Parkland, Spanaway, Transit

Stream – faster than Route 1, less stops

Posted by Lincoln on

From Pierce Transit

Dear Community Member,

Starting April 1, Pierce Transit is implementing a high-capacity transit service between Spanaway and downtown Tacoma called Stream Community Line, a partnership with MultiCare. This new service will be frequent, rapid and convenient, with fewer stops along the way, contributing to a faster trip.  

Stream service will be offered in addition to the existing Route 1, which will continue to stop at all existing bus stops. Stream will make a new stop at Tacoma Dome Station for additional transit connections. Hours of service will be weekdays from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

What is Stream? 

  • A phased approach to providing fast, frequent transit service between Spanaway and Tacoma 
  • Buses run every 20 minutes during peak commute times, on weekdays mornings and afternoons
  • Stops at 14 major bus stops – saves 14+ minutes travel time in each direction  
  • Makes a stop at Tacoma Dome Station for local and regional connections  
  • Is provided in addition to Route 1, so customers can choose a ride that makes all stops, or a ride with limited stops that gets up and down the corridor more quickly 
  • In the future, all Stream stops will have lighted shelters, benches, real-time arrival signs and other amenities 
  • Stream buses will be able to hold a green light longer, allowing the bus to get through and keeping the bus on the move for a faster trip 
  • Fare is the same as Pierce Transit local service (including free for ages 18 and under) and uses all existing ORCA, mobile and paper ticketing options 

 What is the Difference Between Stream and Route 1? 

  • Route 1 is Pierce Transit’s highest-ridership route, making many stops along the Pacific Avenue/State Route 7 Corridor and running from very early in the morning until late evening, 7 days a week. 
  • Stream is designed to make fewer stops, and will make those stops at major intersections that have had historically high numbers of boardings for Route 1. 
  • Stream runs on weekdays during morning and afternoon/evening to help those riders who commute to/from downtown Tacoma and who connect to other local and regional transit services for work. 
  • Route 1 will continue to serve the corridor alongside Stream, with its current route path from Spanaway through downtown Tacoma and on to Tacoma Community College. 
  • Route 1 and Stream will share some bus stops. In the future, Stream stops will be enhanced with lighted shelters, benches, real-time arrival signs and other amenities. 
  • Stream buses will have a distinct paint job and Stream-specified header messaging to allow riders to differentiate between Route 1 and Stream service.

Find out more, and see the Stream map, at PierceTransit.org/Stream.

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