2010 Press Releases

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Pierce Transit Contact: Lars Erickson, Public Relations Officer        253.984.8218

For Immediate Release:
August 30, 2010

For More Information Contact:           
Lind Simonsen, Community Relations
Pierce Transit (253) 581-8034

Pierce Transit Labor Day Bus Schedule
 
On Labor Day, Monday, September, 6, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Sunday schedule.  

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed.  Telephone information will not be available.
 
ntercity Transit’s local and Olympia Express services will operate on a Sunday schedule.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253.581.8000

Pierce Transit Seeks Public Comment on Fare Increases

LAKEWOOD, WA – The public is invited to attend an August 30, 2010 Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners Finance Committee meeting to comment on proposed fare increases for local fixed route bus, SHUTTLE, and Vanpool services that would be implemented in November 1, 2010.  

In July, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners selected a plan to preserve service levels with the goal of providing financially sustainable public transportation that area residents value and use.  The Board directed staff to put forward a ballot proposition for the February 8, 2011 election to exercise the final 0.3% sales tax authority available to Pierce Transit to provide funding to meet current service demands.

The Pierce Transit Board also directed staff to find more efficiencies without impacting service until the voters have their say in February of 2011.  The Agency is identifying solutions that cut costs and increase revenue.

In order to raise revenue, Pierce Transit is proposing to increase fares.  Youth, Senior, and Disabled fares were last increased in March 2006.  Regular adult fares were last increased in January 2009.  Vanpool fares were last increased in October 2008.

The proposed fares increases and more information can be found here.
 
The August 30 Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners Finance Committee meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Pierce Transit’s Training Center, Rainier Room, located at 3720 96th Street SW, Lakewood, WA.
 
Registered SHUTTLE customers may obtain specialized transportation to and from the hearing by calling SHUTTLE at 253-581-8100 from one to five days in advance of the hearing.  An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be provided upon request with a minimum notice of two weeks.
 

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Media Contact: Lars Erickson           Date: Friday, July 16, 2010             Phone: 253-984-8218

Pierce Transit Preservation Plan

• Route 501, will connect Downtown Tacoma to Fife, Milton and Federal Way.
  

• Route 11, provides connections from Pt. Defiance to Downtown Tacoma via the Proctor District.  
• Route 13, provides connections from Old Town and North 30th to Downtown Tacoma.  
• Route 16, provides connections from Tacoma Community College, Wilson High School, Proctor Shopping District, and the Stadium District to Downtown Tacoma.
• Route 220, connects North Tacoma and the Proctor Shopping District to Lakewood.  Route 220 will also serve portions of the eliminated Route 51, along N Union from N 26th to Center Street.
  

For Release: Immediate

Media Contact: Lars Erickson           Date: Monday, July 12, 2010             Phone: 253-984-8218

Pierce Transit Board Votes for Preservation Plan

Lakewood, WA – The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners on Monday evening selected a plan to preserve service levels with the goal of providing financially sustainable public transportation that area residents value and use. The Board directed staff to put forward a ballot proposition for the February 8, 2011 election to exercise the final 0.3% sales tax authority available to Pierce Transit to provide funding to meet current service demands.

Over the last year, Pierce Transit has carefully developed and refined service plans centered on three rounds of extensive public input. The final alternatives were based on two funding levels; one that reduces service while utilizing the current sales tax level of 0.6% (6 cents on a $10 purchase), and one that preserves service by exercising the remaining sales tax authority of 0.3% (an additional 3 cents on a $10 purchase).

Since the beginning of the recession, Pierce Transit has been actively addressing the impacts of sharp declines in sales tax revenue. The agency was one of the first entities to experience a layoff of personnel –a five percent reduction. Pierce Transit delayed or eliminated capital projects, reduced service by nearly six percent, and increased regular adult fares by 25 cents. Those actions combined with employee identified operational efficiencies have saved over $72 million.

The Pierce Transit Board also directed staff to continue to look for ways to cut more costs without impacting service until the voters have their say in February of 2011. Updated maps and information for the adopted plan will be posted on www.pttomorrow.org on Friday, July 16.

