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 is drafting its Long Range Plan, called Destination 2045.
Following robust public involvement and community feedback over the past year, and taking into account the most current financial projections, an updated draft of the Long Range Plan is now open for comments through August 1. The second draft clarifies options, enhances transparency, and aligns with financial realities. A new baseline scenario outlines what service could look like without new funding up to the current budgeted limit of 482,000 annual service hours. Growth scenarios have been refined to reflect long-term forecasts, with two options based on possible sales tax increases: 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 updated plan includes only essential capital investments tied directly to service, such as expanding the agency’s base to support additional service. Major projects such as bus rapid transit are not part of the core plan but could still move forward with outside funding. Additional edits throughout the draft improve readability and highlight key takeaways. While the plan continues to focus on Pierce Transit’s existing service area, a new section explores service potential in areas that may choose to join the system.
This updated plan offers a clear, realistic path forward for local transit in Pierce County. Public comment will be accepted from June 18 to August 1. The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Plan at its July 14 meeting, and the final version will go to the Board for approval August 11. The draft is available for review and comments at PierceTransit.org/LongRangePlans.
About Pierce Transit:
Founded in 1979, Pierce Transit is a nationally recognized leader in the public transportation industry. The agency’s service covers 292 square miles of Pierce County with roughly 70 percent of the county population. Serving Washington’s second- most-populous county, Pierce Transit provides four types of service: traditional bus, SHUTTLE paratransit, on-demand Runner and Rideshare that help get passengers to jobs, school, appointments and other critical destinations.
For information on services provided by Pierce Transit, visit PierceTransit.org.
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