Why is Intercity Transit redesigning its bus system?
With the passage of Intercity Transit Proposition 1 in November 2018, our community voted to support a “transformational system” that responds to our community’s changing needs. After hearing from thousands of residents, the agency designed a system that reduces out of direction travel, redistributes resources to provide services to new areas, and connects people to schools, jobs, and key destinations. These changes are designed to ensure public transit keeps up with growth and more equitably serves our Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA).
When will the redesign take place?
The system redesign goes into effect on May 3, 2026.
When will I be able to learn more about the routes?
Since adoption of the system redesign on Dec. 3, 2025, our planning team has finalized schedules and determined stop locations. Schedules and maps are available on our website. We also have schedules that can be downloaded and printed directly from our website.
What are the key elements of the new system?
The service change is almost a complete redesign of our bus system. Four existing bus routes (Routes 13, 21, 600, and 610) will remain and 25 new bus routes will begin operation in May 2026. This will increase the number of routes from 20 to 29. Our new frequent corridor service, Route 9X, will provide service between west Olympia and Lacey. Many new routes will provide convenient one-seat rides to nearby high schools, shopping centers, employment centers, and will connect with Route 9X. The new system reduces duplication of existing bus service in some areas and redistributes it elsewhere based on feedback from thousands of residents.
Why are you cutting frequency?
The system redesign reduces frequency on Route 13 from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes. However, combined with other routes that will serve Capitol Way and Capitol Blvd., the corridor will maintain the current frequency of four buses per hour.
Frequency along College St. will improve, with buses running every 15 minutes due to the combined service of Routes 52 and 90. Most other routes will operate on a 30-minute schedule, consistent with the current level of service on most routes.
These adjustments allow the system to maintain reliable service while expanding coverage and ensuring equitable access across the network.
Why are you discontinuing Route 41?
We are replacing Route 41 with Routes 32 and 34. This combination will provide direct service in west Olympia between The Evergreen State College and SPSCC. It will also maintain connections to Harrison Ave. and provide connections to all other routes in west Olympia.
Route 34 will provide service between The Evergreen State College and Capital Mall. We will still provide one-seat rides between Evergreen and downtown Olympia via Route 9X. Every other Route 34 bus leaving Evergreen will continue as an eastbound 9X after arriving at Capital Mall. Every other westbound bus on Route 9X will continue as Route 34 after leaving Capital Mall and will travel to Evergreen. This will expand one-seat access to and from Evergreen (along with many other destinations) to bus stops stretching eastward across the Martin Way corridor and into Hawks Prairie.
Route 32 will replace bus service along Division St. currently served by the Route 41, linking west Olympia residents directly to nearby schools, shopping, services and employment.
While people accustomed to riding Route 41 may have a slightly longer trip, these changes will improve access and mobility for residents currently not served, including families who have expressed the need for transportation for busy high school and running start students.
What about Nightline service?
Weekend "Nightline" service between downtown Olympia and Evergreen is sponsored by The Evergreen State College and will continue through the end of the current contract (June 2026); future service will depend on a renewed agreement with the College.
We will also keep buses on many busier routes running beyond 11 p.m.
Why are you not serving Kaiser Permanente directly?
Kaiser has been a great partner; however, there are many challenges with placing public bus stops on privately owned property. Intercity Transit is moving toward placing stops only within publicly managed rights-of-way.
Why did you replace Route 620 with two different routes?
The change from Route 620 to Routes 600 and 610 is directly related to a new grant which took effect July 1, 2025, and expires June 30, 2029. Route 610 emphasizes Hawks Prairie and JBLM, which allows Intercity Transit to continue receiving funding for commuter service on I-5. As a relatively small public transit agency, we have limited financial resources to deploy for commuter service. Combined, Routes 600 and 610 require roughly the same resources as Route 620 but allow us to stay eligible for State funding for commuter services.
What do you mean my bus is “interlined”?
