UPDATE: New Schedule and Stops for Temporary Public Transit Between KP and Gig Harbor Until August

A new pilot public transit program that began Nov. 28 to provide free transportation between the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor has updated its service with more frequent return trips and expanded, off-route options.

The service will run six times a day, Monday through Friday, starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Longbranch fire station, with the last run leaving at 2 p.m. and returning at 5:30 p.m. The shuttle will run the same route on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Once the northbound bus arrives at Gig Harbor’s Uptown, it will retrace the route southbound to all of the stops, so riders don’t have to wait so long for their return trip.

In addition, anyone within three-quarters of a mile of the route can schedule a ride from their location to another that is also within three-quarters of a mile of the route. To schedule a ride, call 253-858-7088 (option 1) at least 24 hours in advance.

The Peninsula Pilot Transit Program is a collaborative effort by and among Pierce County, Around the Sound Transportation, and the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce. The new service connects the KP with Pierce Transit and Sound Transit, at least until the pilot ends in August.

“I hope showing excellent ridership for this pilot transportation program will help us build the case that we need permanent transportation services on the Key Peninsula, as well as other unserved areas of unincorporated Gig Harbor,” Pierce County Council Member Robyn Denson (D-7th) told KP News. “Transportation is expensive, but it’s sorely needed in rural areas. … I have worked hard to scrape together funds to do ‘something’ to meet this need.”