Public Safety

Free Transit to Cooling Centers Extended to July 23

Friday, July 24, 2026

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Pierce Transit is extending free rides to cooling centers through Thursday, July 23, due to continued high temperatures, according to a July 21 announcement. The service, initially set to end July 21, was extended after forecasts predicted heat would persist.

Free round-trip rides are available for passengers telling drivers they are traveling to or from cooling centers or shelters. The service applies to all Pierce Transit buses, Runner, and SHUTTLE paratransit for registered users. Cooling centers are open in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland, and Gig Harbor.

The extension comes as Pierce Transit also moved to place a November ballot measure on funding expanded transit services. The measure, approved July 13, would add new routes, more frequent service, and fare-free transit for seniors if approved by voters.

📄 Source: Pierce Transit — https://piercetransit.org/

Source receipts13 of 19 claims supported · 68%

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Pierce Transit is extending free rides to cooling centers through Thursday, July 23“High temperatures are forecast to continue through Thursday, so Pierce Transit is extending the offer of free rides to cooling centers through end of service on Thursday, July 23. We may extend or reduce depending on the forecast. The free rides to cooling centers and shelters are in effect on Pierce Transit services through end of service on Thursday, July 23.”
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The extension is due to continued high temperatures“High temperatures are forecast to continue through Thursday, so Pierce Transit is extending the offer of free rides to cooling centers through end of service on Thursday, July 23.”
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The announcement was made on July 21No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The service was initially set to end July 21“The free rides to cooling centers and shelters are in effect on Pierce Transit services from start of service Sunday, July 19 through end of service on Tuesday, July 21.”
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The service was extended after forecasts predicted heat would persist“High temperatures are forecast to continue through Thursday, so Pierce Transit is extending the offer of free rides to cooling centers through end of service on Thursday, July 23.”
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Free round-trip rides are available for passengers telling drivers they are traveling to or from cooling centers or shelters“The free round trips are available throughout the day and evening on those dates for passengers who tell the driver they are traveling to or from a cooling center or shelter.”
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The service applies to all Pierce Transit busesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The service applies to RunnerNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The service applies to SHUTTLE paratransit for registered users“The free rides to cooling centers and shelters are in effect on Pierce Transit services through end of service on Thursday, July 23. The free round trips are available throughout the day and evening on those dates for passengers who tell the driver they are traveling to or from a cooling center or shelter. Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor. For more information on cooling centers and shelters, visit PierceCountywa.gov/8220/Homeless-Emergency-Shelter-Availability . The post Extended: Free Rides to Cooling Centers through July 23 appeared first on Pierce Transit - Connecting you with life . Source: https://piercetransit.org/transit-news/extended-free-rides-to-cooling-centers-through-july-23/”
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Cooling centers are open in Tacoma“Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor.”
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Cooling centers are open in Lakewood“Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor.”
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Cooling centers are open in Puyallup“Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor.”
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Cooling centers are open in Parkland“Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor.”
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Cooling centers are open in Gig Harbor“Cooling shelters are open in many Pierce County locations including Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Gig Harbor.”
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The extension comes as Pierce Transit also moved to place a November ballot measure on funding expanded transit servicesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The measure was approved July 13No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The measure would add new routes“new bus routes and special event service more frequent service and shorter wait times later evening and weekend service easier transfers and more direct trips fare-free bus and paratransit service for seniors expanded paratransit service for people with disabilities”
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The measure would add more frequent service“more frequent service and shorter wait times”
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The measure would add fare-free transit for seniors if approved by votersThis receipt does not establish the claimed decision.“fare-free bus and paratransit service for seniors”