Steve Vermillion Pat McCarthy Marilyn Strickland Don Anderson Lauren Walker Kent Keel Daryl Eidinger Nancy Henderson Vice-Chair Pierce County Executive Mayor of Tacoma Mayor of Lakewood Tacoma City Council University Place Mayor of Edgewood Steilacoom City Council Puyallup City Council City Council connects communities with safe, A BOARD GUIDES OUR ACTIONS reliable, customer- friendly transit options. Rick Talbert Pierce Transit is governed by a ten-member Board of Commissioners made up of elected officials Chair representing thirteen jurisdictions, Pierce County, and one non-voting union representative (vacant). Pierce County Council Board meetings are held every second Monday of each month at 4:00 pm and are open to the public. 2014 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR – RICK TALBERT Pierce Transit provides an essential public service EVERYONE WHO USES PIERCE TRANSIT HAS In 2014, Pierce Transit began to emerge from a 5-year period of disruptive changes. Some changes were predictable, brought on by the residual effects of an to a population of more economic downturn that impacted every facet of the Agency’s operations. Some were unpredictable – such as the unexpected positive turnaround in sales than 556,000 in a 292 A UNIQUE AND PERSONAL REASON FOR RIDING. tax revenues, the departure of CEO Lynne Griffith for a new opportunity, and the hiring of James L. Walton as the Agency’s Interim CEO. Still others, such as square-mile area. changes in Board composition, and a new approach to service delivery, have been transformative and catalytic – producing the energy and momentum the Agency needed to refocus on what customers care about the most – safety, reliability and frequency. WHO RIDES JULIE ANDERSON | PIERCE COUNTY RESIDENT PIERCE TRANSIT ? Pierce Transit is seeing tangible benefits of early fiscal discipline, internal focus on innovation, and collaboration. • Average age is 34 years old. Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson has been riding the • 39% have no working vehicle. for years and more often than not takes it to work at the Pierce • 62% are ORCA card users. County Annex. Anderson is also a former Pierce Transit and Pierce Transit is seeing tangible benefits of early fiscal discipline, internal focus on innovation, and collaboration. In 2013, the Board emphasized operational • 44% from households with board member and often uses Pierce Transit Routes excellence, financial stability, improved public perception, innovative tailored solutions and service allocations that considered the needs of both high and low annual incomes below $20,000. 3, 11, 51 and 57 to move about the county. Julie likes taking the density parts of our service area. We saw immediately how community involvement, rapid design, and interagency cooperation could improve our service bus because it enables her to be out in the weather, and it forces delivery. The Gig Harbor Trolley and the Puyallup Connector Route 425 are recent successes using this new approach. And, on a smaller scale, in 2014 WHERE ARE her to plan her day intentionally. Choosing to ride the bus has Pierce Transit provided express bus service to the State Fair for the first time in four years. THE RIDERS GOING? enabled Julie to reduce the number of cars in her household. • 30% - work Pierce Transit is 1/3 smaller than we were 5 years ago. However, I can say with confidence that Pierce Transit has weathered the storm of the economic • 22% - school / college recession and come out with greater clarity and commitment to its mission – to connect communities to safe, reliable, customer-friendly transit options. The • 18% - recreation & social activities Board will do its part to support the Agency’s continuing recovery by hiring a CEO who can maintain the momentum we are already experiencing. We’ll keep • 16% - shopping & errands you posted on our progress. • 13% - appointments “On my bus ride home, I use my 15-minute layover between buses to buy groceries for dinner. Pretty slick, huh?”

