at the 72nd & Pacific McDonald’s.

A sensor inside triggers compaction as needed,  minimizing overflow as well as the number of times the can needs to be emptied. A 'full' indicator on the front tells custodians when it's full -- if the light's not red, they don’t need to stop to empty it.  Quick and easy to install, vandal resistant -- it even prevents birds from rummaging through the garbage.

Possible future upgrades include illuminated signs on the sides and a remote signal that will call us when the can is full, saving an unnecessary trip to a remote location.