2009 Press Release Archive

For Immediate Release:
December 30, 2009
 
For More Information Contact:   
Lind Simonsen, Community Relations
Pierce Transit 253.581.8034
 
Procession for Deputy Mundell will impact bus service
 
Expect disruptions in Pierce County bus service on Tuesday, January 5, during the procession and memorial service for slain Deputy Sheriff Kent Mundell.

On Tuesday, between approximately 10 a.m. and approximately 12 p.m., the memorial procession will travel north from the Puyallup Fair and Events Center along South Meridian, west on River Road, west on Puyallup Avenue, then south on D Street to the Tacoma Dome. The procession honoring Deputy Mundell will impact all traffic and travel - including Pierce Transit bus service on many bus routes, especially in the Puyallup and Tacoma Dome District areas.  The Tacoma Dome Station will be closed to all bus traffic between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Pierce Transit is rerouting buses around the procession. If your Tuesday travel plans take you near the procession area, give yourself plenty of time, travel before 10 a.m. or after 12 p.m., or be prepared for delays. Delays, route detours, and missed connections may occur on other routes as well.

The following bus routes will be on detour beginning at 10:00 a.m. until approximately 12:00 p.m.  Delays will occur on these routes:

Pierce Transit
41 -No service on Pacific Ave. or Puyallup Ave. from 21st to Portland Ave.
42 - No service on Pacific Ave., Puyallup Ave. or “D”/McKinley  St. from S.21st to E. 34th & McKinley
402 – No service on Meridian or 2nd/3rd St. from S. 15th to Valley Ave.
409 – No service on East Main from Meridian to 15th St.
500 – No service on Pacific Ave. or Puyallup Ave. from 21st to Portland Ave.
501 – No service on Pacific Ave. or Puyallup Ave. from 21st to Portland Ave.

Sound Transit
574 – Passengers wanting to go to the Tacoma area will be dropped off at 10th & Commerce
594 – No service at 24th & Pacific or Tacoma Dome Station

Intercity Transit
603 – No service at Tacoma Dome Station.

Pierce Transit will operate limited bus service to the Tacoma Dome from Cheney Stadium at 2502 South Tyler Street.  The service will be free to the public. Bus service will begin at 10:00 a.m.  The last bus will leave from Cheney Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Buses will make return trips immediately following the conclusion of the memorial service. The public is encouraged to utilize the off-site parking lot.  There will be no public parking at the Tacoma Dome.

For additional information visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org or call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253.581.8000.

Ride Free on Pierce Transit this Christmas Day

On Christmas Day Pierce Transit will provide free rides on local buses and SHUTTLE.

On Christmas Day, Friday December 25, and New Year’s Day, Friday January 1, Pierce Transit local bus service, SHUTTLE, Sound Transit Express service, and Tacoma Link will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus PLUS, Olympia Express, Intercity Transit buses and offices, and Sounder commuter rail will not operate.  

Pierce Transit administrative offices and the Bus Shop locations on Commerce Street, in Lakewood, and at the Tacoma Dome Station will be closed on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day. There will be no telephone service.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253.581.8000

For Immediate Release:
December 4, 2009

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

Procession for slain officers will impact bus service
 
Expect major disruptions in Pierce County bus service on Tuesday, December 8, during the procession and memorial service for slain Lakewood Police Sgt. Mark Renninger, and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards.  Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officer Ronald Owens worked closely with the Pierce Transit Office of Public Safety -Transit Police Division as members of the off-duty program.

On Tuesday, between approximately 10 a.m. and approximately 1 p.m., the memorial procession will travel along South Tacoma Way between the City of Lakewood and the Tacoma Dome (map) and will significantly impact all traffic and travel -- including Pierce Transit bus service on many bus routes.

Pierce Transit is rerouting buses around the procession. If your Tuesday travel plans take you near the procession area, give yourself plenty of time, travel before 10 a.m. or after 1 p.m., or be prepared for significant delays. Significant delays, route detours, and missed connections may occur on other routes as well, especially in the Tacoma Dome area.

Pierce Transit will not be able to tell you when specific buses will arrive at or depart from specific locations.

The following bus routes will be on detour beginning at 10:00 a.m. until approximately 1:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.  Delays will occur on these routes:

Route 1  No service on Pacific Ave. between S. 21st St and S. 38th St.  

Route 3  No service on Center St. and Pine St. between Wilkeson  and S. 38th St. and no service on the regular route between 74th/Oakes and the Lakewood Transit Center.

Route 42 No service between East “D” St. and McKinley Ave. north of 34th St.

Route 48  Service will terminate at 96th and So. Tacoma Way.  Passengers wishing to continue to Lakewood should transfer at S. 96th and Steele to the 55 Route to Parkland, then the 204 Route to Lakewood. Northbound riders do the reverse.

Route 52  No service between Union Ave. at S. 35 and Pine St. at S. 36th.

Route 53, 53A  No service on Pacific Ave. between S. 21st. and S. 38th St. and no service  between Tacoma Mall Transit Center  and S. 56th at Tyler St.

Route 57  No service between Union Ave. and Pine St. at 35th.

Route 202  No service between S. 74nd St./ Tacoma Mall Blvd. and Lakewood.  202 will serve Lakewood Transit Center but no other stops west of I-5.

Route 204  9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM, no service between 112th and Steele St. to 108th and Bridgeport.  204 will serve Lakewood Sounder Station and Lakewood Transit Center.

