PIERCE TRANSIT — The Pierce Transit Board recently delayed service reductions planned for September until 2015 in light of unexpected sales tax revenue growth. The Agency remains committed to lowering overall administration costs and improving efficiencies and, as such, Pierce Transit will move forward with its plans to consolidate facilities and realign the organization. Beginning in October, Pierce Transit will consolidate its three Customer Service “Bus Shop” locations into the existing Bus Shop at Tacoma Dome Station (TDS).

The move is part of the Agency’s continuing efforts to preserve as much transit service to the public as possible. Pierce Transit currently provides 393,518 local service hours per year, down from 622,000 local service hours in 2008.

Consolidating three Bus Shops into one location saves the Agency staffing and facilities costs, increases communication and synergy between Customer Service team members who were previously spread out at three locations, and brings the Agency’s customer service level in line with other transit agencies in the area.

The TDS Bus Shop is larger than the other Bus Shop locations, and is a transportation hub served by Pierce Transit, Intercity Transit, Sound Transit’s Express Bus, Sounder, and Tacoma Link services, and Greyhound, with Amtrak in close proximity.

Important Dates to Remember:

On September 30, 2013, the Lost & Found service will relocate to TDS, where Sound Transit’s Tacoma Link Lost & Found is already located. Customers on Pierce Transit and the Tacoma Link will now be able to stop at one location to retrieve their lost articles.

On October 18, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., the Lakewood Bus Shop will close its doors. With this change, sales and bus information phone services will no longer be available on Saturdays. However, ADA Eligibility and training will remain at the Lakewood location.

On November 15, 2013 at 4:00 p.m., the Bus Shop Downtown (on Commerce Street) will close its doors.

On November 18, 2013, the TDS Bus Shop will begin its new operating hours. Walk-in sales will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and phone information will be available from 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Hours may vary on or around holidays.

Other Convenient Customer Service Options

In addition to the Tacoma Dome Station Bus Shop, Pierce Transit customers have other convenient customer service options for purchasing and revaluing their ORCA cards, or purchasing SHUTTLE passes:

• Retail Stores: Customers can purchase adult ORCA cards and revalue all ORCA cards at 20 retailers in Pierce County, including some Safeway, Saar’s Market Place, and QFC locations.
• Ticket Vending Machines: Customers can purchase adult ORCA cards and revalue ORCA cards at ticket vending machines located at the TDS bus platform, at Freighthouse Square, and all Sounder Stations.
• Online at orcacard.com: Customers can purchase products and adult ORCA cards online, or print an order form to make purchases by mail – including Youth and Senior RRFP cards.
• Online at piercetransit.org: Customers can purchase Pierce Transit SHUTTLE passes online. Pierce Transit’s website also offers an easy-to-use regional trip planner.
• Autoload: Customers who are frequent riders can save time by using a credit card and orcacard.com to sign up to have E-purse or monthly passes loaded regularly onto their ORCA cards.
• By Phone: Customers can load an ORCA card by phone, or call the ORCA Call Center for assistance toll free at (888) 988-6722. Route and schedule information is available by calling      253.581.8000.

Pierce Transit’s mission is to connect communities to safe, reliable, customer-friendly transit options. Customers needing assistance or who have questions about the consolidation can call our Customer Service Office at (253) 581-8000.

For further information regarding Pierce Transit services, visit www.piercetransit.org.