NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 6, 2019
Intercity Transit launches local express route -The One
Weekday service begins Monday, Nov. 11, 2019
Olympia, WA – Intercity Transit will launch its new high-performance, limited stop bus service Monday, November 11, 2019. “The One,” provides faster, more direct transit service, connecting the Martin Way Park & Ride in Lacey to the Capital Mall in west Olympia with limited stops. Over 5,000 people live and 22,000 people work within a five minute walk of this new route. A trip that currently takes over 60 minutes on the bus will now take about 30 minutes.
The One is a four-year demonstration route funded by a $4.5 million Regional Mobility grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The project is designed to reduce transit travel times along one of the area’s most heavily-traveled corridors during weekday peak commute hours. During peak times buses will serve the corridor at established stops every 15 minutes with nearly 30 daily trips in each direction.
In addition to limited stops, the route features other design elements to keep buses moving including in lane stops and a transit only lane and traffic queue jump in downtown Olympia. Riders can also enter and exit buses using both front and rear doors. There is no fare to ride The One, eliminating that extra time it takes for passengers to find correct change or present a bus pass to the Operator. Similar to the DASH, The One will also be a bike-free route, improving schedule reliability. Bicycle riders will still have frequent access on other existing routes that will continue to serve the busy corridor.
The One demonstration route advances the “Bus Rapid Transit Light” concept included in the list of projects approved as part of Proposition 1 last November. Launching The One introduces a new generation of direct, fast, and smart local bus service which is planned to serve the region’s growing urban corridors. Ultimately, what is learned through the demonstration project will inform development and implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) type services in our community as identified in the agency’s Long Range Plan.
For additional information, including service hours and a map of the route, visit intercitytransit.com/theone.
###
For More Information:
Eric Phillips, Development Director
360-705-5885
ephillips@intercitytransit.com