Route 300  No service between Tacoma Mall Transit Center and McChord AFB, but route will terminate at Lakewood Sounder Station and connect with other routes.  No service to SR 512 Park & Ride or McChord AFB from 9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM.

Routes 574 and 594 (Sound Transit) Will not serve SR 512 Park & Ride from 9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM, but will serve the Lakewood Sounder Station where they will connect with other routes.  574 will continue to serve Lakewood Transit Center.

Route 603 (Intercity Transit) Will not serve SR 512 Park & Ride from 9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM, but will serve the Lakewood Sounder Station where it will connect with other routes.

Pierce Transit will operate limited bus service to the Tacoma Dome from two alternative parking locations (map).  The service will be free to the public. Bus service will begin at 10:30 a.m.  The last bus will leave from each location at 12 noon. Buses will make return trips immediately following the conclusion of the memorial service. The public is encouraged to utilize these off-site parking lots.The two off-site parking areas \are:

Cheney Stadium, 2502 South Tyler Street, Tacoma

Tacoma Mall – North Parking Lot (across the parking lot from Macy’s, near the Goodyear Tire store) (Note: not near the Firestone Tire store as previously mentioned)

For additional information visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org <http://www.piercetransit.org> or call Pierce Transit Customer Services at 253. 581.8000.

For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2009

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

Ride FREE on Pierce Transit this Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day Pierce Transit will provide free rides on local buses and SHUTTLE.

Schedule:

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 26, Pierce Transit local bus service, SHUTTLE, and Sound Transit Express service will operate on a Sunday schedule. Tacoma Link will operate on a holiday schedule.  Bus Plus, Olympia Express, Intercity Transit buses and offices, and Sounder commuter rail will not operate.  

 On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Pierce Transit local bus service, SHUTTLE, and Sound Transit Express, Tacoma Link, and Intercity Transit will operate on a normal weekday schedule. Sounder commuter rail will operate on a modified holiday schedule; please refer to their website for the detailed time table.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and the Bus Shop locations on Commerce Street and at the Tacoma Dome Station will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday, November 27.  The Lakewood Bus Shop sales office will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Friday from 10am – 4pm; phone information is available from 9am – 5 p.m.   
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253.581.8000

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 SchoolRiders 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.

For Release:     Immediate
Media Contact:  Lind Simonsen
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009               
Phone:  253-581-8034

Pierce Transit Labor Day Schedule

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.
 

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.

# # #

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.

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

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

2008 Press Release Archive

2007 Press Releases • 2006 Press Releases • 2005 Press Releases

Contact: Lars Erickson, Public Relations Officer        253.984-8218

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Monday, December 22, 2008

Pierce Transit Christmas and New Year’s Schedule
Ride for Free on Christmas Day

LAKEWOOD, WA – Pierce Transit will operate local bus and SHUTTLE service on a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, and New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1.

On Christmas Day, Pierce Transit will provide local bus and SHUTTLE service for free.

There will be no Olympia Express service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Pierce Transit will operate regular service schedules on Christmas Eve Day, Wednesday, December 24 and New Year’s Eve Day, Wednesday, December 31.

Also, Pierce Transit will resume regular schedules after Christmas on Friday, December 26 and after New Year’s Day on Friday, January 2.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and Bus Shops will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Monday, November 24, 2008

Pierce Transit Thanksgiving Schedule
Ride for Free on Thanksgiving Day

LAKEWOOD, WA – On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th, Pierce Transit services will operate on a Sunday schedule.  There will be no Olympia Express service and Bus PLUS will not operate.  Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shops will be closed.
 
Pierce Transit will provide local bus and SHUTTLE service rides for free on Thanksgiving Day.

On Friday, November 28th, Pierce Transit services will operate on a regular weekday schedule, administrative offices and the Commerce St. and Tacoma Dome Station Bus Shops will be closed.  The Lakewood Bus Shop sales office will be open from 10am – 4pm, and phone information will be available from 9am – 5pm.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org <http://www.piercetransit.org> .

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Thursday, September 4, 2008

Pierce Transit Wins Award for Daffodil Bus

Lakewood, WA - Pierce Transit’s award winning Marketing Department has done it again, winning a First Place Award for the 2008 Daffodil Festival Bus in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 29th Annual AdWheel Awards. The awards recognize APTA member organizations for excellence in advertising, communication, marketing, and promotions.

A 40-foot bus was fully wrapped with a scene depicting an expansive field of yellow daffodils beneath a brilliant blue sky. Eight children, ages two through six, are pictured on the sides and back of the bus in playful poses, holding daffodils. They are all children of Pierce Transit employees. The bus was designed by Senior Marketing Design Specialist Lorie Bartnes and the children’s photography was done by Community Relations Coordinator Lind Simonsen.

The bus made its public appearance debut at the Junior Daffodil Parade on April 5, and the Grand Floral Parade on April 12. Every day the bus is assigned to different routes throughout the Pierce Transit service area, on any given day it can appear anywhere within the Pierce Transit 417 square-mile service area.

Pierce Transit will be recognized at a special ceremony during the October APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO 2008 in San Diego.

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A photo of the award winning 2008 Pierce Transit Daffodil Festival Bus can be seen (and downloaded for publication) here.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Take Pierce Transit to the Puyallup Fair

Lakewood, WA- Beginning Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 21, ride Pierce Transit’s non-stop Puyallup Fair Express service from eight convenient Pierce County locations:

· Tacoma Community College Transit Center

· Tacoma Dome Station

· Downtown Tacoma (10th & Commerce, no free parking)

· South Hill Mall (Southeast lot near Meridian)

· Bonney Lake Park & Ride

· Sumner Train Station

· Lakewood Towne Center

· I-5/SR 512 Park & Ride (Sat/Sun Only)

Parking is FREE at all locations except Downtown Tacoma.

