Pierce Transit Pilots New, Accessible Signage

October 1, 2024

In response to community input regarding accessibility of transit signage and trip planning tools, a pilot project to install accessible bus stop signage is underway.

Pierce Transit has installed seven new signs at bus stops at Pierce Transit’s Commerce Street Station. Each accessible bus stop sign includes braille, raised lettering and large print, bus stop ID number, type of service available at the stop, and Pierce Transit’s phone number. These signs are part of Pierce Transit’s continuing efforts to make traveling independently for people with disabilities a reality by giving blind, low vision, and deafblind customers the ability to navigate our system in an accessible fashion. Pierce Transit is the only fixed route transit agency in the region to incorporate this type of signage at bus stops.

Earlier this year, Pierce Transit convened a workgroup to assess sample signage, consisting of subject matter experts including representatives from Pierce Transit’s Community Transportation Advisory Group, Lighthouse for the Blind and Deafblind Service Center, Sound Transit Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee, and Pierce County Association of the Blind. The workgroup provided valuable feedback on proposed accessible signage, training for operators, and improvements to accessibility and wayfinding throughout Pierce Transit’s system to enhance the customer experience.

"Many people in our community rely on public transit for everyday transportation”, said Ryan Mello, Pierce Transit Board member and Chair of the Pierce County Council. “This signage program will make our transportation system more inclusive and accessible for everyone, especially those who are blind or have low vision. Ensuring everyone may access our system seamlessly is a top priority and this project demonstrates that commitment."

“Thanks to Ausha Potts, Pierce Transit’s ADA Eligibility Assistant Manager, and other staff at Pierce Transit, we finally have signs accessible for blind, low vision, and deafblind travelers,” said Amin “Tony” Hester, Vice Chair of Pierce Transit’s Community Transportation Advisory Group. “These signs will give us more independence when we’re out taking our necessary bus trips. They give us the ability to know what routes arrive at the bus stop and what number to call if we need some assistance. In the past, unless the planning was done significantly ahead of time, someone with vision loss had a hard time understanding what routes arrive at a particular stop or even what zone they were in.”

Throughout the pilot project Pierce Transit is gathering feedback from riders about potential improvements to the new accessible signage, with any updates to be made at the March 2025 service change. The agency is also pursuing funding to place these accessible signs throughout its service area and continue improving the transit travel experience for riders with disabilities.

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Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital