Transportation has been identified as a barrier for low-income families, individuals and seniors to attain living-wage jobs, obtain quality childcare and access critical services or programs. As Pierce County's population ages and fuel prices rise, it is expected that the demand on the public transportation system will increase.

Pierce Transit provides local bus routes as well as SHUTTLE services (a demand-response service providing transportation for people certified eligible for the service because they are functionally unable to ride a fixed-route bus), vanpool and ride matching. They also partner with Sound Transit to provide services outside of the Pierce Transit catchment.