Express service runs often and conveniently drops off and picks up from the Blue Gate. Service is only $1.50 each way (exact change), for convenience it is highly recommended riders purchase a return ticket at their point of origin. Valid local transfers are worth $1.50 toward the fare. For senior or disabled riders, a Regional Reduced Fare Permit must be shown with a 75¢ fare.

Schedules vary by location, for more information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site at www.piercetransit.org.

In 2007, Pierce Transit provided over 100,000 express trips during the Puyallup Fair.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Pierce Transit Labor Day Schedule

LAKEWOOD, WA – On Labor Day, Monday, September 1st, Pierce Transit services will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus PLUS will not operate.

Pierce Transit’s Olympia Express routes 601 and 603A will not be in operation. People planning transit travel between Tacoma and Olympia on Monday may take Intercity Transit route 620.

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

For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Pierce Transit Seeks Public Comment on Fare Revisions

LAKEWOOD, WA – The public is invited to attend a September 8th, 2008 Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners meeting to comment on a proposed fare revision that would be implemented in January 2009.  The proposed fare would not impact local service fares for senior/disabled and youth riders, or SHUTTLE riders. 

The proposed fares are as follows:

The last fare increase for Pierce Transit local routes was in March 2006; the Olympia Express fare has not changed since 1999.

The September 8th Pierce Transit Board of Commissioner’s meeting will take place at 4:00 P.M. in the Rainier Room of Pierce Transit’s Training Center, 3720 96th St. SW, Lakewood, WA.

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For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Thursday, July 31, 2008

From: American Public Transportation Association Transit News

Contacts: Virginia Miller, 202-496-4816 • Mantill Williams, 202-496-4869

PUBLIC TRANSIT USERS AVOID HIGH GAS PRICES:
SAVE OVER $8,000 per HOUSEHOLD ANNUALLY

WASHINGTON, DC – A person can save more than $8,000 per year annually by taking public transportation instead of driving based on today’s gas prices, according to new analysis released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). According to APTA’s “Monthly Transit Savings Report” a person can save an average of $672 dollars per month based on today’s gas price of $3.909 as reported by AAA. The savings are more than the average household pays for food in a year.

APTA will release once a month a “Transit Savings Report” which shows how much a person can save on a monthly and yearly basis by taking public transit and living with one less car in his or her household. Gas prices have increased by 179.9 percent since 2003 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After factoring in today’s average gas price and the average transit fare, the analysis shows that a person can save $672 a month and $8,059 per year by riding public transit. The annual cost savings is almost $2,000 more than the annual cost of food, according to the Food Institute ($6,111).

“We are releasing our ‘Transit Savings Report’ once a month to remind consumers that taking public transportation is the quickest way to save money and beat the high price of gasoline,” said William W. Millar, president of APTA. “In these tough economic times, a record number of Americans are saying my other car is the train or bus and it helps me balance my budget.”

The top 20 cities with the highest ridership are ranked in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transportation pass and factoring in today’s local gas prices.*

Top Twenty Cities – Transit Savings Report

*Based on gasoline prices as reported by AAA on 7/31/08.

APTA calculates the average cost of taking public transit by determining the average monthly transit pass of local public transit agencies across the country. This information is based on the annual APTA fare collection survey and is weighted based on ridership (unlinked passenger trips). The assumption is that a person making a switch to public transportation would likely purchase an unlimited pass on the local transit agency, typically available on a monthly basis.

APTA then compares the average monthly transit fare to the average cost of driving. The cost of driving is calculated using the 2008 AAA average cost of driving formula. AAA cost of driving formula is based on variable cost and fixed cost. The variable cost includes the cost of gas, maintenance and tires. The fixed cost includes insurance, license registration, depreciation and finance charges. The comparison also uses the average mileage of a mid-size auto at 23.4 miles per gallon and today’s price for self-serve regular unleaded as recorded by AAA at $3.909 per gallon. The analysis also assumes that a person will drive an average of 15,000 miles per year. The savings assumes a two person household will live with one less car.

To calculate your individual savings with or without car ownership, go to www.publictransportation.org.

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Pierce Transit Board Elects New Officers

LAKEWOOD, WA – New officers were elected at the July Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners meeting. Dave Enslow, Mayor of Sumner, was elected Chair and Mike Lonergan, Tacoma City Councilmember, was elected Vice Chair.

Mayor Enslow replaces outgoing Chair, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, who will remain on the Board. Councilmember Lonergan replaces Mayor Enslow as Vice Chair.

“My sincere gratitude goes to County Executive Ladenburg for his service as Chair of the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners,” said Pierce Transit CEO Lynne Griffith. “His vision and leadership ensures that Pierce Transit will continue to meet the needs of our community for many years to come. I look forward to working with Mayor Enslow and Councilmember Lonergan to build on our rich tradition of innovation.”

Pierce Transit is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners. The board is made up of elected officials representing Pierce County, Tacoma, Lakewood and the smaller towns and cities of our service area. The Board of Commissioners meets the second Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at Pierce Transit headquarters in Lakewood.

