Pierce Transit outlines scaled Destination 2045 plan, proposes more frequent service and later hours for Milton routes

Pierce Transit officials told the Milton City Council on July 21 that a second draft of the agency’s Destination 2045 long-range plan narrows earlier, more-aspirational proposals so the plan can be implemented with realistic funding.

The revised draft, presented by Andrew Arness, assistant manager for service planning at Pierce Transit, lays out a baseline that Pierce Transit says is achievable with existing revenue — principally the agency’s 0.6% sales-tax levy — and two larger growth scenarios that would require voter approval of a higher sales tax or a change in state law.

"The feedback that we did receive on the first draft of the plan was just for more service in general," Arness said, summarizing public input gathered during more than 65 outreach events and a survey with more than 700 responses. He said about 75% of respondents were current Pierce Transit riders.

Why it matters: Milton is served by Pierce Transit routes 501 and 402. Under the draft’s baseline scenario, Pierce Transit would increase annual service hours from roughly…