Ride Pierce Transit to JBLM Air Expo 2010

LAKEWOOD, WA – On Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18, Pierce Transit will provide round-trip express service to Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo 2010 at McChord Field.   Pierce Transit will offer express service at no charge to riders.  The service will begin at 7:30 a.m. and depart every 15 minutes from two locations, the parking lot behind the Barnes & Noble and Target stores at Lakewood Towne Center and the Lakewood Sounder Station at 11424 Pacific Highway.  The last buses will depart from these locations to the event at 2:30 p.m. each day.  All bus service, including return bus service, will stop running at approximately 3:00 p.m. each day during the Patriots Jet Team aerial demonstration. Return bus service will resume upon the conclusion of the aerial demonstration and run through approximately 5 p.m.
 
The flying is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. both days.
   
For additional information about express bus service to the Air Expo or other Pierce Transit services, please call Customer Services at 253-581-8000, or visit www.piercetransit.org.

Pierce Transit Independence Day Holiday Schedule

On Independence Day, Sunday, July 4, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with the exception of Route 13 which will operate every 15 minutes from noon until 7:30pm and resume following the Freedom Fair fireworks.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and Bus Shops will be closed. Telephone information will be available 9am to 5pm.
 
Intercity Transit’s local and Olympia Express services will operate on a Sunday schedule.
 
Sound Transit Express Bus service and Tacoma Link will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Sound Transit Sounder train service will not operate.
 
On Monday, July 5, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Saturday schedule. Pierce Transit administrative offices and the Downtown Tacoma and Tacoma Dome Station Bus Shops will be closed.  The Lakewood Bus Shop will be open 10am and 2pm. Telephone information will be available 9am to 5pm.
 
Intercity Transit’s local and Olympia Express services will be operating on a weekday schedule.

Sound Transit Sounder train service will not operate.

Sound Transit Express bus and Tacoma Link service will operate on a Sunday schedule.
 
Ride the Freedom Fair Express on Sunday, July 4 to Old Town from the Tacoma Dome Station or Tacoma Community College.  Service starts at 10am and runs every 15 minutes until 8pm.  The express service delivers you to your car at either location following the fireworks show.  A single ride is $1.75, or ride all day for $3.50.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253.581.8000, or download Pierce Transit's Freedom Fair brochure.

REMINDER: PT Tomorrow June 14 Public Hearing  

Pierce Transit has been working closely with the public for the last year to redesign services to match sustainable funding levels.  The public is encouraged to attend and make comments on the impacts of the alternatives, based on reductions and growth, at a public hearing on June 14th.  
 
Public Hearing on System Redesign Alternatives
June 14th 4:00pm
Pierce Transit Training Center
3720 96th St SW, Lakewood 98499
Served by Routes 48, 300
 
Comments made online at www.PTTomorrow .org and at our recent PT Tomorrow Open Houses will be included with comments made at the June 14th public hearing.
 
Registered SHUTTLE customers may obtain specialized transportation to and from the public hearing by calling SHUTTLE at 253.581.8100 at least  one day in advance of the public hearing.
 

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For Immediate Release:
May 24, 2010

For More Information Contact:   
Lind Simonsen, Community Relations
Pierce Transit (253) 581-8034

Pierce Transit Memorial Day Schedule

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Sunday schedule.  

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed.  Telephone information will not be available.
 
Intercity Transit’s local and Olympia Express services will be operating on a Sunday schedule.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253.581.8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org.

Click on plaque for larger image

PIERCE TRANSIT TO REDEDICATE WWII PLAQUE

LAKEWOOD, WA- Pierce Transit will be reinstalling and rededicating the Parkland World War II memorial plaque on Armed Services Day, Saturday, May 15.  The ceremony will be held at 10:00 am at the Pierce Transit Parkland Transit Center (see details below).
 
The memorial plaque was originally installed in October 1948 and was stolen in September 2007. The thieves sold it to a metal recycling business.  The plaque was eventually identified and returned to Pierce Transit.  The bronze plaque required extensive repair and is now ready to be reinstalled in its original location.
 
Please join State Senator Rosa Franklin, members of the American Legion Post 2 - Parkland, Parkland Community Association, Bethel High School Junior ROTC cadets, Pierce Transit employees, community representatives, and others as we pay tribute to the 15 people from the Parkland area who gave their lives in service of our country in World War II.
 