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Ride Free to McChord Air Expo 2008

LAKEWOOD, WA – To honor the men and women in our community who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, Pierce Transit will provide free round-trip express service to McChord Air Force Base for Air Expo 2008.   Pierce Transit’s express service will begin at 7:30 a.m. from two locations, the parking lot behind the Barnes & Noble and Target stores at Lakewood Towne Center and the 512 Park & Ride lot.  The last buses will leave these locations going to the event at 3:00 p.m. each day.  All bus service, including return bus service, will stop running at 3:00 p.m. each day during the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds aerial demonstration.  Return bus service will resume upon the conclusion of the world-renowned aerial demonstration.
 
The flying is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. both days.

# # #

For additional information about Pierce Transit service, please call Customer Service at 253-581-8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site.
 
For media inquiries about Pierce Transit, please contact Lars Erickson at lerickson@piercetransit.org.

For information on McChord Air Expo 2008, please visit http://www.mcchordairexpo.com

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Friday, June 27, 2008

Pierce Transit July 4th Holiday Service

LAKEWOOD, WA – During the upcoming July 4th holiday, area residents and visitors can use Pierce Transit services to enjoy local events.

July 3-7, Tall Ships Festival, Foss Waterway, Tacoma

Ride one of the 12 Pierce Transit routes with service to Tall Ships activities: 1, 11, 13, 41, 42, 48, 53, 61, 102, 490, 500 & 501 offer service to and from downtown Tacoma with stops at 15th, 17th and 19th & Pacific Avenue. Routes 2, 3, 16, 26, 45 & 57 don't come quite as close, although it's still just a short walk downhill, you can easily transfer from them on Commerce Street to routes that serve Pacific Avenue.

One way fare is $1.50, or on Friday, July 4, Saturday, and Sunday, buy an all day pass for just $3.00 and ride as often as you want.

July 4, Freedom Fair

The big one! Catch the 4th of July Express to Old Town from Tacoma Community College and the Tacoma Dome Station. Service starts at 10am and runs every 15 minutes until 8pm. Catch express service back to your car after the fireworks, lasting until all riders have been brought back.

Express bus fare is $1.50 each way, or you can buy an all day pass for $3.00 and ride as often as you want on the 4th of July Express and any local route.

On Friday, July 4, Pierce Transit route 13 will operate on a special half-hour schedule from 8:18 am until 8:00 pm. Service will resume on route 13 after the fireworks. Pierce Transit’s Olympia Express, routes 601 and 603A, will not be in operation. People planning transit travel between Tacoma and Olympia on Friday, July 4, may take Intercity Transit route 620. All other local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Sunday schedule. Pierce Transit Customer Service will be available to answer any questions from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at 253-581-8000.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2008.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Tuesday, June 17, 2008

$4.30 a Gallon? Dump the Pump, June 19!

SEATTLE, Wash. – With local gas prices higher than the national average, residents in the Puget Sound region have turned to public transportation in record numbers. A survey of local transit ridership in April 2008 showed 520,000 passengers using buses, trains, ferries, vanpools and paratransit to get around each weekday, a record high.
 
To demonstrate how easy it is to use transit, local agencies are urging residents to park their cars and ride public transportation on June 19, National Dump the Pump Day.
 
Community Transit, Everett Transit, Intercity Transit, King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit are joining transit agencies across the country to ask those who’ve never tried transit to take a ride, and regular transit users to leave their vehicles at home and only use transit that day. That means hopping the bus or a train, sharing the ride in a carpool or vanpool, or using human power by cycling or walking.

“People are really thinking about how they get around and many are taking action by getting out of their cars and onto transit,” said Joyce Eleanor, CEO of Community Transit. “Dump the Pump Day is a time for people to make a statement about the choices they’re willing to make.”
 
“Whether they are going to work, a doctor’s office, or shopping, it is important for Puget Sound area residents to know that public mass transit offers them safe, reliable, and low-cost transportation choices,” said Lynne Griffith, CEO of Pierce Transit.  
 
While many new transit passengers are those who choose to leave their vehicles behind, others are being forced to find alternatives.
 
“Many people using transit these days simply cannot afford to drive their cars as much as they did in the past,” said Kevin Desmond, general manager of King County Metro Transit. “It’s not just commuters who want to save a few bucks. Some families are finding they need to leave their vehicles at home in order to pay the bills.”
 
“I dumped the pump”
To encourage participation in National Dump the Pump Day, Community Transit is flyering the 1,000-stall Ash Way Park & Ride in Lynnwood to encourage regular commuters to take the bus from home to the park & ride that day. On June 19, the agency will invite riders to cover a poster depiction of a gas pump with stickers saying “I dumped the pump” between 6 and 8 a.m.
 
Pierce Transit will be distributing “I dumped the pump” stickers to riders at select transit centers throughout their system between 6:30 and 8 a.m. that day.
 
In Olympia, Intercity Transit is hosting a series of events and transit fairs providing transit trip planning and rideshare information to interested commuters. Thousands of people are expected to sign a roving “I dumped the pump” community banner this month and commuters traveling through area transit centers, the Capitol Campus and park and ride lot on June 19 will get “I dumped the pump” buttons.
 
Additionally, community leaders in Thurston County are showing support for National Dump the Pump Day by either using a commute alternative on June 19 or speaking publicly about the value and importance of transit to our communities and our individual lives.
 
“If we didn’t have transit, we’d have to spend millions more every year to build and widen roads, and still it wouldn’t relieve traffic congestion,” said Ralph Osgood, Mayor of Tumwater.  When people choose to ride the bus, they’re not just saving their own money, they’re saving taxpayers’ money as well.”
 
