Public Transportation in Gig Harbor
Many folks moving to Gig Harbor, or thinking of moving to Gig Harbor, often have questions about our transportation system. Many who are considering buying a home in Gig Harbor will be working in Seattle or Tacoma, and want to know what the commute will be like.
I’ve never ridden the public transit system in Gig Harbor, so I’d love to hear from those of you who have. I know that there are several options, ranging from Park and Rides to Van Pools to buses to trains to ferries. I’m just not sure which is the easiest and cheapest. I know that Pierce Transit runs several buses from Gig Harbor to Tacoma, and I know that Sound Transit has buses and trains from Tacoma to Seattle, and I think they both have some version of the van pool, but I can’t tell you much about them.
I have ridden the ferry from Port Orchard and from Bainbridge Island to Seattle, but those were sight seeing trips for me, not commutes.
Any input from those of you who make the commute frequently would be welcome. I know that the drive isn’t as bad now with the opening of the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge, but ride sharing can be easier and more eco-friendly.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hi Matt - nice little blog you have here. I’m moving to gig harbor next month (returning actually, as I grew up there). I am going to be commuting to Seattle two days/week, and will be experimenting with both the Sound Transit express bus (from the Gig Harbor park and ride) and the Sounder train from downtown Tacoma. I’ll let you know what I find out!
April 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
[…] posted a blog a while back with some public transportation options from Gig Harbor to Tacoma and Seattle. Driving (if you discount the odd way that Washington […]
April 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Hi,
I’ve travelled to Seattle from the Purdy Park and Ride for 9yrs using Sound Transits 595 Bus. It’s a nice relaxing ride where you can read,conversate and just SLEEP. You can buy a bus pass,tickets or maybe your employer has transit program where they pay for your pass. With the price of gas and the toll going up in July Mass Transit is the way to go, the 595 does stop at the Gig Harbor Park&ride also.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Thanks, Renee–
That is truly helpful information. It looks as though they’re expanding the Gig Harbor Park and Ride to the old Stroh’s field. Much better option than fighting traffic, I imagine!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Update - I took the 595 express to Seattle for the first time last week and loved it. I had a five minute drive to the Kimball drive park and ride, got on the bus, ate breakfast, slept, and when I woke up and got off the bus I was three blocks from my office. Plus, riding the bus means no toll.
The main downside for me is that the 595 schedule is earlier than I’d like. I can work 10-7, but the last bus leaves at 6:30 am and the last returning bus leaves downtown seattle around 5:30. The sounder train to tacoma doesn’t run that late either (which is why I haven’t tried it yet). That doesn’t leave a lot of options for working late - an express bus to Tacoma (and someone to pick you up at the bus stop) is the only transit solution I’ve found so far.