Services for the MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM CEO – JAMES L. WALTON Whole Community BILL DICKENS | UNIVERSITY PLACE RESIDENT LOCAL & EXPRESS BUS Bill Dickens chooses to take the bus instead of simply getting into I consider it a privilege to be part of the Pierce Transit family during this exciting time of change. So much has 40 Pierce Transit routes his car to go to work at Tacoma Public Utilities. Bill rides the bus been done already by the Board and the previous CEO to stabilize the Agency and set it on a strong foundation • 10,349,186 annual boardings* because it enables him to lower his carbon footprint, it promotes for growth and renewal. I see my role as one of readying the organization for the next level of growth. 12 Sound Transit routes operated his intellectual growth because he can read while riding, and it promotes his physical fitness as he walks to the . Riding Consequently, for the period of time I am leading the Agency as the Interim CEO, my focus will be on the by Pierce Transit the bus saves the Dickens family money by spending less on following areas: organizational readiness, leadership development and external relationships. • 4,564,544 annual boardings* gas and maintenance for their two vehicles. His normal route of As an organization, Pierce Transit will become more agile and flexible. The organizational systems, processes travel is Pierce Transit’s second most used route in the system, and structures that worked well in the past now need to be realigned with our new strategic direction and goals. SHUTTLE the Route 2, and neighborhood routes such as the 52. The Board has set the new course. How we do business must support where we’re going. My goal is to lead A shared-ride service for eligible and support the development of new skill sets and more efficient systems that will enable this Agency to thrive customers who, because of their and grow in this new economy. disabilities, are unable to ride a regular Pierce . Service is “Pierce Transit is a smart low cost way to travel that is good for the environment and for the community.” In addition, every employee must be ready for the individual and personal changes that new ways of working provided within ¾ of a mile of any will require of them. Some of our habits of leading and working must give way to new methods. We must local bus route, during the hours the fixed route bus operates in the area. engage and challenge ourselves and all of our employees. As the Agency recovers, we want to leverage JUSTIN CAMARATA | TACOMA RESIDENT our untapped human potential to achieve long-term and lasting change. • 371,302 annual boardings*

An avid bus rider, Justin’s commute to work in Bellevue begins on Finally, I will focus my energy on strengthening our relationships with the community, transit partners, & RIDESHARE Pierce Transit local Route 14 before connecting at the Tacoma Dome and key stakeholders. This means shoring up resources in those parts of the Agency responsible for improving Rideshare services include , Station to one of Sound Transit’s express buses or Sounder trains. public trust, community relations and customer satisfaction. Although our financial outlook is stable, we need carpools, Park & Ride lots, plus Justin is one of Pierce Transit’s “choice” commuters – choosing to the community and our customers with us as we strive to grow our services, retain our current customers, and workplace transportation programs take the bus to save money, help the environment and avoid the attract new riders who have a choice of transportation options. for more than 161 employers. stress of the morning commute. Justin and his wife often take the

• 926,359 annual vanpool trips* bus around town for date nights, or for rides with their two kids. *2013 Data Justin sees transit as an essential part of any great city. “We all benefit from reduced congestion, increased mobility, and the I am grateful and honored to be part of this effort stronger environment that buses give us.” of exploration, renewal and reinvigoration. piercetransit.org 253.581.8000 “My son often asks to ride the bus even if we have access to the car. He loves it!” LOVE TRAVELS THE DISTANCE COMMITTED TO At age 91, Art Miller boards a Pierce Transit SHUTTLE paratransit van to ALTERNATIVE FUEL visit his 89 year old wife Norma at Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community. Married 68 years, the Millers depend on Pierce Transit to travel the distance • Since 1986, Pierce Transit has to keep the flame of love burning strong. Art says “I love to come visit been transporting customers in my honey” which he does almost daily. Art has used the SHUTTLE for buses powered by compressed mobility and an independent life since 1989. When asked what his most natural gas (CNG). memorable experience on a SHUTTLE trip was, he said “None, each trip is great.”

• The Agency is first in the nation to use renewable natural gas Purdy Connection 144TH 272ND ST (RNG) from a local landfill – VASHON WE ARE BACK! PURDY St Anthony’s the “natural next step.” Hospital ISLAND BORGEN

PEACOCK HILL AVE HILL PEACOCK Pierce Transit was unable to provide event services during the Gig Harbor • 85% of Pierce Transit bus fleet N Shopping Great Recession but now, in 2014, we are financially sustainable Center Puget Sound is powered by RNG. 5 and can bring this important service to the community. In 2014 102 Pierce Transit provided express services to several events including Dash Point • With a Federal Alternative Vashon Ferry NORTHEAST TACOMA the Taste of Tacoma and the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. PIONEER FEDERAL Fuels tax credit - Pierce Transit Federal Way WAY Transit Center 100 Pt Defiance Park e Commons “Experience over the years tells us that the partnership pays only 17¢ per gallon Browns Point at Federal Way NORTHSHORE PKWYNASSAU AVE equivalent of RNG. NORTHSHORE PKWY 324TH between the Washington State Fair and Pierce Transit has SOUNDVIEW 45TH