The bus or train might not work best for everyone, and that is where RideshareOnline.com is great statewide resource. It provides an easy way to find others who are interested in sharing the commute in a carpool or vanpool. For example, Metro Transit has seen a 27 percent increase in people using vanpools and vanshares in the past year, and now has more than 1,000 commuter vans on the road. Community Transit has 352 vanpools on the road; Pierce Transit has 285 and InterCity Transit has 173.
 
Puget Sound Regional Transit Statistics
Public transportation in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties covers:
·    6,589 square miles including…
·    66 cities and towns,
·    447 bus routes,
·    two transit agency ferry routes (Kitsap Transit),
·    83 miles of commuter rail (Sounder),
·    1.6 miles of light rail (17.2 miles by 2009).
 
Average weekday ridership in April 2008, by agency (and contacts):
·    Community Transit, 40,000 (Martin Munguia, 425 348-2348)
·    Everett Transit, 6,800 (Steffani Lillie, 425 257-8914)
·    Intercity Transit, 14,000 (Meg Kester, 360 705-5842)
·    Kitsap Transit, 15,000 (Laurie Talbert, 360 478-6225)
·    King County Metro Transit, 340,000 (Rochelle Ogershok, 206 296-6515)
·    Pierce Transit, 51,800 (Lars Erickson, 253 984-8218)
·    Sound Transit, 53,990 (Linda Robson, 206 398-5149)
 
Many of the region’s commuting options are outlined at: http://metro.kingcounty.gov//tops/tri/tri-main.html.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Friday, June 13, 2008  
 

Changes Expected for Pierce Transit Special Event Service  

LAKEWOOD, WA. – People who enjoy using Pierce Transit special service to go to community events and festivals should be aware that new Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rules could limit Pierce Transit’s ability to provide this service.
 
The rule changes do not affect regular Pierce Transit bus service.  The intent of the new Federal regulations is to open up special event service to private charter companies.  The new federal charter service rules went into effect April 30.  Since these rules are so new, the effect they have on each of the events Pierce Transit provides service for has not yet been defined.
 
We do know however, that participants who ride the bus from the TCC Transit Center to the Sound to Narrows event on Saturday, June 14, will be the first in the community to experience changes.  Federal regulations no longer allow an event sponsor (MultiCare sponsors the Sound to Narrows) to pay the bus fare for participants.  In past years, participants rode for free and MultiCare paid the fare.  This year, each participant will have to pay $1.50 one way or $3.00 for a round trip ticket.  All other normal discounts apply.  Last year Pierce Transit provided more than 4,200 rides to Sound to narrows participants.
 
If Pierce Transit service for an event falls under the new definition of charter service, the agency must first contact private charter firms registered with the FTA to see if any are interested in providing the service.  If any firms indicate they are interested, Pierce Transit is precluded from providing the service.  Private operators will be given the opportunity to negotiate with the event sponsor for the transportation service.  If no private company is willing and able to provide the transportation service, Pierce Transit may be able to continue its special service to the venue.
 
Pierce Transit has been working closely with the FTA and event organizers to understand and clarify the rule requirements.  More information about these rules and the impact on Pierce Transit service will be provided as it becomes available.   People should also check with event organizers for updated transportation information.

Pierce Transit Memorial Day Schedule

LAKEWOOD, WA – On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, Pierce Transit services will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Bus Plus will not operate.

Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000, or visit the Pierce Transit web site.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Tuesday, March 25, 2008          

Pierce Transit Announces PugetPass Partnership with Saar’s

LAKEWOOD, WA –Pierce Transit today announced an agreement for Pierce County Saar’s Marketplace stores to be PugetPass outlets.  
 
PugetPass is a regional transit pass, available in various pass types, accepted as valid fare payment on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, and Everett Transit service.  Saar’s Marketplace stores will carry monthly PugetPasses, which provide unlimited trips for the calendar month.
 
“I am very pleased Saar’s Marketplace stores will be providing a valuable service to our riders,” said Pierce Transit CEO, Lynne Griffith. “With the move of our Lakewood Bus Shop from the Lakewood Towne Center, Saar’s service will fill a needed demand.”
 
“As a member of the Pierce County community, we are happy to work closely with Pierce Transit to streamline our customers’ shopping experience,” said Greg Saar, President of Saar’s Inc.

For Release:  Immediate                                       
Date:  Wednesday, February 13, 2008          

Pierce Transit Presidents’ Day Schedule

LAKEWOOD, WA – On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 18th, Pierce Transit local bus service and the SHUTTLE paratransit service will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Bus Plus will not operate.

Pierce Transit’s Olympia Express, routes 601 and 603A, will not be in operation.  People planning transit travel between Tacoma and Olympia on Monday may take Intercity Transit route 603.  
 
Pierce Transit administrative offices and all Bus Shop facilities will be closed.
 
For additional information call Pierce Transit Customer Service at 253-581-8000

2007 Press Releases:

For Immediate Use

December 12 , 2007

Pierce Transit Board Approves Annual Budget

LAKEWOOD, WA – The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners last evening approved the annual budget for 2008. Priorities in the approved $196 Million budget include investments in public safety, congestion relief and service improvements for a growing ridership.  
“The message this budget sends our passengers is that Pierce Transit will be safer, more reliable and offer even more options to those who depend on transit service,” said Pierce County Executive and Board Chair John Ladenburg.  “The message the budget sends to the community is that Pierce Transit is willing to make smart investments that help attract and retain businesses, better manage growth and keep us competitive in this global economy.”
 
