By Kirk Kirkland
Our freeways are jammed every evening, and expanding freeway lanes is simply no longer viable. Transportation options in counties along Puget Sound have reached a critical tipping point.
With freeways and bridges operating at full capacity, putting more people on buses is the most effective way to transport Pierce County residents to their jobs in Seattle and Olympia.
Over 40% of workers leave Pierce County every day to commute to adjacent counties. With parts of Spanaway and Frederickson seeing as many as 50% of their residents commuting out of the area. These communities are expecting significant housing growth over the next decade, making Transit-Oriented Development essential for managing future transportation demands.
To expand bus service, we need an equitable, shared funding mechanism. That is why Pierce Transit is proposing a sales tax rather than relying on car tabs or property taxes. A sales tax ensures that the cost is shared by everyone who shops in the county, including visitors and out-of-area travelers.
Ballots arrived in mailboxes this week, giving voters the opportunity to decide whether Pierce County gets more frequent buses, new routes, and free rides for students and seniors. Proposition 1 focuses on expanding bus service directly in our neighborhoods.
Bus riders who rely on transit the most—including seniors and students—will ride for free. But how do car commuters stuck in freeway traffic benefit from expanded bus service?
On average, a single bus carries 17 passengers. That equates to 17 fewer cars and pickup trucks sitting in traffic ahead of you on the freeway. If you dislike being stuck in traffic, supporting expanded bus routes and increased service is a direct way to reduce congestion on your daily commute.
For environmental advocates and cyclists, this vote represents a meaningful climate justice initiative. Using public transit to reduce traffic directly lowers our carbon footprint. Removing cars from the road reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, and ensures a smoother morning commute for everyone.
Vote YES on Proposition 1 to Keep Pierce Moving
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