2009 Press Releases

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Pierce Transit Contact: Lars Erickson, Public Relations Officer        253.984.8218

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contacts:

Lars Erickson, Public Relations Officer
Pierce Transit
253-984-8218
lerickson@piercetransit.org

Mark Fulghum, Public Information Officer
Tacoma Police Department
253-591-5968
MFULGHUM@ci.tacoma.wa.us

Stacy Flores, Public Information Officer
Tacoma Public Schools
253-571-1015
sflores@tacoma.k12.wa.us

“Zero Tolerance” enforcement of unlawful transit conduct near high schools   

TACOMA, Wash. – Starting Friday, Oct. 30, Pierce Transit, the Tacoma Police Department, and the 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 exclusion from Pierce Transit services for 90 days.

For information about Washington and Tacoma’s Unlawful Transit Conduct Codes, visit http://www.piercetransit.org/alerts/rcw.htm.

Lakewood, WA –On Labor Day, Monday, September, 7, 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 operate on a Sunday schedule.
 
Sound Transit Sounder Train service will not operate.
Sound Transit Express Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Tacoma Link will operate a Sunday schedule; operating every 20 minutes, 10am to 6pm.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253.581.8000

Click on picture to download high-resolution version.

Lakewood, WA – Thirteen Special Commissioned Peace Officers were sworn in as members of the Pierce Transit Uniformed Security Division on Tuesday 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.”
 
Pierce Transit is Washington’s first and only public transportation agency to have a general authority commissioned police department (Department of Public Safety).  The Uniformed Security Division is one of three divisions of the Pierce Transit Department of Public Safety; they will support the Transit Police and the Physical Security Divisions.  Pierce Transit’s Department of Public Safety closely collaborates with 44 different law enforcement jurisdictions across Pierce, King and Thurston Counties.  
 
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy gave opening remarks and Sheriff Paul Pastor was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.
 
The new Special Commissioned Peace Officers will next participate in seven weeks of comprehensive field training.
 
 

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PIERCE TRANSIT OPERATOR NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION!

Lakewood, WA  - For the second time in three years, Pierce Transit Bus Operator Brentt Mackie has been awarded the First Place trophy in the 40-foot Transit Coach Division at the 2009 International Bus Roadeo that just concluded in Seattle.
 
“I’m very proud of Brentt.  He has consistently performed outstanding in local, state, and international competitions. He is admired by his Roadeo peers and consistently represents Pierce Transit admirably,” said Lynne Griffith, Pierce Transit CEO. “Brentt’s award for a second time in three years confirms Pierce Transit is home to the best.  There are many incredible people like Brentt at Pierce Transit – operators, supervisors, police officers, managers, mechanics, customer service reps, SHUTTLE employees, and professional staff that are hard at work trying to make the ride with Pierce Transit just a little bit better.  Congratulations Brentt!”    
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.

The final exercise is high-speed braking where operators maneuver through a row of ten 55-gallon barrels spaced only inches wider than the bus.
 
The Pierce Transit Maintenance Team made up of Journey Level Mechanic Jose Guzman, Mechanic I Mike Cosentino, and Apprentice Mechanic David Kreienbrink also worked extremely well together this year.
 
The event is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association and coincides with the annual convention being held this year in Seattle.  The Bus Roadeo was developed to provide participants with positive, job-related motivation by emphasizing the important role played by bus drivers and mechanics in providing transit customers with safe and reliable transit service.

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For immediate release: April 17, 2009
                 

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

ORCA smart card limited rollout gets underway

Phased introduction begins April 20 and will continue through 2009

SEATTLE - Traveling the Puget Sound region by bus, train and ferry will get even easier this spring and summer with the arrival of ORCA—One Regional Card for All.

ORCA will make rummaging for correct change a thing of the past. When boarding, ORCA riders will simply tap their new smart cards on a reader device. The electronic fare system will replace about 300 various passes, tickets and transfers with a single card that works for all seven of the major public transportation agencies serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

A limited rollout of the system will begin April 20 at the same time the partner agencies work to identify and resolve remaining technical issues in a live environment.