Highlights from the Pierce Transit 2008 annual budget:

• Hiring of 24 full-time Security Officers, replacing 13 contracted positions, for site and onboard security presence and emergency preparedness.
• Adding three Pierce County Sheriff Deputies to serve as Transit Police Officers.  The Transit Police Department will be fully staffed with four more officers in 2009, for a total of eight officers.
• Deploying wireless closed circuit television cameras on the buses allowing police to see and hear activity inside buses while they are in motion.
• Deploying the new CAD/AVL (Computer Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Locator) system, allowing the buses to be computer dispatched, paving the way for greatly improved radio coverage, interoperability with regional emergency responders, future system expansion, increased system efficiency and expediting response from agency safety and security personnel.
• Increasing service hours by 10%, to accommodate growing ridership, giving more options for commuters and reliability to current customers.
  

“This budget is about moving Pierce Transit forward,” said Pierce Transit CEO Lynne Griffith. “We are making strategic investments to improve our performance and the quality of life for our customers, operators and the citizens of Pierce County.”
 
Also at the board meeting, Mark Neary, a representative of the Government Finance Officers Association of The United States and Canada (GFOA), presented Pierce Transit with a Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for the Pierce Transit 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), it is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.  Pierce Transit has been recognized 22 times by GFOA for demonstrating a “constructive spirit of full disclosure” in financial reporting.  Kathy Sullivant, Finance Director for Pierce Transit, received an individual Award of Financial Achievement from GFOA for preparing the award-winning CAFR.
 
Pierce Transit is the public transportation agency for Pierce County, Washington, providing the community with local and express bus routes, vanpools, rideshare services, and SHUTTLE transportation for people with disabilities. 

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For Immediate Use

July 16, 2007

Pierce Transit bus service to Narrows Bridge ceremony sets single-day service record

TACOMA, WA. -  Pierce Transit bus service to the Narrows Bridge Opening Celebration set a single-day passenger record.  The special event bus service transported more than 28,000 people from three locations to the ceremony site.  With return trips, this amounts to more than 56,000 passenger trips, beating the previous record of 32,969 trips set during the 2005 Freedom Fair – Tall Ships event.

Special bus service was provided beginning at 10 a.m. from three locations; Tacoma Community College Transit Center, Narrows Airport, and Gig Harbor High School, utilizing 44 buses. 

In addition, the 5k Bridge Run/Walk transportation began at 5:30 a.m.  The event was so well attended that the Washington State Patrol halted incoming bus trips at 8:30 a.m. because the venue site was at its capacity.  As the Run/Walk participants left the area, inbound trips were allowed to resume at approximately 9:15 a.m.

Regular Pierce Transit Sunday bus service operated normally throughout the 417 square- mile service area.

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For Immediate Use – July 5 , 2007    12:30 PM

Pierce Transit Freedom Fair Express provided 16,700 rides

The Freedom Fair Express bus service provided more than 16,700 rides to the Independence Day festival.  This is a 16 percent increase in ridership over 2006.  Riders boarded at either the Tacoma Dome Station or the Tacoma Community College Transit Center for a direct ride to the Old Town area.

Following the fireworks show, 55 transit buses were used to transport 4,680 people back to the park and ride locations.

Pierce Transit special event bus service is a convenient, cost effective way for people to attend large community events without dealing with the hassle of traffic congestion and parking.  Using public transportation on the Forth of July – and any other day – is also good for the environment.  All the transit buses in the Pierce Transit fleet operate on clean-burning Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).  CNG buses significantly reduce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and virtually eliminate particulate emissions, when compared to conventional diesel vehicles.  In addition, individuals who ride the bus help the region meet Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards by reducing emissions from their personal vehicles.  

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For Immediate Use – May 8, 2007    8:10 PM

PIERCE TRANSIT IS HOME OF THE NUMBER ONE TRANSIT OPERATOR IN THE NATION!

Pierce Transit Bus Operator Brentt Mackie (Click on picture to download high-resolution version)

TACOMA, WA.  - Pierce Transit Bus Operator Brentt Mackie has been awarded the trophy for First Place in the nation in the 40-foot Transit Coach Division at the 2007 International Bus Roadeo that has just concluded in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Roadeo competition requires drivers maneuver their vehicles through an intricate maze of 13 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.
 
Mackie placed first at the WSDOT annual statewide transit Roadeo held on August 13, 2006 at King County Metro’s Safety Training Center in Tukwila.
 
The Pierce Transit Maintenance Team made up of Journey Level Mechanics Jose Guzman, Kim Huynh, and Scott Simonsen place 22 out of 46 teams.  As a rookie team, they made an impressive showing.
 
Overall, Pierce Transit place 9th in the nation!
 
The event is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association and coincides with the annual convention being held this year in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bus Roadeo was developed to provide participants with positive, job-related motivation by emphasizing the important role played by bus drivers and mechanic in providing transit customers with safe and reliable transit service.
 
Pierce Transit is the public transportation agency for Pierce County, providing the community with local and express bus routes, vanpools, rideshare services, and SHUTTLE transportation for people with disabilities. Last year, the agency provided more than 14 million passenger trips.

For Immediate Use                                                             

April 21, 2007

Pierce Transit Public Safety Chief Receives Leadership Award

TACOMA, WA.  -  Pierce Transit Chief of Public Safety, Rod Baker (link to hi-res jpg), was presented with the 2006 Leadership Award at the April 19 regional Law Enforcement Appreciation banquet of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). Each year ASIS pays tribute to the law enforcement agencies and officers who protect and support the greater Puget Sound community.  The group also recognizes law enforcement agencies and their officers who have made special contributions throughout the year to keep businesses, communities, and citizens safe.            

