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Leave the driving to a professional and arrive at work relaxed! Taking the bus allows you to put your commute time to use: read the newspaper, make your grocery list, or even get some sleep!
Here are some resources to help get you started:
Plan Your Trip
Use the Pierce Transit Trip Planner to find the times and routes to get you where you’re going. You’ll need your start and end address, and an idea of what time you’d like to leave or arrive. Other transit agencies also have online resources to help you plan.
Is your home a little further from a bus route? Bike or drive to a Park and Ride. Check out the list of regional Park and Rides to find one close to you and to learn about bike locker rentals.
Also, consider catching the Tacoma Link Light Rail downtown; it’s free and runs from the Tacoma Dome Station to 9th and Commerce every 10-20 minutes.
ORCA (One Regional Card for All)
It’s here! Now you can ride around the Sound with one pass. Whether you ride the bus, train, or ferry, your ORCA card has you covered. Ask your employer if they provide an ORCA card or check out the ORCA website to learn how to get your own.
Are you an employer looking to provide ORCA cards to employees? Consider an ORCA Business Account. To learn more about setting up your account and promoting it to employees you can also visit the Employer Services page.
One Bus Away
Get real time updates on bus arrivals in the Puget Sound sent to your phone, PDA or computer. Why? Because no one likes waiting for the bus any more than they have to!
Don’t just save, win!
You can save some cash by riding the bus. Check out this calculator to see how much. Even better, if you log your trips in the Pierce Trips Calendar you can win great prizes. Check out the Campaigns page to see what you could win.
Ride Guide for First-Time Users
Riding is stress-free and enjoyable when you know bus basics. Check out these tips for new riders:
Step 1: Get Connected with Bus Information. Local transit agencies have their routes online or have a customer service representative who can help you find the bus you need. Pierce Transit offers an online Trip Planner. You can also call (253) 581-8000 for Pierce Transit information.
Step 2: Head to the bus stop. Not sure where to find the nearest stop? As long as you have an address, the Trip Planner will help you find it. You can even specify how far you’re willing to walk or bicycle.
Did you know most park and rides also have bike lockers and bike racks? Or, you can load your bike on the front of the bus, and use it again when you get off. Consider linking your commute, by using multiple smart options.
Step 3: Board the Bus. As a bus approaches, stand by the bus stop pole. Check the sign on the bus to be sure it is the one you want. If it is your bus, kindly signal to the operator that you want to board. If not, wave it by.
Step 4: Pay Your Fare. Have exact fare or a bus pass ready when you board – remember, the bus driver does not carry change. The new ORCA Card (One Regional Card for All) makes using buses throughout the Puget Sound area a breeze.
Step 5: Arrive at Your Destination. Push the strip or pull the cord to let the driver know that you want to get off the bus about one block before you reach your stop. If you’re not sure when to pull the cord or aren’t familiar with the stop you’re headed to, let the driver know in advance where you’d like to get off.
Emergency Ride Home
If your employer partners with Pierce Transit and you use a smart commute option to get to work, you may be eligible for a free taxi ride home in case of an emergency. Visit Pierce Trips’ Emergency Ride Home page for more information or contact your Employee Transportation Coordinator.
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