On Aug. 11, 2025, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners adopted the agency’s new 20-year Long Range Plan, called Destination 2045.

Over the next 20 years, Pierce County’s population will grow, new technologies will change how and why people travel, and the funding to deliver robust transit service will continue to be a challenge. To address and prepare for these changes and lay the foundation for the community’s future mobility and success, Pierce Transit has spent the last year developing its Long Range Plan, called Destination 2045.

The process has included seeking robust public involvement and gathering community feedback. In addition to rider and community input, the adopted plan also takes into account the most current financial projections and future anticipated population growth. It includes a baseline scenario based on the agency’s current 0.6% sales tax funding; this scenario outlines what service could look up to the current budgeted limit of 482,000 annual service hours. The plan also includes to growth scenarios based on potential sales tax funding increases to 0.9% (up to 600,000 hours) and 1.1% (up to 750,000 hours, pending legislative approval). Among other benefits, the 0.9% scenario provides significantly more frequent bus trips, as well as trips later in the day. The 1.1% scenario increases the frequency of trips even further, including on weekends and evenings. It also further expands trip hours on many routes, introduces new routes, and provides additional service enhancements.

To ensure service growth remains sustainable, the only capital investments in the plan are essential projects tied directly to service, such as expanding the agency’s base to support additional service. Other major capital projects such as bus rapid transit are not part of the core plan but could still move forward with outside funding. While the plan continues to focus on Pierce Transit’s existing service area, it also includes a section which explores service potential in communities that may choose to join the system.

To view the adopted Long Range Plan, visit PierceTransit.org/LongRangePlans.

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