Baker received the Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to public safety and his leadership and demonstrated excellence in police administration and management.  Baker is responsible for managing the policing services at Pierce Transit facilities throughout the 414 square-mile service area in the Tacoma/Pierce County area.

“Maintaining a safe transit environment depends on the active involvement and collaboration of transit employees, law enforcement, passengers, neighborhood residents, and the public at large, stated Lynne Griffith, Chief Executive Officer for Pierce Transit. “I am delighted that Rod received this much-deserved recognition.”

On March 20, 2006, Rod Baker, Chief of Public Safety and Security for Pierce Transit became the first commissioned law enforcement officer for a public transportation agency in Washington State. In addition, he was also the first transit employee to graduate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy in 2006.  He is a member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, hosted the Street Crimes Course for local law enforcement personnel, a National Transit Institute instructor, and has been selected to be a Transit Security Institute Instructor.  

His work with the Tacoma and Lakewood Police Department Gang Activities Task Force helped reduce youth incidents at transit facilities and in areas adjacent to major transit facilities, and a graffiti reduction program has reduced the agency’s costs to replace or repair transit property by over 400 percent since 2002.  

Rod has provided leadership both inside the agency and within the community.  He has established collaborative relationships with the Tacoma and Lakewood Police Departments and is in the process of formalizing a similar agreement with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.  He formalized the agency’s emergency preparedness plan and has developed an excellent relationship with the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management.   

Baker helped to increase awareness among Pierce Transit employees for the need of personal and agency-wide emergency preparedness and training. In 2004, he began a series of National Transit Institute training initiatives and facilitated the completion of National Incident Management System training requirements.

Pierce Transit is the public transportation agency for Pierce County, providing the community with local and express bus routes, vanpools, rideshare services, and SHUTTLE transportation for people with disabilities. Last year, the agency provided more than 14 million passenger trips.

end

2006 Press Releases:

For Immediate Use - July 10, 2006

Pierce Transit solutions to high fuel costs – buses, vanpools, and carpools

All of us are affected in some way by the ever-increasing high price of gas.  After housing, transportation is the second highest cost for most American families, outpacing both food and health care costs.  Since January 2003, gas prices have increased by 100 percent.  Everyone has an opinion about what should be done, but no one has been able to provide relief.  You have options, and Pierce Transit can help.

Pierce Transit offers the quickest, easiest alternative to the high cost of gas. Pierce Transit has made it easy to find information about bus routes and schedules, vanpools, carpools, and Park & Ride lots on its web site at www.piercetransit.org.  Many people feel uncomfortable riding the bus because they don’t understand how it works. The web site offers first-time bus users, or people who are unfamiliar with public transportation in our area, some useful tools to better understand their available options.  With a click of the mouse you have 24-hour access to Trip Planner, which creates a free itinerary of your transit trip, bus schedules that include maps and major destinations for all local routes, and an e-store that allows you to buy local and express bus passes and tickets – which we’ll mail to your home free of charge.  With an adult monthly pass you can take unlimited rides on local service for just $54.  A youth pass is available for those under 18 for just $27 a month, or 75 cents in the farebox.  It doesn’t take too many fill ups to exceed the cost of a bus pass.  To see how much you’re spending on your commute, calculate your monthly driving expense by using the Commute Calculator in the web site’s Rideshare section.  Most people are surprised at how much they spend on their monthly commute.

We know from experience that when drivers try transit, many become regular users and want to use it more often.  Our riders tell us that the Pierce Transit system offers an easy, comfortable, and convenient way to get to work, school, activities, and many other destinations.

“With gasoline prices at record levels, many Americans are finding that mobility is becoming unaffordable,” said Rachel Grover, Employer Program Specialist for Pierce Transit, “Public transit is the quickest way to beat high gas prices. By using public transportation or other ride sharing options on a regular basis, a person can save between $300 and $3,000 in fuel costs per year.”

Pierce Transit realizes that riding the bus may not work for everyone or every situation.  Pierce Transit will help you or your company explore other transportations options that may work for you and save you money.  You can consider joining an existing vanpool, or starting or joining a carpool and using the system of Park & Ride lots located throughout Pierce County.  Your employer may be willing to help you save even more. Many local employers are providing pre-tax dollars for employees to use on public transportation. And there are tax incentives available for the company.  Currently over 100 employers in Pierce County offer these programs as part of their employee recruitment package, or a welcomed new benefit for current employees.  Participating employers include Regence Blueshield, MultiCare, Russell Investment Group, the Attorney General’s Office, UW Tacoma, Franciscan Medical Group & Health System, and The News Tribune, to mention a few.

To find out more about ways you or your company can reduce commute costs or to schedule a meeting with a Community Services representative call 253.581.8000 or visit www.piercetransit.org .

end

For Immediate Use
March 24, 2006

Lynne M. Griffith Named Chief Executive Officer for Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit CEO Lynne M. Griffith (Click on picture to download high-resolution version)

TACOMA, WA. - Pierce Transit in Lakewood, Washington, has named Lynne M. Griffith, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of C-TRAN (Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area) of Vancouver, Washington, as its new Chief Executive Officer effective mid to late April.

At a special meeting held Friday, March 24, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a compensation package with a salary of $138,000 a year plus benefits. At C-TRAN since 2000, Griffith was responsible for managing the 27 fixed route bus system, 385 employees, and an annual budget of $32 million. Griffith succeeds Don S. Monroe, who retired March 31 after serving as Pierce Transit's Chief Executive Officer for 25 years. Susan Lang, Vice President of Technology and Transit Development, was appointed Interim Chief Executive.

