Thanks for your patience . . .

WOW! The past week has been a whirl-wind! We’ve operated on some, or all, of our “severe weather” detours since last Wednesday and we are just about back to normal service . . . WOO HOO!  First we had to deal with snow, then downed power lines, branches and even trees, and then ice!  Hopefully, we will resume regular service and it will stay that way for a while.

After the big 2008 snow storm (the first time we’ve chained-up the buses!), we created a Severe Weather Service Plan – and we actually got to give it a test this past week. The purpose was to have a plan in place that allowed us to provide as much service as possible to our community and still focus on keeping our riders and staff safe.

After everything settles down, we will conduct an internal “debrief” to talk about what went well and what we could improve. If you have any observations or suggestions – please leave a comment!  We want to provide the best service possible.

 

Dash Service Change Begins January 9

Beginning Monday (January 9) DASH, the FREE, downtown Olympia  shuttle  operates weekdays every 12-15 minutes from 7 am – 6 pm.  The shuttle operates more frequently, every 12 minutes, from 9 am -5 pm and every 15 minutes during the other hours of operation.  This schedule continues through March 9, 2012 to accommodate heavier use during Legislative session.

If you’re looking for parking to use the Dash shuttle, you can park at the Farmers Market lot (at the north end of Capitol Way) January - March for $1.50/hour. This is available thanks to our partnership with the Market District Association and the Port of Olympia. Parking is also available at various locations along the route.

Dash Saturday service resumes April 7 in conjunction with the opening of the Olympia Farmers Market.

 

Better Get Ready for Winter Weather – it’s Comin’!

Who really knows what this winter will bring, but you might as well get prepared. If driving in bad weather stresses you out – take the bus! Our buses keep running – even in bad weather. If you already ride the bus – why not tell your family and friends to join you?

Get prepared for winter weather ahead of time by checking out our snow detour routes online or in the Transit Guide. For service updates during winter weather visit our Web site, check our facebook page, follow us on twitter, or tune into local radio stations. Reminder: If you call Customer Service it may take us a bit longer to assist you due to the increased number of calls. We appreciate your patience!

Even if your bus is not on detour, it may be delayed. Use our real-time bus arrival tool, OneBusAway, to find out when your bus will arrive. (Please note: OneBusAway does not work if your bus is on detour.)

Here are a few other reminders:

• Dress warm and be patient. You may have to wait longer or walk a bit further to catch your bus if it’s on detour.
• If there’s no traffic going by your bus stop, walk to a stop on a busy street.
• If your bus stop is located in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom where the bus can safely stop.
• Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop.

Proposed 2012 Budget Public Hearing November 16

Now through November 16 you can provide comment on our draft 2012 budget. We will hold a public hearing November 16 at 5:30 pm in the board room of our business office. Visit our Web site for all the details.

If you can’t make it to the public hearing, you can also provide comment by calling: 360-705-5852, e-mailing: tellus@intercitytransit.com, or mailing: Intercity Transit, P.O. Box 659,  OIympia, WA 98507.

Make sure to get your comments in by 4 pm November 16 so they can be considered.

We want to hear from you!

We like to know what our riders and community think! We have three opportunities in November for you to provide input: two public hearings November 2 and one November 16. We will hold the hearings at our business office (526 Pattison Street, Olympia). You can hop on the bus to get there… take route 62A, 62B, or 66.

You can get materials for each hearing topic on our Web site, Customer Service at the Olympia Transit Center (222 State Avenue, Olympia), our business office, or by calling 360-786-8585. Check the information below for the date the materials for each hearing topic will be available.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Wednesday, November 2, 5:30 pm:

• Strategic Plan Update
The Strategic Plan is the master planning document for our agency’s operations and service delivery. The plan, updated annually, identifies service and resource priorities for the next 6 years (2012-2017).

Materials will be available Friday, October 21. Strategic Plan materials will also be available at local Timberland libraries (for reference only).

• Olympia Express Monthly Pass
We are considering adding two new Olympia Express monthly passes ($75 full and $37.50 reduced). The passes will go into effect on January 1, 2012, and we will no longer accept the One Regional Card for All (ORCA).

The passes are being considered due to on-going uncertainty of when ORCA can be implemented on Olympia Express service.

Materials will be available Friday, October 21.

Wednesday, November 16, 5:30 pm:

• Proposed 2012 Budget
You can get proposed budget materials beginning Friday, November 4.

If you can’t make it to the public hearings, you can also provide comment by calling: 360-705-5852, e-mailing: tellus@intercitytransit.com, or mailing: Intercity Transit, P.O. Box 659,  OIympia, WA 98507.

Make sure to get your comments in by 4 pm on the day of the public hearing so they can be considered.

Late-Night Weekend Service Resumes Friday

The Evergreen State College has continued its contract with us (Intercity Transit) to operate late-night weekend service “Nightline.” The service will resume this Friday (September 23) and operates on Friday and Saturday nights until 3:30 am and Sundays until midnight. Nightline basically operates on the same routing as Route 41 between downtown Olympia and The Evergreen State College.

Even though Evergreen pays for Nightline, anyone can ride - you’ll just have to pay the regular bus fare. (Current Evergreen students don’t have to pay a fare  as long as they have a student ID with a current term sticker.)

If you live near Route 41 – this is perfect for getting home if you’re out late in downtown Olympia on the weekends. No worries about driving!!

