Headways Newsletter: February 2023
A bus travels in front of a Bremerton parking garage at sunset.
Welcome back to Headways!
We’re jumping into the new year (gently ignoring the fact that it’s nearly March) with a feature on Kitsap Transit’s efforts at reaching our emissions goals through the use of renewable diesel, electric buses and what the future holds.
We also laid out our plan for reintroducing Sunday service for the first time since 2009, honored our Routed, ACCESS and Worker/Driver Drivers of the Year, and rolled out a tool to help improve our website’s accessibility.
Lots to dig into! Enjoy!
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1. Fleet of the future: How Kitsap Transit is lowering its carbon footprint
Kitsap Transit recently took delivery of two more battery-electric buses and installed several charging stations at our Charleston Base bus depot.
Regulators are pushing fleets to diversify their fuel mix, and Kitsap Transit is among many transit agencies in Washington state exploring the possibilities. We're working towards our bus fleet of the future, using a mix of renewable diesel, battery-electric buses and more.
2. Our plan to reintroduce Sunday service
A bus operating Route 217 travels down Washington Avenue in Bremerton.
On Feb. 7, we presented our Sunday service proposal to the Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners. We plan to start up Sunday service in three phases, beginning later this year in Bremerton.
We 43 bus operators to resume pre-pandemic service levels and add Sunday service – new hires can receive up to a $7,000 hiring bonus.
3. Kitsap Transit’s 2022 Drivers of the Year
Left to right: Routed Driver of the Year Laura Moniz, Executive Director John Clauson, and ACCESS Driver of the Year Andrea Hillman.
On Feb. 1, we recognized our 2022 Drivers of the Year: Laura Moniz (Routed), Andrea Hillman (ACCESS) and Chris Wheeler (Worker/Driver). These operators exemplify our mission to provide safe and reliable public transportation to the residents of Kitsap County. Congratulations!
4. Spring service change begins March 6
A lineup of Kitsap Transit’s buses at the Charleston Base bus depot.
Our spring service change goes into effect March 6. This is a small service change, with a few minor timepoint adjustments to several routes in Central and North Kitsap.
5. Introducing a new tool for web accessibility
Our new accessibility tool offers myriad options to change the format of kitsaptransit.com.
We recently added the UserWay Accessibility Tool to kitsaptransit.com! This new widget allows users to change website contrast, increase text spacing and size, highlight links, toggle on a built-in screen reader, access a dictionary and more.
6. How Kitsap Transit navigates extreme weather
Route 225 travels over the Manette Bridge in the snow.
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a public transit agency during a snowstorm? Wonder no more! We took a look at all the essential jobs KT staff perform when the weather turns nasty.