Our Mission Is to Serve
Pierce Transit improves people’s quality of life by providing safe, reliable, innovative and useful transportation services that are locally based and regionally connected.
A Message From Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus
Pierce Transit is proud to serve our community as your local public transportation provider. In 2025, Pierce Transit delivered more than 7 million rides for people heading to work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, visits with friends and other important destinations. We are an innovative agency, working to provide creative transportation services such as the Runner that connects people to transit in areas that don’t currently have robust service, and Stream Community Line, a high-capacity, rapid bus service between downtown Tacoma and Spanaway.
Ridership on Pierce Transit continues to grow as people discover how easy and affordable it is to use – ridership increased 4% in 2025 and we have now returned to our pre-COVID service levels. We are also focused on sustainability, having reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent since 2017. In 2025, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored Pierce Transit with a nationwide Silver-level Sustainability Commitment award, and we received the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Spotlight on Business Environmental Steward Award.
We focus on keeping our employees and customers safe, with a dedicated public safety force, plus more than 1,000 cameras throughout our system and many shelters with lighting. We keep our customers top-of-mind, with a Customer Experience Plan focused on continually improving our riders’ experiences and a Strategic Plan that is guiding our work over the next six years.
I am proud to serve as Pierce Transit’s CEO and hope you will join me on board soon to experience our exceptional service.
Public Notices, Events & News
Independence Day (Observed) Holiday Schedule
Pierce Transit will observe the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3. Buses will be on a Sunday schedule. The Customer Service Center will be closed and there will be no phone service. SHUTTLE reservations [ Read More ]
Pierce Transit Invites Public Comment on Transit Development Plan
Pierce Transit’s Transit Development Plan (TDP) looks back at work accomplished in 2025 and describes planned activities from 2026 through 2031. The report includes the agency’s services and operations, goals and strategies, performance measures, consistency [ Read More ]
Additional Payment Option for Runner Riders
Beginning July 1, there will be an additional way to pay for your Runner rides. If you book your ride through the Pierce Transit On Demand app, you can now pay directly in the app [ Read More ]
Pierce Transit to Offer Free Rides to Cooling Centers June 22 through 24
The Puget Sound area will experience high temperatures Monday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 24. To help those who need transportation to get out of the heat and shelter during hot weather, Pierce Transit is [ Read More ]
New Podcast Episode: Fan Zone Express
It's the Summer of Soccer, and Pierce Transit is kicking it off with special event service. The Fan Zone Express is a circulator providing free rides to our local Fan Zone hosted by the Puyallup [ Read More ]
West Garage Elevators Open
Repairs have been completed on the elevators in the West Garage at Tacoma Dome Station. These elevators are now available for use.
A Brief History
Founded in 1979, Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (Pierce Transit) is a nationally recognized leader in the public transportation industry. Pierce Transit covers 292 square miles of Pierce County with roughly 70% of the county population. Serving Washington’s second largest county, Pierce Transit provides four types of service, Fixed Route, SHUTTLE paratransit, Rideshare and Runner that help get passengers to jobs, schools and appointments.
Financing
Primary sources of operating and capital revenue:
