Intercity Transit outlines May 2026 system redesign, proposes Henderson Boulevard route and 'BRT‑lite' backbone

Intercity Transit representatives told the Tumwater City Council on Nov. 25 that the agency’s Phase 3 system redesign is slated to take effect in May 2026 and will include a high‑frequency backbone and new service to parts of Tumwater.

The presentation, introduced by Associate Planner Donna Bowers, was led by Rob Lafontaine and Intercity Transit staff. They said the redesign grows out of the sales‑tax measure approved in 2018 and subsequent community outreach, and follows two earlier implementation steps in May and September 2025. "Phase 3 is up next, slated for May 2026," the presenter said during the briefing.

Why this matters: officials and transit staff said the redesign aims to increase the number of one‑seat rides across town, improve frequency on key corridors and expand paratransit coverage. Tumwater residents would see new fixed‑route service on Henderson Boulevard and modifications to Old Highway 99; staff said changes should preserve four buses per hour at many Capitol Boulevard stops while reallocating some Route 13 service to additional destinations.

Key details: Intercity Transit described nine improvement elements tied to the 2018 proposition, including span and frequency increases, service to new areas, on‑time performance work, bus‑stop and capital upgrades, and fare‑collection efficiencies. The agency plans a frequent "9x" route (15‑minute all‑day service) as the backbone and multiple interlined routes so a passenger on Capitol Boulevard would still see about four buses an hour even if some buses go to different termini.

Paratransit and equity: staff explained that fixed‑route additions create a three‑quarter‑mile buffer that expands eligibility for the ADA dial‑a‑lift service; they said this expansion will add significant paratransit access in neighborhoods near Henderson Boulevard and Trails End. Presenters emphasized student mobility as a major design factor and said bringing service closer to Black Hills High School was a priority.

Fare policy and operations: the presentation reaffirmed the agency’s zero‑fare pilot (described in the briefing as continuing through 2028). Staff said zero‑fare improves on‑time performance and reduces driver confrontations over fares; they also described a transit‑ambassador program that helps riders navigate transfers. The presenters reported ridership approaching 5,000,000 annual rides.

Funding and fleet: staff described the agency’s funding mix (local sales tax plus about 30–40% from state and federal grants) and noted both vulnerability to state/federal funding shifts and one‑time grant awards. The transcript records a federal bus‑and‑bus‑facility grant described as "5,339" to replace 16 coaches over two years; the presentation did not provide a clear dollar figure in the record and the amount is noted here as stated in the briefing.

Implementation scale and next steps: staff said the redesign will require more than 100 new or upgraded bus stops, extensive operator retraining (staff cited roughly 350 operators to be retrained), and technology changes; they set an internal target effective date of May 3, 2026 and said the Intercity Transit board will consider final action in coming weeks. Staff encouraged ongoing public information on the project website while the agency finalizes the plan.

Quotes: "We’re excited to be the back end of the conversation talking about expansion of transit service here in the community," a transit presenter said. "That kind of prompts the shake ups, if you will, the redesign of the rest of the bus routes." Council members praised outreach and emphasized the need to measure ridership gains.

What’s next: transit staff told the council they are finishing public outreach and expect their board to consider final adoption soon; implementation readiness (stops, vehicles, training and technology) will determine the final effective date.