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Intercity Transit presents May 2026 redesign to expand frequent service; zero‑fare pilot extended
Summary
Intercity Transit staff told the Olympia City Council Dec. 2 that a May 2026 system redesign—branded “Next Stop”—will add corridor investments, overlapping routes to create shared 15‑minute frequency in places and new service to neighborhoods including Black Lake Boulevard and Henderson; the agency extended its zero‑fare pilot through 2028 and will begin rider outreach and schedule release ahead of the rollout.
Intercity Transit on Dec. 2 briefed the Olympia City Council on a planned system redesign set for May 2026 that the agency says will expand service on key corridors, improve connectivity to schools and the state capitol, and make more one‑seat rides available for transit‑dependent riders.
The redesign, presented by Nick Demaris of Intercity Transit and introduced to council by Olympia Transportation Director Sophie Stinson, updates work promised in Proposition 1 (approved by voters in 2018). Stinson summarized the local goals: “Expanded transit service helps us meet our reduced emissions and vehicle miles traveled reduction goals,” and agency staff emphasized equity and access as central aims.
Demaris outlined three design principles—invest in corridors, improve connectivity to institutions (high schools, SPSCC, Evergreen) and expand access—and presented operational tools intended to deliver more frequency without a proportional increase in fleet size. One technique, “shared frequency,” runs multiple routes with overlapping segments so riders see shorter headways where demand is concentrated (Intercity Transit used College Street as an example of creating an effective 15‑minute frequency via overlapping routes). Another, described as “inner lines,” sequences Route segments so a single bus can serve different route numbers over the course of a trip while preserving direct rides to destinations such as Evergreen.
Staff said the plan includes new service to Black Lake Boulevard, added connections into parts of Tumwater, and service on Henderson to improve access to Watershed Park. Demaris acknowledged community concern about retiring familiar route numbers—most notably the 41—but said the redesign preserves direct downtown‑to‑Evergreen service through inner‑line routing even if route numbers change.
Intercity Transit said the board will consider formal adoption of the service change the day after the council meeting, with stop‑level schedules and a preview trip planner to be released in the coming weeks. Outreach and rider education—including partnerships with school districts, youth peer marketing, transit ambassadors, volunteers who ride with new customers, and travel trainers—are planned for the months before and after implementation.
The agency extended its zero‑fare pilot through 2028; Demaris said the board will make longer‑term fare decisions later. He also urged patience for performance monitoring: ridership and other data will be reviewed continuously, and staff said adjustments will be made if parts of the redesign do not meet expectations.
If the board adopts the changes, the next procedural steps are publication of schedules and stop‑level information, a public education campaign at the start of the year, and activation of the redesigned network in May 2026.