The limited rollout will continue for several weeks followed by a more extensive ORCA launch and customer awareness campaign expected to begin in June. The phase-in of ORCA will continue through the end of the year as people’s current transit passes expire and are replaced by ORCA cards. The phased process will give transit customers and the agencies time to transition to the new system.

The seven ORCA partners are Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. Together, the agencies serve more than half of Washington’s population and carry more than 500,000 riders daily.

How ORCA works

ORCA is a durable, plastic smart card containing a microprocessor. Passengers will simply “tap” their ORCA card on a card reader on board buses or at train, light rail and ferry stations, and enjoy their ride.

ORCA cards come equipped with an “E-purse” function that allows a rider to preload fare value onto the card. With each trip — whether the trip involves one agency’s system or transfers between systems — the correct total fare amount, including any transfer value, is automatically deducted from the value on the card. Riders can also take unlimited trips by purchasing a monthly pass on their ORCA card.

With ORCA, customers will have more options for paying their transit fare. Riders can buy and revalue ORCA cards online, by phone, by mail, and in person at transit agency customer service offices, ticket vending machines and select retail businesses around the region.

ORCA cardholders can check their accounts online, by phone or at ticket vending machines. Customers will have the option to register their cards, which allows them to restore their card value if it is lost or stolen. Registered cardholders can select an “Autoload” feature that can add value to a card when their E-purse is drawn down to a certain amount or when their monthly pass expires.

Cash will continue to be accepted on all of the transit systems. However, the transit agencies plan to eliminate paper transfers for trips between multiple agencies as more customers move to the ORCA card. With ORCA, a valid transfer will automatically be available for subsequent rides on trains and buses within two hours. Once the phase-in of the ORCA system is complete, riders using cash instead of an ORCA card to transfer between different agencies’ systems will pay the full fare for each leg of their ride.

During the phased rollout of ORCA, riders can get an ORCA card at no charge. After the rollout, it will cost $5 to purchase an ORCA card ($3 for Regional Reduced Fare Permit customers) in addition to the value the rider loads. Under normal wear, ORCA cards are expected to last three to five years before they need to be replaced.

When to get ORCA

The limited rollout of ORCA in the coming weeks will allow bus drivers, train and ferry operators, and other agency staff to adjust to the new system. During this time, a number of transit riders will opt to be early adopters and begin using ORCA right away.

Riders who purchase their own monthly transit pass will begin to receive ORCA cards instead of their usual PugetPass over the next couple of months. The majority of passholders receive their transit passes from their employers, and those customers will be converted beginning this summer as annual contracts come up for renewal. A major education campaign will also encourage cash-paying customers to switch to ORCA.

This phased approach will allow for a gradual ramping up of our ORCA customer base that will make it easier to identify and correct operational or service problems that arise. Customers are invited to report problems or offer comments on the system at 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA) and via www.orcacard.com.

ORCA (One Regional Card for All) is the Puget Sound region’s transportation smart card. Similar systems exist in Hong Kong (Octopus), London (Oyster), Seoul (I Am), Boston (Charlie Card), Washington, D.C. (SmarTrip), the Bay Area (TransLink) and Houston (Q Card), as well as other cities.

 The ORCA project is on track for completion within the original contract budget of $43 million.

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For information about ORCA starting April 20:
www.orcacard.com or 1-888-988-6722 (ORCA)/ TTY Relay: 711

10.7 Billion Trips Taken On U.S. Public Transportation In 2008
Highest Level in 52 Years; Ridership Increased as Gas Prices Decline and Jobs Were Lost

Despite falling gas prices and an economic recession, increasing numbers of Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2008, the highest level of ridership in 52 years and a modern ridership record, according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This represents a 4.0 percent increase over the number of trips taken in 2007 on public transportation, while at the same time, vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) on our nation’s roads declined by 3.6 percent in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
 
“Even as gas prices fell for the second half of the year and hundreds of thousands of people lost jobs, more and more people chose to ride public transportation throughout the country,” said APTA president William W. Millar. “Given our current economic condition, people are looking for ways to save money and taking public transportation offers a substantial savings of more than $8,000 a year. That’s quite a savings.”
 
