01/17/2023
Getting on the Bus in Sumner - a message from Mayor Kathy Hayden:
You may notice a new bus going around Sumner these days that says Sumner Commuter Connector. This is a new service the City contracted to have to finish that “last mile,” as they call it between the Sounder Station and the businesses in the industrial area. This is a pilot program—no city in America has ever tried it before, but we like to try new things here.
Why is this service important? Hopefully, it helps solve two issues at once. First, our industrial businesses tell us repeatedly that they have issues hiring staff because of lack of access, especially by mass transit. An employee can easily ride the train to downtown Sumner, but then what? This circulator shuttle should solve this problem. Second, for everyone else, it’s almost an understatement to say that we have a traffic congestion problem here, especially at commute time. If we can get 40 people to ride this bus instead of drive to work, that’s 40 cars off the road in front of you. Now think about the fact that an estimated 17,000 people work in our industrial area. That’s a lot of cars to potentially get off the roads.
It won’t happen overnight, but we have to try potential solutions to some of our largest challenges. To find out more about how the Sumner Commuter Connector works, especially if you run a business on the north end or work up there. Fair warning: if this service does not get used, it won’t last long.
-Mayor Kathy Hayden
Check out the link to learn more and how to sign up to ride the Connector!
https://sumnerwa.gov/commuter-connector/
