Trip Planner Tips - FAQ Answers

Question 1: I want to travel outside of Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. Why can't I get information from the Trip Planner?

A: The Trip Planner has information for transit service provided by the agencies listed in Who's Who. That includes service to the Olympia Transit Center provided jointly by Pierce Transit and Intercity Transit. Trips operated by IT include the phrase "via IT." Other areas and service provided by other transit agencies are not offered in the Trip Planner..

Question 2: There's a bus stop right on my street. Why can't I get information about service there?

A: There can be more than one explanation for this problem. Some streets have 'official' names different from those commonly used in their area. Some streets and addresses are not known to the Trip Planning system or are not served by the local transit agencies. If there is a bus route number on the bus stop sign, you may get better information looking at the timetable and map for that bus route on the web sites of the agencies listed in Who's Who.

Question 3: Why does my stop have different street names from the names of the streets it is near?

A: Sometimes street names have changed or are different in one information source as compared to another. Some streets have 'official' names different from those commonly used in the local area.

Question 4: Why does my trip start later or end earlier than I requested?

A: There may be no service at the time you specify for some part of the trip. For instance, you may wish to leave at 10:00 am, but the next bus may not leave until 10:30 or later depending on the frequency of service. Another factor is walking distance. The trip planner allows time for you to walk between the locations you specify and the bus stops used in the trip plans.

Question 5: Why are there no walking instructions in my results?

A: Walking directions for very short distances are not given in the Trip Planner results. Where you do not see walking directions, the bus stop is very near the location. Where the directions are not colored and underlined, the stop is a very short distance from the location and no detailed instructions are provided.

Question 6: Why didn't the Trip Planner give information about service for a special event?

A: Special service, such as service for a sporting event or exhibition, is not available in the Trip Planner. Please visit the web site of the agency in whose service area the event occurs for this kind of information. The agencies are listed in Who's Who.

Question 7: How can I tell if a route is affected by construction, an event, or other reroutes?

A: Notices of these conditions are maintained by the individual agency that operates the transit route on its separate web site. If the route number is a link (if it is in color and underlined,) you can click on it. That connects you to the timetable section of the agency's web site where you can look for a Rider Alert or other notices.

If the route number is not a link, go to the web sites of the individual agencies included in the Trip Planner and look for reroutes or rider alerts. The agencies are identified by an abbreviation before the route number: CT, ET, IT, MT, ST or PT. Who's Who explains these abbreviations and has links to each agency.

Question 8: Why didn't the Trip Planner recognize a well-known landmark?

A: The Trip Planner recognizes many landmarks in its coverage area, but some kinds of landmarks are not included. Please see the list of landmark types the Trip Planner supports and note that different agencies may include different types of landmarks. If the landmark you entered is one of the supported types, it may have a "formal" name different from what you entered. We are expanding our database of alternate names for landmarks, and if you wish to make a suggestion, you may use the Comments function on this page to do so.

Question 9: Why does the Trip Planner say "Trip Not Possible" even when I start from the nearest Park & Ride?

A: If your starting location is not in Pierce, King, or Snohomish County, the Trip Planner will give that response. Only service provided by the agencies listed in Who's Who is currently supported by the Trip Planner. Another possible cause is lack of service at the time you wish to travel.

Question 10: How soon before a Service Change will the Trip Planner have valid information about the changes to service?

A: The regional transit agencies make major changes to routes and schedules three times a year: early February, late May, and mid-September. The Trip Planner will usually have valid information about service after a Service Change at least a week in advance. You access this information by entering a date after the Service Change.

Question 11: I received two (or more) itineraries, but they are really the same except for using slightly different stops. Why?

A: The Trip Planner is set to offer up to three trip options, but sometimes there are not that many valid options for the information you entered. Then the options the Trip Planner gives may be different only in the choice of bus stops, which result in small differences in walking and bus travel time.

Question 12: Why didn't the Trip Planner use a specific bus stop or bus route that I know serves my origin or destination?

A: The Trip Planner looks at a combination of factors to arrive at itineraries. Sometimes the trips that best match the entries you made to request the trip plan are not what you expect. You can make changes to entries to get different results. For instance, entering the location of a bus stop you want to use usually means the Trip Planner will use that stop in the trip plan. Entering a departure time just before the bus you want is scheduled at the stop usually means the Trip Planner will use that bus in the trip plan. But it is hard to get the Trip Planner to return a trip plan that is substantially slower, has more walking, or has more transfers than the optimum trips.

Question 13: Can't I go directly to my destination? My trip goes the long way around to get me there.

A: Usually trip plans like this come up when the walking distance has been set too low to include the closest direct stop or when the "Minimal Walking" option has been chosen. Try increasing the walking distance or choosing "Fastest Way" or "Fewest Transfers." If you already used the maximum walking distance, you might get a more direct trip plan by entering a location closer to the stops.

Question 14: How can I find a park and ride lot?

A: To find a Park & ride in Pierce County, go to the Park & Ride section of the Pierce Transit website. To find a Park & Ride in King County, go to the Park & Ride section of Metro Online. Outside of King County, go to the Who's Who page. For Snohomish County, see Community Transit.

Question 15: Is the Trip Planner missing part of my trip? The Trip Planner told me to take a certain bus route, but looking at the timetable, it doesn't seem to go where I asked.

A: The route provided by the Trip Planner may continue service as a different route number, completing the trip you requested without requiring you to transfer. When a route continues with a new designation the Trip Planner adds the phrase "Continues as [another route]". You are not required to change buses when one continues as another.

If, after looking at the paper or online timetable, you still believe the trip planner has used a bus that doesn't go where you asked, please use the Comments button or link on this page to let us know.