An interline is when a bus changes from one route to another during its trip, usually at a transit center or transfer hub. This means you can stay on the same bus even as it switches routes, making your trip easier and avoiding an extra transfer. Interlining helps the system run more efficiently while keeping trips convenient for passengers. There are a number of routes that are interlined in the new system. They include the following one-seat rides:
Evergreen to Downtown Olympia
Route 34 will continue as Route 9X, so you will be able to ride from The Evergreen State College to downtown Olympia without changing buses.
Buses on Route 34 will travel from Evergreen to Capital Mall and then continue as Route 9X to east Lacey.
In the other direction, every other 9X bus from Lacey will continue as Route 34 to Evergreen.
The other 9X buses will continue as Route 35, serving Cooper Point Rd., Evergreen Park Dr., and Thurston County Superior Court.
Evergreen to West Olympia and Lacey
Route 32 will give west Olympia riders direct access to jobs, shopping, schools, and healthcare, without the need to transfer.
All Route 32 buses will continue as Route 76 from South Puget Sound Community College to the Lacey Transit Center.
Together, Routes 32 and 76 will make it easier to reach both Evergreen and South Puget Sound Community College.
Downtown Olympia to West Olympia and Northwest Tumwater
Three routes will connect downtown Olympia to west Olympia: 9X, 30, and 31.
Route 31 will travel from downtown to Capital Mall via Rogers St., Bowman Ave., Conger Ave. (serving Capital High School), and Cooper Point Rd.
All Route 31 buses will continue as Route 33, serving Black Lake Blvd., northwest Tumwater, and Thurston County Family Court, giving riders a one-seat ride without needing to transfer.
How does replacing 5 routes (ONE, 62A, 62B, 41 and 48) with one (9X) make the system faster?
Route 9X will replace Routes 62A/B, as well as The One, and will be the foundation of our Bus Rapid Transit line in the future. Route 9X will make fewer stops than Routes 62A/B, making travel time faster. It will emphasize connections with other routes at busy intersections and existing transit centers. Stops not served by the frequent corridor route will continue to be served by Route 50 east of the Olympia Transit Center.
On weekdays Route 9X will have 15-minute frequency, and will operate for longer periods at 15-minute frequency than the One, which currently only operates on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Why are you closing my stop? This means I will have to cross a busy road.
We are currently working with local jurisdictions to finalize stop locations; our current system redesign information may not reflect the exact locations. In total, 37 stops have been identified for closure. Stop alerts will be posted on each of the stops that are being decommissioned 30 days prior to closure.
Once all stops are confirmed, we will provide updated maps. Customer safety is our highest priority when deciding where stops will be located.
This is a lot for me to learn. How will I be able to plan my trips?
We recommend using our trip planner or your favorite trip planning app (e.g. the Transit app or Google Maps) for trips dated on or after May 3, as they will show your new routes and commute options. If you need help trip planning, our customer service team is always happy to help. They are available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 360-786-1881 or customerservice@intercitytransit.com.
We are also hosting pop ups at our transit centers and tabling at events throughout the community. Feel free to attend as many of these events as you need.
Our Customer Service team is also ready to help you plan your trips and is available at the Olympia Transit Center between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. They are also available by phone at 360-786-1881. If you need more structured help, our Travel Trainers are a great free resource. They are available for individual and group training. To reach them, email traveltraining@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5879. Our Bus Buddy program is another great resource for those who need one-on-one training to learn the new system.
I think my trip is going to take longer with the new system. How is that better?
Some trips may take longer. This may be due to a route servicing a new area, which means more people will have access to public transit, or because our connection points will be changing. This is intended to provide less out-of-direction travel, but that may not be the case for your specific trip.
We will continue to monitor ridership patterns and make systematic improvements as we learn more. The system redesign is not static—adjustments will continue even after launch, with updates three times a year. If you have feedback, please email us at planning@intercitytransit.com.