Photo of a Pierce Transit bus in front of Mount Rainier by Bruce Englehardt.
What Is Pierce Transit Proposition 1?
Pierce Transit Proposition 1 is a ballot measure to fund improved transit service in Pierce County. For just 3 cents on a $10 purchase, it would fund the first local transit investment in Pierce County since 2002. If approved, it would raise the dedicated transit sales tax rate by 0.3% (from 0.6% to 0.9%) in order to increase transit service by approximately 47%. It would deliver more buses, more often, at more times of day, ensuring transit riders are better able to get where they need to go. Voters in the Pierce Transit service area will have the opportunity to vote on it in the November 3, 2026, general election.
Why Does Pierce Transit Need More Funding?
Pierce Transit currently has the lowest local sales tax rate among comparable Washington State transit agencies. At 0.6%, it is funded at roughly half the rate of peers like Community Transit in Snohomish County (1.2%) and Intercity Transit in Thurston County (1.2%). As a result, transit service in Pierce County is lacking. Only two buses run every 15 minutes most of the day. The rest of the routes run infrequently and stop running early in the evening. And too many bus stops lack shelter or adequate lighting.
For many people, public transit is the difference between reaching a job, a medical appointment, or the grocery store and not reaching it at all. Lacking adequate service, riders with disabilities, older adults, and working families suffer. They waste hours waiting for the bus and miss opportunities. No one should have to work twice as hard to live their life just because they can’t drive. This measure would fix that.
What Will Pierce Transit Proposition 1 Deliver?
Pierce Transit Proposition 1 would:
- Increase bus service by 47%. This would fundamentally change what it’s like to get around by public transit in Pierce County.
- Make transit free for seniors. Many seniors are on a fixed income and eventually age out of driving. More accessible public transit would help seniors age with grace and live more independently. This proposal would also keep transit free for youth.
- End hourly waits for bus routes on weekdays. Buses would run more often on 23 routes.
- Extend service to 10 pm on weekdays. 23 buses that currently end at 8 pm would run until 10 pm on weekdays. 4 buses would run until midnight.
- Create 4 new bus routes. The routes would serve neighborhoods without service today, such as Northeast Tacoma, the Port of Tacoma, East Tacoma, and Puyallup.
- Launch new connections to light rail. Service would connect to Sound Transit’s new light rail stations at Tacoma Dome, Portland Avenue, and Fife.
- Expand paratransit to new neighborhoods. Seniors and people with disabilities in Puyallup and Northeast Tacoma would finally have paratransit service.
Learn more about the measure from Pierce Transit at https://ballot.piercetransit.org/
What Happens if Pierce Transit Proposition 1 Doesn’t Pass?
Pierce Transit is facing a financial cliff in the early 2030s. Without new revenue, the agency would need to begin evaluating service reductions to maintain a balanced budget — meaning fewer routes, lower frequency, and shorter hours for the riders who depend on the system most. Pierce County would continue falling further behind neighboring regions that have invested more in transit.
Has a Similar Measure Been Tried Before?
Pierce Transit asked voters to approve additional local funding in both 2011 and 2012. The 2011 measure would have authorized Pierce Transit to levy its remaining 0.3% sales tax authority. Voters rejected the proposition, which received about 46% of the vote. As a result, Pierce Transit implemented a service reduction of about 35% in 2011 as sales tax revenues declined.
A second measure in 2012 also failed by just 600 votes. Again, Pierce Transit had to make cuts.
Who Is Supporting Pierce Transit Proposition 1?
Pierce Transit Proposition 1 is endorsed by labor and business groups like the Pierce County Central Labor Council, SEIU 775, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. It’s also supported by transportation and environmental advocates, like Transportation Choices Coalition and the Washington State chapter of the Sierra Club.
Elected officials who support the measure include Washington State Representative (and chair of the House Transportation Committee) Jake Fey, Washington State House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Pierce County Councilmember Robyn Denson, Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen, Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen, and more.
How Should I Vote on Pierce Transit Proposition 1?
You should vote YES on Pierce Transit Proposition 1. Your YES vote will ensure Pierce Transit can meet the demands of a growing population with bus service that goes more places, more often. It will increase service by 47%, make transit free for seniors, add four new routes, and expand paratransit service to support seniors and people with disabilities.
How Can I Get Involved?
We’ve seen similar measures fail in 2011 and 2012. To win in 2026, we need people out spreading the word about what Pierce Transit Proposition 1 will mean for transit riders in Pierce County. To get involved, go to KeepPierceMoving.org/getinvolved.
You can also donate to support the campaign here.
