Pierce Transit to Adjust Runner Zones June 8

Pierce Transit Runner picks up and drops off riders in certain areas where a bus may not be available – for the same low public transit fare. Runner offers convenient, fast, and affordable on-demand transportation to help customers get to work, school, and shopping, or to connect riders to local buses or regional rail. Since its launch, the Pierce Transit Runner service has seen ridership significantly higher during certain times of the day but with limited shared rides. This, combined with a complex service design and extensive service area, has resulted in longer-than-desired wait times and somewhat limited seat availability. To improve reliability and serve more riders, Pierce Transit is implementing changes to how the service operates in the Puyallup and Spanaway areas starting June 8.

Service zone changes:

• Spanaway Zone is now two revised zones: Spanaway North & Spanaway South
• Puyallup Zone has been slightly revised
• No more overlap between Spanaway and Puyallup.

Runner rides must stay within a single zone in the Spanaway and Puyallup areas. If traveling between zones, riders can plan their trips using Pierce Transit bus service. Zone changes may be previewed here and take effect June 8.

Pierce Transit is making these changes to offer the most useful and efficient service within budget constraints. Some zones will be slightly smaller to concentrate service where it’s needed most. The adjustments will help improve Runner availability by reducing trip length and duration and enable Pierce Transit to offer rides to more customers and make the service more reliable. Customers are encouraged to use bus service when available.

These updated zone boundaries are based on more than a year’s worth of ridership data, trip patterns, and vehicle usage. To increase efficiency of the service Pierce Transit is updating zones to serve as many customers as possible. The Runner will be focused on areas where there is little to no bus service, and to connect to other Pierce Transit services.

About Pierce Transit Runner
Runner is an affordable, on-demand neighborhood transit service that transports customers in locations that aren’t easily accessible by bus. Runner zones are located in Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Spanaway/Parkland/Midland, Ruston, Tideflats, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. With the exception of the JBLM Runner, service operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Pierce Transit Runner is open to everyone and offers ADA accessible trips. Runner vans can accommodate wheelchairs, mobility devices, and service animals. Vehicles can also accommodate strollers or bikes.

Rides can be booked through the Transit app or the Pierce Transit Runner app, available from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Anyone who does not have a smartphone may call 253.581.8000 and press Option 4 to book a trip.

Runner has the same fare as riding a Pierce Transit bus and is free for youth age 18 and younger. Riders can pay using One Ride Tickets, All Day Passes or 30 Day Passes purchased through their smartphone using the Transit app. Riders can also present a valid ORCA card to ride.

For more information about Pierce Transit Runner, please visit PierceTransit.org/Runner.