Where:                
Pierce Transit Parkland Transit Center
213 South 121st Street
Tacoma, WA
(1/2 block west of Pacific Avenue in Parkland)
 
When:
Saturday, May 15th 10 a.m.  
Armed Forces Day

For more information about the ceremony, please contact Lind Simonsen at:
Work:    253-581-8034
Cell:       253-255-8086
Email:    lsimonsen@piercetransit.org

For immediate release: April 22, 2010

Contact: Geoff Patrick, Sound Transit
(206) 398-5313; geoff.patrick@soundtransit.org

Rochelle Ogershok, King County Metro
(206) 296-6515; rochelle.ogershok@kingcounty.gov

Almost 200,000 daily boardings and counting as ORCA turns one year old

Earth Day: a great time to get ORCA and climb aboard buses, trains, ferries

This week the Puget Sound region’s ORCA smart card program turned one year old. So far, almost 200,000 riders use ORCA on the average weekday.

The ORCA program got underway with a limited rollout that began on April 20, 2009. The full rollout took place in September and gathered steam in January as ORCA replaced most of the region’s other transit passes and became the lowest-cost way to transfer from one transit system to another.

“As of last week an average of 196,778 riders around the region were boarding buses, trains and ferries with ORCA each weekday,” said ORCA Joint Board Chair and Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl. “We’d like to thank the growing crowd of ORCA users. For those who don’t have ORCA yet, there’s no better time than Earth Day to get ORCA and start taking public transportation instead of driving.”

“The success of ORCA would not have been possible without the strong collaborative effort shown by our seven regional transit agencies,” said ORCA Joint Board Vice Chair and King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. “Behind the ORCA card are scores of dedicated professionals who have worked hard to create an easy-to-use pass that allows our customers to conveniently transfer from one transit system to another.”

With ORCA, the environmental benefits of riding transit go beyond reducing vehicle emissions. Unlike older passes and paper tickets, ORCA cards can be reused for several years. Riders can go online or pick up the phone to add E-purse value or passes, avoiding unnecessary trips.

ORCA is good on Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. ORCA is also good on the King County Water Taxis.

ORCA makes it easier than ever to take transit throughout the four-county region with smart card technology. Gone are the days of rummaging for correct change and lost papers transfers. ORCA allows you to pay your fare quickly, with a simple tap of the card. The microchip inside each ORCA card contains an E-purse that can be loaded with cash value that can be used for individual trips, or any number of passes that offer savings and convenience. With each trip, the correct fare, including any transfer value, is automatically deducted.

ORCA’s conveniences also include allowing ORCA cardholders to check their accounts online, by phone or at a fare vending machine. Customers have the option to register their card, which allows them to restore their card value if it is lost or stolen. Registered cardholders can select an “Autoload” feature that adds value to a card automatically when the E-purse is empty or when the monthly pass expires.

How to get an ORCA card
There are lots of options. The most convenient option for ordering or adding value to an ORCA card is online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.orcacard.com. Cards are also available by phone, by mail, at 14 retail outlets, or vending machines at Sound Transit rail stations located throughout the region. More information is available on the ORCA Website.

For information about ORCA: www.orcacard.com or 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA)/ TTY Relay: 711/ 888-889-6368

For immediate release: February 10, 2010

Contact: Lind Simonsen, Community Relations, Pierce Transit  253.581.8034

Pierce Transit Bus Schedule on Presidents' Day

On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 15, Pierce Transit local bus service, BusPLUS, and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop locations will be closed.

Intercity Transit’s Olympia Express will be operating on a weekday schedule.
Pierce Transit operated Olympia Express service will also operate on a weekday schedule.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253.581.8000.

For immediate release: Jan. 29, 2010

Contact: Lind Simonsen, Community Relations, Pierce Transit                (253) 581-8034
January 29, 2010

Pierce Transit adds service in the South Hill Mall and Canyon Road area

TACOMA  -  Pierce Transit is adding a new route to improve service in and around the Canyon Road and South Hill Mall areas, effective Monday, February 8.

Introducing Route 446 – Canyon Road – South Hill Mall Bus PLUS

The route serves the South Hill Mall Transit Center, 104th Street East, Canyon Road, 160th Street East, and the Meridian Center.  Buses operate two-way service on weekdays only from 5:15am to 8:40pm, every two hours.

This service, called Bus PLUS, is designed for the unique requirements of this area.  It provides regularly scheduled service to specific bus stops and service “by request” to designated stops away from the route.  A rider can call to request a pick-up at a non-scheduled stop location one to five days in advance.  A reservation can be made between 8am and 5pm by calling 253.581.8002. 