Griffith brings 35 years of demonstrated leadership in the transportation industry that includes 17 years of direct experience in public transportation management. Prior to serving as C-TRAN's Executive Director and CEO in Clark County, Washington, Griffith managed both urban and suburban public transit programs in the Atlanta region, including the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) largest CNG fixed route and ADA Paratransit operations; Cobb Community Transit, a suburban bus system in an Atlanta neighboring community; and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) where she was responsible for developing a multimodal transit program for the 13-county Atlanta region. Griffith's transit experience includes the planning, development, and operation of rapid and commuter rail, local and express fixed route bus, paratransit, and vanpool and rideshare programs. Her planning experience includes the study of light rail, design of fixed route bus and paratransit services, and technology improvements associated with the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Griffith also provides leadership in the transit industry and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Washington State Transit Association, as an advisory board member for Washington's Office of Transit Mobility, and serves on the American Public Transit Association's CEO Bus and Paratransit Committee. In addition, Griffith is involved in community programs and has been active in Rotary, the YWCA, and other civic organizations.

"I'm impressed with Pierce Transit, its strategic vision, the progressive and innovative change occurring in Tacoma, and the transit growth opportunities in the Puget Sound area," stated Griffith, "I'm honored to join the organization."

Pierce Transit is the public transportation agency for Pierce County, providing the community with local and express bus routes, vanpools, rideshare services, and SHUTTLE transportation for people with disabilities. Pierce Transit provides service to 450 square miles of Pierce County with 52 bus routes, 950 employees, and an annual budget of $148 million. In addition, Pierce Transit contracts with Sound Transit to provide express bus service. Last year, Pierce Transit provided more than 15 million passenger trips. - END

For Immediate Use March 22, 2006

Pierce Transit becomes first state transit agency with commissioned law enforcement officer

TACOMA, WA.  - Pierce Transit in Lakewood, Washington becomes the first public transportation agency in the State of Washington to grant a general police commissioning to its public safety officer.  In a ceremony held at Pierce Transit’s Lakewood headquarters on Monday, March 20, Rod Baker, Transit Public Safety Manager, recited the Oath of Commissioning administered by Don Monroe, Chief Executive Officer of Pierce Transit.

Pierce Transit CEO Don S. Monroe congratulates Rod Baker, Transit Public Safety Manager, following the recital of the Oath of Commissioning.  Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna attended the event and delivered the keynote address on the vital role of transit policing. [Click on photo to download high-resolution version]

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, as well as senior law enforcement officials and representatives of area police departments, attended the event.  Attorney General Rob McKenna delivered the keynote address that highlighted the important role public transportation agencies have in the nation-wide war on terrorism. 

“Maintaining a safe transit environment depends on the active involvement and collaboration of transit employees, law enforcement, passengers, neighborhood residents, and the public at large, stated McKenna.  “As the ‘eyes and ears’ of our transit system, they all play a vital role in bolstering transit security by becoming more aware of the surroundings and reporting suspicious activities to the proper authorities.”

The primary responsibility of the Public Safety Division is the deterrence, detection, and apprehension of individuals that commit criminal acts within the transit system.  The full police commissioning of the transit public safety manager will improve interagency communications and cooperation and will provide Pierce Transit with the ability to interact with any of the 34 law enforcement jurisdictions within its 450 square mile service area.  This will allow Pierce Transit to obtain information surrounding criminal incidents and to conduct a higher level of background investigations and screenings consistent with state requirements for law enforcement personnel. 

The transit public safety manager provides direction and oversight to independently contracted law enforcement officers from the Tacoma and Lakewood police departments and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department that provide daily law enforcement services.

“The law enforcement commissioning of the Pierce Transit Public Safety Manager will enhance the security services that Pierce Transit provides to our passengers and employees,” stated Don S. Monroe.  “We value the cooperation and support we receive from the law enforcement community.” 

Pierce Transit’s Public Safety Manager recently graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Equivalency Academy and received a General Law Enforcement Commission.  At its February 13 meeting, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners approved the official police commissioning of the Transit Public Safety Division and the Transit Public Safety Manager, and in turn modified the Pierce Transit Administrative Code to reflect these changes.

Commissioning will also improve Pierce Transit’s ability to meet the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Transit Administration with regards to the security of public transit systems and to become a vital member of the anti-terrorism network for the sharing of information.

Other transit agencies around the country are taking a similar approach to improving their transit security.  Many already have transit police forces or contract for full-time services.  The Pierce Transit program is modeled after the Regional Transit District program in Denver, Colorado.

Pierce Transit is the public transportation agency for Pierce County, providing the community with local and express bus routes, vanpools, rideshare services, and SHUTTLE transportation for people with disabilities. Last year, the agency provided more than 15 million passenger trips.

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2005 Press Releases:

From the WSDOT Public Transportation and Rail Division Monthly Report, October 2005

For Immediate Use October 4, 2005

Vanpool campaign and Pierce Transit win national award

The public awareness campaign, Freewheeling. Vanpooling is your trip, your way, was developed by WSDOT and the state's transit systems to increase vanpool ridership. Development of the campaign required extensive and detailed coordination. Pierce Transit, the lead agency in creating the look and feel of the campaign, recently received a national award from the Association for Commuter Transportation in the category of Outstanding Service (Partnerships).

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