Heather Stafford-Smith

This Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Intercity Transit summarizes significant events impacting transit services in Thurston County and outlines projected changes from 2026 through 2031. The plan is structured around eight strategic goals: assessing community transportation needs, delivering outstanding customer service, maintaining a secure operating system, providing responsive transportation options within financial and staffing limits, integrating sustainability, encouraging service utilization, building partnerships for innovative solutions, and fostering agency resiliency. The overarching aim is to fulfill Intercity Transit's mission and vision by enhancing transportation choices and supporting an accessible, sustainable, livable, healthy, and prosperous community.

The committee meeting agenda includes a riders' roundtable for transit service feedback, a review of the 2026-2031 Transit Development Plan, an update on the May 2026 system redesign, and the establishment of a recruitment ad hoc committee for future appointments.

This Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) serves as a new tool to consolidate planning efforts, enhance coordination with the operating budget, and increase visibility into Intercity Transit's long-term capital needs. It is designed to be updated annually, focusing on preserving assets in a state of good repair, protecting capital investments, and minimizing future maintenance and replacement costs. The plan forecasts projects over five years to support long-range financial planning and better manage multi-year initiatives. Key capital project categories include Guideway, Passenger Stations, Administrative Buildings, Maintenance Buildings, Revenue Vehicles, Service Vehicles, Communications and Information Systems, and Other Capital Expenditures. Project prioritization emphasizes system safety, asset maintenance and replacement, leveraging external funding, and supporting system improvements.

The meeting agenda includes a rider's roundtable to discuss transit services and proposed meeting start time changes. New business covers an update on state advocacy activities, a presentation on the Walk N' Roll program's 2025 annual performance, and a review of the draft 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting also features a report from the General Manager regarding federal funding advocacy and general agency updates.

The board discussed the proposed system redesign, specifically focusing on the removal of direct downtown access for Route 41 and the subsequent implementation of the local circulator Route 32. Staff clarified that the changes are tied to regional network interlining and vehicle availability constraints. Additional agenda items included the authorization of an accessibility audit for digital platforms, scheduling a public hearing for the 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program, approving design services for an interim hydrogen fueling project, and renewing a multiyear VMware agreement. The board also received an informational update on the Surplus Van Grant program and the annual achievements of the Walk N' Roll program.