If you want to get more information call the Greener Commuting Program at 360-867-5359, visit evergreen.edu/commute, or contact Intercity Transit Customer Service.

Service Revisions Begin October 2

Beginning Sunday, October 2, we will have service changes on three of our local routes and weekday Olympia Express service. Here’s what to expect:

Local Routes:

Route 60 (Lilly Road Medical Centers/Panorama City – Olympia) Weekdays
Schedule: Reduced weekday service on 12th Street. Buses will serve St. Francis House
between 10:47 am and 2:47 pm.
Route: Will operate along Martin Way instead of Pacific Avenue between Sleater Kinney Road and Lilly Road. (See map on right.)

Route 62B (Lacey/Meadows – Olympia) Weekdays and Saturdays
Schedule: Minor revisions for the Martin Way and Marvin Road stop at Grocery Outlet.

Dash Shuttle (Downtown Olympia) Weekdays and Saturdays
Schedule:
* Weekday service hours reduced to 7:10 am – 6:20 pm, operating every 15 minutes.
* Saturday service discontinued during winter months and will resume in spring 2012.

Olympia Express:

Route 605 (Olympia/Lacey – Lakewood/Tacoma) Weekdays
Trips serving Woodland Square in Lacey renumbered Route 612.
Schedule:
Northbound
* 4:35 pm Lacey Transit Center trip will begin at the Olympia Transit Center departing at 4:15 pm and renumbered Route 612.
Southbound
* 6:50 am Tacoma departure renumbered Route 612.
* 5:50 pm Tacoma departure added.
* 6:00 pm Tacoma departure will leave at 6:10 pm.

Route 612 (Olympia/Lacey – Lakewood/Tacoma) Weekdays
Route 605 trips serving Woodland Square in Lacey renumbered Route 612. See Route 605 above.

Note: Pierce Transit’s Olympia Express Routes 601 and 602 eliminated due to service reductions.

Woo hoo! Ride the Bus to School!

Back to school is, literally, just around the corner and you’re probably thinking about how your kids (or you) will get there. Did you know in 1968, 48% of children ages 5-14 walked or biked to school? In 2009,  it was only 13% (according to National Safe Routes to School Data)!  (If you’re like me - I walked 10 miles, uphill, in the snow . . . you know the rest of the story!) 

Maybe things aren’t like they used to be – but, we’re trying to change that! Our Smart Moves Youth Education Programs encourages students to walk, bike, and ride the bus more.

If taking the school bus isn’t an option – check out our routes. We serve most of the schools in our area. You can get a youth monthly pass (ages 6-18) for just $15 -  much less than a tank of gas these days!!  And, it’s good for unlimited rides for the entire month.

If you’re not even sure how to ride our buses (paying the fare, knowing where to get off the bus, how to read the bus schedule, etc.), that’s no problem!  We have a person (travel trainer) who will show you everything about using our system and the training won’t cost you anything! You can contact her at traveltraining@intercitytransit.com or 360-705-5879.

If you need help planning your trip – visit our homepage and use the online trip planner. Or . . . just give us a call (360-786-1881).  We’re here to help.

 

Vans Available to Community Organizations

This year, our Surplus Van Grant Program has up to four 8- or 12-passenger vans available to eligible local oganizations through a grant application process to enhance transportation service to Thurston County residents. These retired vans have completed their lifecycle (with Intercity Transit) and would normally be sold at auction. Instead, we award them to community agencies serving clients in the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm areas.

We invite interested applicants to attend a  voluntary pre-application workshop: 

                                             Friday, August 19, 2011
                                             1:00pm to 3:30pm                 
                                                                  or 
                                             Thursday, August 25, 2011 
                                             10:00am to 11:30am

The workshops will be held at the Intercity Transit board room (526 Pattison SE, Olympia). The workshops provide an opportunity to ask questions about the application process, selection criteria, and van maintenance, mileage and upkeep. Several of the vans will be available for inspection.

Grant applications will be available at the workshops, on our Web site, and by calling 360-786-8585. The  application packet provides specific details on the application process and schedule.Completed applications are due by 4 pm Friday, September 16, 2011. Only one vehicle will be awarded per organization. We anticipates awarding the vans in October.

For more information about the Surplus Van Grant Program, contact CarolynNewsome at 360-705-5829 or cnewsome@intercitytransit.com.

What’s a Vanpool?

What’s a Vanpool? This may seem like a silly question to you but, many people see our vanpool vans on the road and wonder! A vanpool is five or more people with similar commutes sharing the ride to work. They’re saving money, not stressing about traffic, and helping the environment.

Here’s how it works: Intercity Transit provides the van, and passengers pay a low monthly fare that covers the cost of operating the van including gas, maintenance, and insurance. Some employers even help cover the fare.

If you’re looking to save some cash on your commute or just want to relieve yourself of some of the stress of driving but you’re not sure if vanpooling works for you . . . Try it for a week – on us!  We even have a vanpool promotion where you can earn cash rewards and other incentives. Our Vanpool Services staff will even help you find other people with similar commutes to help you get started.

Maybe vanpooling’s not for you… do you know someone else who could benefit from vanpooling? Let them know, too!

Contact Vanpool Services at vans@intercitytransit.com, 360.786.8800, or 1.866.330.7033 for more details.