Intercity Transit to receive federal funding to renovate bus stops

Intercity Transit will be receiving $1,825,950 in federal grant funding to renovate 145 bus stops, the agency announced on Tuesday, April 11.

“We are working with our community partners to make our bus stops more accessible to those who cannot or choose not to drive. Improving bus stops to make them more accessible is one of the many ways we are working to do this,” shared Nicky Upson, Senior Marketing, Communications and Outreach Coordinator of Intercity Transit.

According to a press release from the office of U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland, the renovation involves changes in the bus stop designs to improve accessibility to both front and rear bus doors. Intercity Transit’s Communications and Outreach Coordinator Nicky Upson told The JOLT that future enhancements could also include more complicated designs such as bulb-outs, which are curb extensions that allow passengers to board and disembark without the bus leaving the travel lane.

Upson stated that chosen corridors for the renovated bus stops serve the most diverse communities in the region. Upson mentioned that they are also focusing on connecting bus stops to existing sidewalk networks.

The design changes will also include all-door access that allows passengers to board and disembark using the front and rear doors. “Since Intercity Transit has moved to a fare-free service, passengers can now board and disembark from both doors. This speeds up service and increases efficiency,” Upson shared.

The agency highlighted that they had three goals with the renovation project:

• To increase the use of public transportation
• To increase transit operating efficacy
• To support ongoing efforts of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater in transforming old highway corridors.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland secured the funding as part of the 2023 omnibus spending bill Intercity Transit’s Interim General Manager Emily Bergkamp expressed that she was grateful for Strickland’s support.