South Sound Connected

On this episode of South Sound Connected, we learn about the Pierce Transit ballot measure, Proposition 1, going before voters on November 3rd. Our guests are Chelsea and Dezra who worked for the past year gathering public input to help shape the plan, and who are now helping educate the public on it. We’ll also learn what services would be maintained and which would be expanded as part of the proposed measure. More information on Prop 1 can be found at ballot.PierceTransit.org.

It's the Summer of Soccer, and Pierce Transit is kicking it off with special event service. The Fan Zone Express is a circulator providing free rides to our local Fan Zone hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We’ll hear from some fans using the service, and from Pierce Transit staff who worked for months on coordination, planning and logistics.

Each April, Pierce Transit employees participate in Take Your Child to Work Day. This event gives children and teens the opportunity to see what "work life" is like for their family member, and perhaps consider a career in transit themselves. The activities and interactions make a positive impact on kids and adults alike, as you will hear in this episode.

On this episode of South Sound Connected, we talk with Michelle and Karli about the services offered by the Hardship Assistance Response Team (HART). This program, in partnership with Pierce County and MultiCare, provides assistance to those in crisis at or near Pierce Transit facilities in our service area.

To help kick off Women's History Month, in this episode of South Sound Connected we talk with four women who work in the trades at Pierce Transit –  Phoebe, Aubrey, Sharon and Riley – about thriving in a male-dominated workforce. 

In this episode, we talk with Julie, Lead CSR for Fixed Route, who has firsthand knowledge of Pierce Transit’s lost and found process. Then we head over to 2nd Cycle Community Cycle Center to speak with Leon, Executive Director and Lincoln, Recycle and Reuse Center Manager, about how unclaimed bikes start a new life in our community (and beyond).

This episode highlights the positive role that open communication plays between Operators and Maintenance at Pierce Transit. Chris, Fleet Assistant Manager, and Drea, Transit Operator, demonstrate how sharing ideas and stories benefits the agency and improves employee and customer experience.

On this episode of South Sound Connected, we talk with Dorian, Pierce Transit's ADA Coordinator and Senior Human Resource Analyst, about the Week Without Driving, which is held each autumn to raise awareness of transportation challenges faced by those who don't or can't drive. The Week Without Driving is organized by America Walks and Disability Rights Washington, and is supported by Pierce Transit.

On this episode of South Sound Connected, we talk with Brittany, a Planner at Pierce Transit, about Destination 2045, which is the agency's latest long range plan setting out what services could look like over the next 20 years. Listeners can check out the plan at PierceTransit.org/long-range-plans.

In keeping with our 45th anniversary theme, we speak with Verda, an active community member who has been connected with Pierce Transit since it began in 1980. In this episode of South Sound Connected, we explore the benefits, both obvious and unique, that transit has to offer.