Photo of woman boarding a bus and text overlay reading "Win $1500, Switch Your Trips October 1-31"

This campaign is brought to you by the Washington State Ridesharing Organization.

"Switch Your Trips" Returns October

You are invited to Switch Your Trips this October for a chance to win up to $1,500! Between October 1-31, log 10 sustainable trips on the Ride Together Pierce trip calendar and automatically enter to win prizes from $50 to $1,500, including a brand-new e-bike.

Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Washington State who is 18 or older can participate. Eligible modes include bus, train, light rail, vanpool, carpool, walk or roll, bike and foot ferry. Trips can be commute trips or personal trips.

Week Without Driving October 1-8

Week Without Driving is an opportunity to think about the trips we make every day and consider: What options would I have if I could no longer drive?

For many Washingtonians — including older adults, young people, people with disabilities, and those who cannot afford to drive — finding different ways to get around is already part of everyday life.

Even trying one trip without driving can help folks better understand how non-drivers are able to, or not able to get around for everyday trips.

Learn More About Week Without Driving

October is Pedestrian Safety Month

Everyone is a pedestrian, whether in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a road. As weather changes and daylight hours shorten, pedestrian safety is even more important.

In the United States in 2024, there were an estimated 71,635 pedestrians injured and 7,080 pedestrians were killed. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections. Drivers should do their part by driving the speed limit, scanning the road and giving way to pedestrians.

Learn More About Pedestrian Safety Month

Photo of two people walking across a street, and a text reading "Watch for People"

Graphic courtesy of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Transit Updates

Intercity Transit Offers Vanpool Incentives This Fall

Do you commute to or from Thurston County? Consider joining a vanpool to cut your commute costs! A vanpool is a group of three or more people commuting to work in a van, lent from a transit agency. Someone commuting from Olympia to Tacoma by vanpool would only pay $75 a month for all their commute expenses.

Intercity Transit is offering four incentives for vanpoolers this October and November:

Recruit a new rider or join a new vanpool to earn $50-$100.
Top 10 safest vanpool drivers earn $100.
Submit your vanpool report on time and enter to win $50.
Achieve all three items above and win another $100.

Learn More About the Vanpool Incentives

Photo collage of WA State Fair and Pierce Transit

Photo courtesy of Ray S.

Events

Sound Transit Special Event Service - Catch the Sounder train on these special event days: October 4 (Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers) and October 11 (Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers).
Added Sounder Trains to Sunday Football Games - In response to rider demand, Sounder will now offer three trains on the S Line from Lakewood and Sumner on Sunday afternoon gamedays.

News From Around Pierce County

Difference Between E-Bikes vs. E-Motos

Pierce County Sheriff's Office recently shared an educational video on identifying different types of e-bikes (and e-motos), and the laws that apply to them. You can also review the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's guide to e-mobility rides.

Graphic explaining three classes of e-bikes

Graphic courtesy of Pierce County Sheriff's Office

How Do You Ride?

Photo of a couple cyclists stopped on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on a sunny day, looking over the water.

"I do a mixture of everything, from teleworking, carpooling, bussing and biking. I like the variety of mixing my commute options because I never get tired of doing the same thing every day. [...] I save at least $200 a month by not driving to work each day." - Hannah N.

Have a transportation-related photo to share? Reply to this newsletter and share your travel photo with a brief description. If we use your photo in an upcoming issue, we will send you a $10 Starbucks card. Submit a Commuter Profile and receive a $20 gift code.

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