How to Ride
How to Ride the Bus
Taking the bus with Pierce Transit is a safe and easy way to travel throughout Pierce County. Before heading to the bus stop, learn how to ride the bus and explore Pierce Transit’s various fare options, safety measures and onboard amenities
Transit App
Route Schedule at Home
1. Plan Your Trip
Call Customer Service
Pierce Transit Customer Service staff are happy to help you plan your bus trip. Call 253.581.8000 Option 1, then Option 1 again, Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. Be ready to provide the following information:
- Your starting address
- The address of your destination
- The day of the week you wish to travel
- The time of day you wish to leave your starting address or arrive at your destination
- Our staff will plan your bus travel and tell you what the fare is. Have a pen and paper handy to write down the information.
The Online Trip Planner is also located in our menu bar. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, use Pierce Transit’s Trip Planner to plan your trip from beginning to end. Enter your information, then click the Plan My Trip button and you have a trip plan! You may print the plan and take it with you.
2. Pay Your Fare
Cash
You’ll pay a fare each time you board the bus. When you pay for your trip with cash, make sure you have correct change, since the farebox does not issue change. As you enter the bus, there is a slot on the farebox that collects dollar bills and a coin slot at the top of the farebox.
All Day Pass
Pierce Transit All Day Passes may be purchased on board Pierce Transit buses. Just tell the driver, then insert exact cash into the farebox, and it will dispense your All Day Pass. The All Day Pass will have an expiration date and time printed on the back. When boarding your next Pierce Transit bus that day, slide your pass through the magnetic stripe reader (with the magnetic stripe at the bottom) on the farebox.
Mobile Ticket App
There is an easy way to pay for Pierce Transit rides right from your phone! Pierce Transit passengers may use the Token Transit app to buy mobile tickets and passes ahead of time. Just activate your ticket or pass just before boarding.
ORCA
If you find that you regularly ride Pierce Transit, consider the convenience and savings of a bus pass loaded on an ORCA card. Our Customer Service staff can help you choose the pass that best meets your needs.
The ORCA card is easy to get:
- Online: myorca.com
- On your smart phone: download the myORCA app
- At an ORCA Ticket Vending Machine you may purchase an adult card
- In person: you may purchase an adult card at one of our participating retailers.
*Reduced Fares
If you are 65 or older, have a qualifying doctor-verified disability, or have a Medicare card, you may ride for a discounted fare. You must show a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) when paying a discounted fare. To
find out if you are eligible, contact Customer Service or visit PierceTransit.org/fares-passes.
3. Enjoy the Ride
Now that you have your plan and have your fare with you, it is time to go! Be sure to arrive at your stop at least 5 minutes early.
When boarding, you may ask the bus operator to lower the bus ramp or to have the bus kneel if you have difficulty with steps.
If you use a wheelchair, the operator will assist you with securing your device.
You may ask the operator to announce your stop if you are unsure where you need to get off the bus.
On board, you can watch the reader which will tell you where you are along the route. You can also listen to the bus stop announcements.
When your stop is announced pull the cord to trigger the bus stop request, and please–remain seated until the bus stops.
If you are transferring at a transit center and you’re not sure where to catch your next bus, ask the operator or any transit personnel and they will assist you.
