Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority

The meeting featured presentations honoring the Operators of the Month for March and April 2026. The board addressed contract authorizations, specifically increasing contract authority for print and installation of transit branding decals and for unarmed private security services. Furthermore, the meeting included updates from the CEO, the Board Chair, Sound Transit representatives, and the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board, along with staff report reviews.

The meeting focused on a proposed ballot measure to expand transit services within the agency's service area. Key discussion topics included a funding overview, the presentation of a service expansion plan, community feedback themes such as route frequency and improved connections, and an implementation timeline for potential sales tax increases and service enhancements.

This Bus System Recovery Plan outlines a phased implementation strategy for Pierce Transit to restore service to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, responding to community priorities and demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. Key initiatives include implementing Stream Pacific Avenue/State Route 7 High Capacity Transit (HCT) service, replacing low-performing fixed routes with new or expanded on-demand Runner services, and significantly increasing frequency to every 15 minutes on the highest ridership routes (Routes 1, 2, and 3). The plan also prioritizes extending evening service hours until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 8:00 p.m. on Sundays for high-frequency and core routes, along with improving weekday and Saturday frequency to every 30 minutes for core routes, ensuring a more reliable and accessible transit system.

The agenda for the Board of Commissioners meeting included special business such as welcoming a Councilmember and a Mayor to the Board. Key items for presentation included honoring the Operator of the Month for January 2026. The meeting included a public comment period regarding transit-related matters. The executive session was planned to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i). The consent agenda covered the approval of vouchers for January 1-31, 2026, the 2025 Q4 Contracts Report, and a resolution adopting the 2026 Federal Legislative Priorities. Action items included electing primary and alternate transit representatives to the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board for 2026, and authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to retroactively extend the funding for the Pierce County Sheriff's Office contract for law enforcement services for the entirety of 2026. Staff updates involved the CEO's Report and a Strategic Initiatives Update.

The meeting agenda includes preliminary items such as roll call and approval of the December 2025 minutes. Public comment is allotted for transit-related matters. Presentations scheduled cover the Rideshare 2026 Forecast and an overview of the 2025 Outreach and Community Development activities. Discussion items focus on CTAG Member Transit Talk and Committee Reports, followed by Pierce Transit News and Announcements.