Funding Sources
The primary source of revenue for Pierce Transit.
What is sales tax. In the 2026 budget, sales tax accounted for 52% of the operating revenue budget.
The budget type that covers day-to-day expenses like salaries and fuel.
What is operating.
The term for the number of passengers boardings.
What is ridership. In 2025, Pierce Transit provided 7,832,233 rides on all modes excluding Sound Transit service.
True or False: Passenger Fare revenue is a major source of operating funds for Pierce Transit.
False. Passenger fares are approximately 3% of operating revenue budget.
Buying a new bus would be found in which type of budget.
What is capital. Pierce Transit defines capital as over $10,000 per unit or $50,000 for like items and a useful life of greater than one year.
True or False: Peak-hour service usually requires more vehicles than off-peak service.
True. Vehicles Operated at Maximum Service or VOMS for Pierce Transit was 467 in 2025. This includes 142 for Local Fixed Route, 84 for Shuttle, 12 for Runner, and 229 for Rideshare.
Name the federal agency that provides funding for Pierce Transit.
What is the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The FTA awarded over $60M towards capital projects in the 2026 budget.
The typical useful life of a fixed route bus.
What is 16 years. Currently the average age of a fixed route bus at Pierce Transit is 5.43 years. We average 11 buses per year on our replacement schedule.
The term for the time between buses on the same route.
What is frequency.