This ridership record continues a long term trend of ridership growth.  Public transportation use is up 38% percent since 1995, a figure that is almost triple the growth rate of the population (14 percent) and up substantially over the growth rate for the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on our nation’s highways (21%) for that same period.  
 
Millar announced the ridership increase before more than 600 public transit leaders at an APTA conference in Washington, D.C.  He noted that the record ridership shows the clear demand for public transit and compelling need for increased investment at the federal, state, and local levels.
 
Millar also announced the launch of a new advocacy campaign, Public Transportation Takes Us There, which is aimed at building congressional support for the authorization of the federal surface transportation legislation, which expires Sept. 30, 2009.
 
 “Now, more than ever, the value of public transportation is evident and the public has clearly demonstrated that they want and need more public transit services,” said Millar. “Public transportation is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for energy independence and now is the time for the federal government to increase its investment in public transportation.”
 
Beyond the need for greater public transit investment in a new federal surface transportation bill (the current one legislation expires September 30, 2009), and the 2010 appropriations bill, APTA is advocating for the inclusion of public transportation investment in any energy or climate change bill.
 
“Every year, public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons,” said Millar.  “Clearly, public transportation is part of the solution for our country’s national goals of energy independence and carbon emissions reduction.
 
Millar also called on local and state governments to increase their investment in public transportation.  Currently, transit systems are facing fare increases, service reductions, and layoffs – at a time of record ridership – because of declining state and local revenues.
 
2008 Ridership Breakdown

For the second year in a row, ridership on all modes of public transportation increased in every quarter.  

Light rail (modern streetcars, trolleys, and heritage trolleys) had the highest percentage of annual ridership increase among all modes, with an 8.3 percent increase in 2008.  The light rail system that started in November 2007 in Charlotte, NC showed the highest percentage of increase with an annual 862 percent increase.  The New Orleans, LA light rail system, which is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, had an annual increase of 218 percent. Light rail systems with double digit ridership in 2008 were located in the following areas: Buffalo (23.9%); Philadelphia (23.3 %); Sacramento (14.4%); Baltimore (13.7%); Minneapolis (12.3%); Salt Lake City (12.3%); the state of New Jersey (10.9%); Denver (10.5%); and Dallas (10.2%).
 
Commuter rail increased in 2008 by 4.7 percent.  The commuter rail systems with the double digit ridership growth rate in 2008 were located in the following areas: Albuquerque (35.1%); Portland, ME (26.5%); Seattle (23.8%); Pompano Beach, FL (22.9%); Harrisburg-Philadelphia (17.7%); New Haven (17.5%); Oakland (16.1%); Stockton, CA (14.7%); Dallas-Fort Worth (14.1%); San Carlos, CA (12.5%).
 
Heavy rail (subways) ridership increased by 3.5% in 2008. The heavy rail systems with the highest increases in ridership for 2008 were in the following cities: San Juan (13.3%); Lindenwold, NJ (9.9%); Atlanta (8.6%); Miami (8.2%), Boston (7.9%), and Los Angeles (7.7%).
 
Bus service saw an increase of 3.9 percent, but in communities with a population of less than 100,000, bus services saw an increase of 9.3 percent in 2008.  Major increases by large bus agencies occurred in the following cities: Phoenix (11.5%); San Antonio (10.2%); San Diego (10.0%); St. Louis (8.9%); Baltimore (8.7%); and Denver (8.6%).