Olympic 20TH GIG HARBOR RUSTON NORPOINT Pierce Transit been beneficial to residents in Pierce County. There’s a growing Village Meeker Twin 349TH MS 45TH AVE e N 45TH Commencement Bay Lakes 348TH segment of the population that relies on the “Fair Express” bus • Pierce Transit has begun purchasing 11 Park Crossings AUBURN SYSTEM MAP 49TH AVE 21ST AVE SW 62 WEYERHAEUSER WY Library 29TH NE & Ride Shopping N 34TH Center Auburn to quickly and conveniently transport them to the Washington CNG powered SHUTTLE vehicles to BROWNS PT S Federal ENCHANTED PARKWAY 3RD E BLVD Way Park Sounder PARK & RIDE: PEARL TACOMA P

VASSAULT CHEYENNE Station ORCHARD & Ride replace gasoline powered vehicles. Old Town 53RD AVE State Fair each September. We look forward to continuing 16 10 N 30TH 28TH AVE S

PROCTOR A ST E TRANSIT CENTER: Narrows 13 Stadium Wild 501 T to grow the partnership in the years to come.” PT FOSDICK DR N 26TH Bridge TACOMA HS 500 Waves Library N 21ST N I ST DIVISIONSTADIUM WY ROUTE NUMBER: 410 Wilson 497 – Kent Hojem | CEO, Washington State Fair 14 N M ST HS ALDER Tacoma Tideflats

STEVENS P U of General O PARTICIPATING R N 11 Puget Hosp T 6TH AVE O 16 L ORCA RETAILERS: 6TH AVE Sound F PACIFIC HWY S a S 9TH T 509 k Pierce Transit provided service to nearly 40,000 riders, A e FOX ISLAND C FIFE la S 12TH O n 28 M MILTON EDGEWOOD d St Joseph’s A P including 1,108 SHUTTLE trips for individuals with SEE H

MILDRED Hosp PACIFIC HWY EAST i Tacoma Community l

TACID 51 AVE 28TH l DOWNTOWN s College Transit Center 19TH PUYALLUP AVE MAP W disabilities during the 17 day Washington State Fair! 57 Emerald Queen MILTON WY y REGENTS Foss Allenmore 5 27TH HS P

25TH TH AVE YAKIMA UNION Tacoma Dome 501

52 MERIDIAN IMPROVING 102 20TH ST E 54 Tacoma Station LAKELAND HILLS 53 FIRCREST CENTER Lincoln Dome VALLEY 32ND 36TH ST E S 35TH S 35TH HS ROOSEVELT 400 53 E 38TH 504

PIONEER WY 70TH AVE 54 Library 503 SAFETY WITH ORCHARD 40TH W Salishan VALLEY 402 GRANDVIEW

TYLER

PINE STEELE S M ST 44TH Chief SUMNER WARNER AVE CIRQUE DR S 47TH S 48TH Leschi VALLEY AVE Fred UNIVERSITY School RIVER RD Meyer S Tacoma Tacoma MAIN NEW RADIO SYSTEM Sounder PORTLAND PLACE BRIDGEPORT Mall 56 66TH AVE Fred Station Transit 56 TH Fred 167 THOMPSON Sumner Meyer STEWART Center 42 41 Meyer 5TH Sounder MILWAUKEE 66TH MERIDIAN 4TH 29TH Station DSHS 72nd St E MAIN 160TH AVE

Pierce Transit has greatly improved the DR LAKEWOOD Puget Sound Mt Transit Puyallup Sounder Station 409 E MAIN OAKES 410

CANYON RD

THOMPSON quality of radio, public safety and emergency Tahoma SHERIDAN E 72ND Center 409 HS Fred Meyer SE 3RD Western 7TH AVE State 202 512 PUYALLUP CUSTER S TACO MA WY 48 SW 5TH communications throughout the region Hospital YAKIMA Library E 84TH Good Samaritan Hospital Steilacoom HS STEILACOOM BLVD 495 by launching a new single county-wide Library 212 Clover 45 15TH AVE