Bus PLUS service is designed to provide direct access to home, shopping, work, and connections to other regular transit service using 25-foot long vans with distinctive graphics.  The smaller vehicles allow for more efficient operation and flexibility in a rural environment. All the vehicles are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks.  The Bus Plus regular fare is $1.75, same as regular bus service, and discount fare of $.75 for youth, seniors*, and people with disabilities*.

Additional Changes in Service
Schedule changes have been made in numerous routes to reflect actual running times, improve on-time performance, improve connections with other routes, and to adjust for low ridership on specific trips. 

Pierce Transit is continuing to experience a significant decline in our largest source of revenue, the local sales tax. The Transit Planning staff is strategically eliminating portions of routes and some services that are unproductive.  This will help close the budget gap while allowing Pierce Transit to provide the high quality of service our riders expect.

Additional information on Route 446 and other changes to transit service is available on the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org, or by calling Customer Services at 253.581.8000.  You can also refer to the Rider Alert or the February 7 edition of The Bus Stops Here now available onboard Pierce Transit buses.

*Requires a Regional Reduced Fare Permit.

For immediate release: Jan. 15, 2010

Contact: Geoff Patrick, Sound Transit              Rochelle Ogershok, King County Metro Transit (206) 398-5313; geoff.patrick@soundtransit.org                           (206) 296-6515; rochelle.ogershok@kingcounty.gov

No-fee ORCA card promotion extended one month
Due to high demand, transit card fee will continue to be waived through Feb. 28

ORCA smart cards, which are gaining popularity among Puget Sound transit riders, will now be available with no fee through Feb. 28. Starting March 1, 2010 a standard adult or youth ORCA card will cost $5. The promotion had been scheduled to end on Jan. 31. 

“Due to the high demand for ORCA all across the region, we are extending the deadline for no-fee cards,” said Kevin Desmond, King County Metro’s General Manager.  “All of the partner agencies want to ensure that our customers have an opportunity to take advantage of this no-fee card offer during this transition period when demand is high and lines at customer service outlets can sometimes be long.”

The arrival of ORCA means that most transit riders can choose to never visit a customer service office again, with a one-time exception for people who must submit required documents for Regional Reduced Fare Permits or provide proof of age for Senior or Youth discounts. Customers can avoid long lines during the transition by buying cards online or at ticket vending machines.

The “blank” ORCA cards available with no fee through February must be loaded with e-purse value and/or passes. The extended no-fee promotion should help ease the transition to ORCA and reduce temporary high volumes of activity at customer service centers. Each of the ORCA partner agencies has been taking additional special measures to meet the high demand.

Riders who use a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) are reminded that there is no charge for converting to the ORCA card. The best time to obtain an ORCA RRFP card at customer service offices is between the 10th and 20th of each month. First-time RRFP customers who qualify for the reduced fare must still pay an initial fee of $3.

King County has established a special Metro RRFP hotline number, (206) 205-9185 for customers who have questions about the transition to ORCA.  They can also find more information online at: metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/reduced_fare_permit.html

Given the heightened interest in converting to ORCA, Metro Transit’s Seattle sales offices on the mezzanine level of Westlake Tunnel Station and at 201 S. Jackson St. will be open Saturdays beginning Jan. 31 and continuing through February. Metro also plans to boost staffing at its two customer service outlets. Customers can find out more about special Metro customer service hours at: metro.kingcounty.gov/cs/custserv.html.

Getting ORCA online or at a ticket vending machine is easy.

• Visiting www.orcacard.com to obtain or revalue an ORCA card is by far the best option for people with computer access.  Buying online does require planning ahead since it takes five to seven business days to receive a new ORCA card by mail and 24 hours to add value to an existing card.  Online sales are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

• Ticket vending machines at Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail stations are convenient locations to immediately get an ORCA card and load E-purse value and/or a regional PugetPass product.

ORCA is a smart card-based electronic fare system for public transportation agencies serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. ORCA is replacing about 300 various passes, tickets and transfers with a single card that works by simply tapping the ORCA card on a reader device. ORCA cards never expire but rather can be reloaded with a new pass or more e-purse value.  Riders can even set up their ORCA cards with an “autoload” feature. 

As of Jan. 1, 330,000 ORCA cards have been distributed. Average weekday ORCA boardings have increased from 86,000 in December to 154,000 so far this month, a 79 percent increase.

Information on customer service centers operated by the ORCA partner agencies is available on the agencies’ respective Web sites.

For information about ORCA:
www.orcacard.com or 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA)/ TTY Relay: 711/ 888-889-6368

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Page updated 08/30/2010