Intercity Transit looking for people to comment on upcoming route changes

Intercity Transit wants people to weigh in on planned service changes, which go into effect on Sept. 7. 

The changes include the addition of two new routes to Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as the discontinuation of Route 620 or the Olympia/Lakewood Express. 

The Intercity Transit Authority, the agency’s board of directors, held a public hearing about the planned changes on Wednesday, July 16, but drew no participants. 

The hearing also served to seek comments about an equity analysis that was conducted to determine the impacts of the changes on minority and low-income riders. 

Before the hearing, Planning Deputy Director of Intercity Transit Rob LaFontaine, said the agency did receive nine comments since the public comment period opened, but none of them directly addressed the service changes and equity analysis.   

LaFontaine said the situation was concerning as issues about commuter service tend to get a lot of comments. His presentation indicated that since 2013, 40 percent of the comments they regularly get relate to commuter service.  

He said the agency will continue to accept comments through Aug. 6, which is when the authority is scheduled to approve the changes.  

Two new routes 

The two new routes, 600 and 610 are replacing Route 620, which goes from Olympia to Lakewood, with notable stops at Lacey Transit Center, Martin Way Park & Ride and Lakewood Station before ending at SR-512 Park & Ride in Lakewood. 

Route 600 will be a more direct route to Lakewood, skipping the Lacey Transit Center stop. It will be available on weekdays only, similar to the existing route. 

Route 610 will be a longer route to Lakewood with diversions at Lacey Transit Center, Hawks Prairie Park & Ride and Madigan Gate at Berkeley Street in Tacoma. Pierce Transit will offer connecting rides to Joint Base Lewis-McChord from Madigan Gate. The route will be available every day. 

The route is going to be financially supported by a pending grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation.   

According to documents prepared for the meeting, the equity analysis found the adverse effects of the planned changes would be neutral, as there would be no reduction in services.