Jefferson Transit officials are hoping to hear input from the public regarding a host of potential service changes in 2023.

A customer survey on the proposed route changes is online at surveymonkey.com/r/2023SERVICECHANGE. Some prospective switches to the transportation authority include earlier departures for the No. 1 Brinnon/Quilcene/Tri-Area route; expanded service hours and days for the No. 4 Upper Sims Loop route; Saturday departures at later times for the No. 14 Kingston Express route; and other changes.

“Jefferson Transit is continuously looking for ways to better meet the needs of the community by utilizing the staff and vehicle resources that are available,” said General Manager Nicole Gauthier.

“The proposed time changes and additions to the existing schedule are a direct response to feedback that Jefferson Transit has received from community members,” Gauthier said.

Many of the route changes are intended to better benefit local transit users.

“The proposed additions to the No. 4 Upper Sims Loop will allow for additional access to the new housing complex at 7th Haven and on Rainier Street,” she said. “The proposed additions to the No. 11 Downtown/Uptown Shuttle between 7 to 8 p.m. will allow for community members to park at Haines Place Park-and-Ride and ride the shuttle into the downtown/Uptown area and have more time to enjoy the shops and restaurants in the evening.”

One of the transportation municipality’s newest and most popular routes, the No. 14 Kingston Express, could receive new changes to align better with the Kingston-Edmonds ferry.

“Jefferson Transit is proposing the adoption of a summer schedule for the No. 14 Kingston Express, which will better align with Kitsap Transit’s fast ferry to Seattle on Saturdays,” Gauthier said. “Jefferson Transit is proposing the addition of a No. 6A Tri-Area run on Saturdays to provide more access to and from the Tri Area.”

Jefferson Transit is proposing a time change on the first departure of the No. 1 Brinnon to help south county residents make connections at the Quilcene School and with the No. 14 Kingston Express, she added.

Jefferson Transit released a video highlighting the potential adjustments, which can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=1PGpg-jnbkM.

“Jefferson Transit would appreciate community members taking a few moments to complete the survey and provide feedback on our proposed changes,” Gauthier said.

The survey will be on the transit group’s website until March 21.

Jefferson Transit is set to host a special meeting and public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday,
March 21 regarding the proposed route changes and survey.