PIERCE TRANSIT BUS RIDERSHIP FIGURES Pierce Transit experienced an 11.0* percent increase from 2007 to 2008, with 14.5 million boardings in 2007 and 16.1* million in 2008.   This significant increase in ridership continues as Pierce Transit experiences an unprecedented decline in sales tax collections (-7 percent from 2007 to 2008).     For more information about Pierce Transit’s ridership, please contact Lars Erickson at 253-984-8218.   Pierce Transit Annual Ridership 2008* 16.1 million boardings   2007 14.5 million boardings (11.0 percent increase from 2007 to 2008)   2006 13.6 million boardings (18.4 percent increase from 2006 to 2008)   2005 13.3 million boardings (21.1 percent increase from 2005 to 2008)   *preliminary unaudited 2008 ridership

Demand response (paratransit) increased in 2008 by 5.9 percent.
 
To see the complete APTA ridership report go to http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership

For more information on public transportation’s role in climate change and energy independence, go to http://publictransportation.org/takesusthere/legislative.html

 

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.

For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2009

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

Pierce Transit Presidents’ Day Schedule
 
On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Saturday schedule with the following exceptions: 495, 496 and 497 will operate on President’s Day even though they do not normally provide Saturday service. Trips on these three routes will be available to meet the Sounder Train holiday schedule.

Bus Plus will not operate.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed.
 
Intercity Transit’s Olympia Express will be operating on a weekday schedule.
Pierce Transit operated Olympia Express service will not be operating.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253. 581.8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org.

Pierce Transit Route 497 connects Lakeland Hills to the Auburn Sounder Station
                                                                                                                                                           
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 4, 2009
 
Kick off ceremony scheduled for Feb. 9 at Sunset Park

AUBURN, Wash. – February 4, 2009 - Starting Feb. 9, Pierce Transit Route 497 will provide direct service between Lakeland Hills and the Auburn Commuter Rail Station with six morning and six evening trips each weekday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9 at 10:30 am at Sunset Park to kick off the first day of service. The ceremony will feature speakers from the City of Auburn and Pierce Transit.
 
The Lakeland Hills Connector Service is a partnership between Pierce Transit, the City of Auburn, Sound Transit, and King County Metro Transit. It was created to help alleviate some of the commuter parking demand in downtown Auburn and provide much needed transit service to the residents of Lakeland Hills.
 
There are two convenient Park & Ride lots available to riders, Sunset Park at 1306 69th St. SE and the Family Life Center Church of God at 116 Lakeland Hills Way SE. In addition, there are five stops located along Lakeland Hills Way. Regular Pierce Transit fares apply and riders can pay with cash, ticket or bus pass. On return trips from the Auburn Sounder Station, Route 497 will wait for the Sounder Train to arrive from Seattle before departing for Lakeland Hills. Passengers may also transfer to regional and local buses at the station.  
 
“We are very pleased to partner with the City of Auburn and our fellow regional transit agencies to develop an innovative business model for delivering new service,” said Lynne Griffith, Pierce Transit CEO. “By joining forces, we can be more efficient and address the needs of our growing communities.”
 
"This service hopefully will help reduce the parking overflow at the Train Station,” said Roger Thordarson, Chairman of Auburn’s Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee.
 
“Parking at Auburn Station and throughout the region is becoming scarce as more people turn to transit for their commute. It’s this kind of innovative, collaborative thinking that is the key to finding solutions” said Joni Earl, Sound Transit CEO.
 
"It's great that all of the partners could team up to lay the groundwork for the new Route 497 that is serving both King and Pierce counties," said King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. "Starting next year, funding from the voter-approved Transit Now initiative will cover a majority of the ongoing costs of operating this new route."
 
For more information on the Lakeland Hills Connector Service (Pierce Transit Route 497), call Pierce Transit’s Customer Services at 253-581-8000 or visit online at www.piercetransit.org

Contact:
Lars Erickson, Public Relations Officer
Pierce Transit
253-984-8218
lerickson@piercetransit.org

Tiffin Goodman, Transportation Planner
City of Auburn
253-288-7447
tgoodman@auburnwa.gov

Linda Thielke, KCDOT Public Affairs Coordinator
King County Metro
206 -684-1414
linda.thielke@kingcounty.gov

Linda Robson, Public Information Specialist
Sound Transit
206-398-5149
linda.robson@soundtransit.org

 

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Page updated 11/05/2009