Pierce Transit Expands Microtransit to Midland, Parkland, and Spanaway, WA, 2022

Pierce Transit is expanding its microtransit service, Runner, to Midland, Parkland, and Spanaway communities. This expansion service, called Spanaway Runner, allows transit customers to request shared point-to-point rides seven days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM. Customers can book their rides through the Goin’ smartphone app or by calling a hotline. Single rides have a standard fare of $2, the same as a fixed-route bus ride on Pierce Transit. The vehicles are wheelchair accessible but have no fareboxes. Therefore, customers must pay their fares using Pierce Transit’s mobile app or showing the Runner driver their ORCA card or paper All Day Pass.

Pierce Transit already operates the Runner along Ruston Way in Tacoma, the Tideflats area of Tacoma, and the area surrounding the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base. The zone for Spanaway Runner has limited fixed-route transit options, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. With this expansion, residents and visitors in Midland, Parkland, and Spanaway will be able to access important amenities while also being able to connect to fixed-route transit at different transit centers. A new transit center will also open in Spanaway in 2023, improving the Runner’s ability to serve as a first- and last-mile service. Microtransit is often an effective mobility service for lower-density areas, and Spanaway Runner can hopefully meet the need of people in this area of Pierce County.

Last updated September 15, 2022