Intercity Transit continues Dash, a free year-round shuttle service, established to enhance access to and from destinations in downtown Olympia and on the Capitol Campus while easing the demand for limited parking - especially during the legislative session. 

The service, provided on four brightly colored, 30-foot coach vehicles, operates weekdays every twelve minutes between 6:45 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.  Dash provides easy-to-use travel for people working, shopping, visiting or recreating in downtown Olympia. It travels past numerous satellite parking lots, including those on the Capitol Campus and at the Market District. 

Over its first four years of operation, the shuttle has carried more than 430,000 passengers and ridership has jumped 49 percent since 2006. Transit officials report the Dash shuttle closes 2009 with an estimated 125,000 boardings for the year.

A number of local organizations support the Dash service, understanding the benefit it provides.  They include the Washington State Department of General Administration, the Washington State Legislature, the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, the Market District Association, the Olympia Downtown Association and the Olympia-Thurston County Visitor and Convention Bureau. 

“Our downtown businesses love Dash,” states Connie Lorenz, Director of the Olympia Downtown Association. “The service helps state workers and legislators conduct business and makes it easy for people to pop downtown for lunch or to run errands without having to mess with parking.” 

The service is a small part of the transportation arsenal Intercity Transit provides to South Sound travelers.  Other award-winning services of the nationally recognized system include: a fixed-route transit system with 15-minute frequency along the area’s major corridors; express service between Olympia, Lacey and Tacoma; vanpool and rideshare services; and specialized van transportation programs. 

For information on the Dash shuttle or other local public transportation services, contact Intercity Transit Customer Service at 360.786.1881 or www.intercitytransit.com.