Pierce Transit presents fiscally grounded long‑range plan, outlines funding scenarios

Pierce Transit outlined its updated long‑range plan, Destination 2045, to the Auburn City Council on July 28, saying the update emphasizes financial realism and identifies service changes possible at several funding levels. The agency described a baseline funded by its current 0.6% sales tax and two higher funding scenarios tied to higher sales‑tax rates that would add service and extend hours. The presentation matters to Auburn because Pierce Transit serves parts of Pierce County that connect to major corridors and regional rail; the plan frames tradeoffs between maintaining current service and expanding frequency, span and coverage. Pierce Transit said it conducted “65 outreach events” and received “over 700 responses” to its survey to inform the plan. Pierce Transit told the council that the plan’s baseline is built from a long‑range financial forecast intended to be feasible under current revenue. “We’re currently at about 470,000 local bus service hours,” the presenter said, and at the present funding level the agency could potentially increase to “482,000 service hours.” The agency said roughly 80–85% of its operating revenue comes from local sales tax, with fares and grants making up the balance. State law was described as allowing a sales‑tax rate up to 0.9% without additional approval; the presenter said Pierce Transit could consider rates as high as 1.1% or 1.2% in other scenarios. Under the baseline scenario, Pierce Transit said it would direct modest additional hours to high‑performing routes, including Route 1 and Route 3. The agency said that at 0.9% sales tax it could increase service by about 24% compared with baseline and add earlier and later trips; at 1.1% it could add four new routes that would serve roughly 107,000 people in the system area and aim to provide 15‑minute weekday frequency on the highest‑ridership corridors. Council members asked about service for late shifts and weekend span. Council member Amanda Baldwin pressed Pierce Transit to consider later evening trips for second‑shift hospitality workers, saying employers commonly run 7 a.m.–3 p.m., 3 p.m.–11 p.m. and 11 p.m.–7 a.m. shifts and urging later return trips for riders working the 3–11 p.m. shift. The presenter said extending hours to meet those needs is a component of the higher‑funding scenarios and will be part of community conversations. Pierce Transit said recruitment and retention of mechanics and operators affect how quickly service can be restored or expanded and invited Auburn residents to apply for driver and mechanic positions. The agency said the board will finalize public comment and could vote on the plan this summer; staff invited council and constituents to an open online comment period. The presentation supplied staff direction and public outreach steps, but no council action or vote occurred. Staff said the plan itself does not establish new taxes or service levels; those would require future board decisions and, where applicable, voter or state approvals.