Snow Detours

Riding Intercity Transit in a snow storm

When the weather turns bad, many people ride Intercity Transit so they don't have to hassle with driving or worry about getting stuck. If you plan to take the bus during a snow storm, here's what you need to know.

Where to get service information

Conditions can change quickly. Before you leave, get the latest updates on snow routes by:

Checking the service alerts page on this Web site;

Checking local radio stations;

    KGY 1240 AM
    KGY 96.9 FM
    KRXY 94.5 FM
    KXXO 96.1 FM

Checking The Olympian at www.theolympian.com; or

Calling Customer Service at 360-786-1881 (please be patient, phone lines are busy during inclement weather).

Riding the bus: what to expect

Intercity Transit buses will follow their normal routes as long as the streets are safe for bus travel. If the streets and roads are not safe for bus travel, buses will use snow routes. That means your bus may not serve parts of its route that are hilly or too dangerous to drive on. We'll post details on this Web site as we learn of route changes.

You can check our route maps to find the routes that typically have snow detours (see the Transit Guide or go to the Maps and Schedules pages on this Web site). If your route has a standard snow detour, the map will have a snowflake icon in the map key. You can also see a list of snow routes by scrolling down this page.

Dress warmly and expect delays

Road conditions affect all traffic, so buses may experience significant delays. Chained buses cannot travel more than 25 mph, so they may be delayed. However, they should still arrive at regular intervals. To be safe, please dress warmly.

Riding tips

If there's no traffic going by your bus stop, walk to a stop on a busy street.
If your bus stop is in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom where the Operator can safely stop.
Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Keep in mind your bus may not pull all the way over to the curb, to avoid getting stuck.

Will accessible services be available in snowy conditions?

Wheelchair lifts may not operate in freezing temperatures and snow and ice at bus stops can make boarding unsafe.

Dial-A-Lift will continue to operate except in areas where we determine it to be unsafe.For information, call 360-754-9393.

Routes on county roads may be delayed or cancelled.Call Customer Service for information.

Snow routes

The routes listed below may be affected by severe weather.

Route 41

If the dorm loop is closed, the bus will turn left from Overhulse and continue to the library loop.

Route 43

If Lakeridge Drive is closed, the bus will serve SPSCC, the Thurston County Courthouse and vicinity via I-5 and Highway 101. If Barnes Boulevard over Tumwater Hill is impassable, the bus will follow the alternative routing shown between SPSCC and Tumwater Square. If the Crosby entrance to SPSCC i s closed, the bus will serve SPSCC from Mottman Road only.

Route 44

If Lakeridge Drive is closed, the bus will serve SPSCC, Evergreen Park Drive, and vicinity by way of I-5 and Highway 101 before continuing to Westfield Shoppingtown. If the Crosby Boulevard entrance to SPSCC is closed the bus will use serve SPSCC from Mottman Road only.

Route 45

If Garfield Hill between Rogers and Perry is unsafe, the bus will travel along Rogers to Harrison and on to downtown.

Route 47

The bus will use Harrison and Percival instead of 4^th to travel to the Westside.

Route 60

The bus will bypass Legion Way between Eastside and Fir by using State and 4^th.

Route 64

If Union Avenue is unsafe, the bus will bypass Union between Central and Boulevard by using State, 4^th, and Pacific.