TransitThursday, November 5
Pierce County voters approve Prop 1, setting up 47% more Pierce Transit bus service
The Daily Puyallup team
If you ride Pierce Transit, or just wish the bus came more often, Prop 1 passed. Early returns Tuesday night had it at 57.73% yes. The Urbanist reports the agency serves Puyallup, along with Tacoma, Lakewood and Gig Harbor.
Weekends come first. CEO Mike Griffus said weekend service would "immediately" increase, with nine new half-hourly Saturday routes and 14 on Sundays. A spokesperson said buying roughly 60 buses and hiring operators will take at least two to three years.
Prop 1 led 57.73% to 42.27% in early returns
Preliminary results Tuesday night, Washington Secretary of State
Pierce Transit Proposition 1
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
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| Race | Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce Transit Proposition 1 | Yes, won | 74,314 | 57.7% |
| Pierce Transit Proposition 1 | No | 54,405 | 42.3% |
- Tax rate: 0.6% to 0.9% starting April 1, 2027
- Seniors 65 and older ride free from April 1, 2027
- Full rollout expected by the end of 2032
- First-year revenue: about $64 million, 80% for expansion
Voters rejected earlier tries in 2011 and 2012 by fewer than 700 votes. The agency's rate was 0.6% before Prop 1.
Prop 1 lifts Pierce Transit's rate to 0.9%, still below two peers
Source: KNKX Public Radio
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| Value | |
|---|---|
| Pierce Transit today | 0.6% |
| Pierce Transit with Prop 1 | 0.9% |
| Spokane Transit | 0.8% |
| Community Transit | 1.2% |
| Intercity Transit | 1.2% |
Sources: KOMO, Tacoma News Tribune, The Urbanist, KNKX Public Radio