HOSMER Park Tech STEELE 425 RIGNEY Lakewood 96TH E 96TH 23RD AVE

WALLER RD

Ferry CANYON RD communications system in partnership with 55 MERIDIAN

VICKERY AVE COMMERCIAL Towne Center PACIFIC AVE

MCKINLEY AVE

LEXINGTON PORTLAND AVE

Pierce 40TH Lakewood E 104TH 9TH SW College PARK AVE Benaroya Pierce County in 2014. Pierce Transit shifted Transit 100TH Business Park UNION SEQUALISH Center

LAKEWOOD FRUITLAND AVE Lakes HS St Clare 512 WOODLAND AVE to the system in May. The Pierce County FARWEST STEILACOOM Library Hospital 204 AINSWORTH 112TH E 112TH 39TH AVE Pierce College Clover 116TH 410 Sheriff’s Department and the Gig Harbor, 214 Park Lakewood South Hill Mall WASHINGTON HS Sounder Pacific Transit Center 43RD AVE 10TH Station Lutheran Fircrest, and Roy police departments moved BRIDGEPORT University Parkland 122ND Transit ROUTE TO INDEPENDENCE PACIFIC HWY S NEW YORK PARKLAND Center 128TH ST E MERIDIAN

to the system in October. The quality of the 94TH AVE E TILLICUM 138TH Rogers HS OLD Library system is described as “crystal clear.” VETERANS DR MILITARY RD SOUTH HILL 300 159TH 402 Route 425 Puyallup Connector is a one- “On June 8, Pierce Transit started the Puyallup Connector VA Hospital Franciscan 206 Medical E 160TH 146TH SW Pavilion Walmart E 168TH year demonstration route that connects Demonstration project, a service that has made all the WOODBROOK

BARNES GEM SPANAWAY HEIGHTS Commissary BX The new system was necessitated by new Federal PORTLAND Fred riders to key Puyallup and South Hill PACIFIC AVE difference in the world for many of our residents. Prior 150TH SW E 176TH Meyer SUNRISE BLVD Communications Commission (FCC) requirements BERKELEY to Olympia Winco community destinations including to the beginning of service, Pierce Transit and ORCA 5 that public agencies consolidate their use of radio 5TH JOINT BASE medical, shopping, and recreation. The representatives visited Sunset Garden Apartments, where

8TH AVE DUPONT Madigan Hospital 22ND AVE bandwidth from 25 kHz (wideband) to 12.5 kHz LEWIS-MCCHORD route now serves stops adjacent to the Walmart 111 of our residents purchased an ORCA card. On a return (narrowband) by the end of 2013, and to 6.25 MERIDIAN entrances to Group Health and YMCA. SPANAWAY- visit by Pierce Transit, eighteen more residents signed up. MCKENNA Fred Meyer S 224TH kHz (ultra-narrow) by January 1, 2017. Because 7 Bethel HS This participation represents the single greatest success in of earlier investments, Pierce Transit’s upgraded terms of involvement by our residents. radio system met the FCC’s 2013 requirements, OPERATING REVENUES FOR PIERCE TRANSIT SERVICE: ANNUAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS: but needed additional enhancements to meet the FINANCIAL STABILITY SHAG recently teamed with Mel Korum Family YMCA to 2017 requirements. offer memberships for our residents at a drastically reduced $80 Actual After the Great Recession devastated revenues, 70% Sales Tax rate, so residents can enjoy door-to-door transportation as Through a cooperative governance agreement, Pierce Transit is finally experiencing a gradual $75 13% Fares Budget they exercise to extend their independence. That initiative the savings to Pierce Transit and Pierce County increase in sales tax collections, which accounts 11% Grants $70 Forecast would not have been possible without access to derived from sharing the maintenance and for 70% of the Agency’s operating revenues. As of Nov 2014 Pierce Transit’s Route 425 Puyallup Connector.” operating costs means public dollars can be Because of the gradual growth, the Agency is 5% Other $65 1% Advertising Millions directed into service, capital improvements financially sustainable in the 6 year outlook. $60 – Ron Gintz | Campus Community Manager and other pressing priorities. Sunset Garden Apartments–SHAG $55

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