Residents of Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor have a new reason to celebrate as Pierce County and the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce gear up to launch the Peninsula Transit Pilot Program. This initiative, offering a free shuttle service to connect the two localities, plans to ease transportation woes and bolster community cohesion. A special ribbon-cutting event is slated for November 22, 2025, where local and county officials will gather to remark on this community milestone at 10:00 a.m., held at 9021 Key Peninsula Hwy NW, Lakebay, WA 98349, across from Key IGA.
The pilot program is an 8-month trial, running through August 2026, and is the brainchild of a collaboration between local county officials and private entities, including Around the Sound and the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce. With the shuttle service's free weekday and Saturday rides, the goal is to facilitate safer and more affordable travel for residents. Notably, the program aspires to extend its operations during the holiday season, from Nov. 28 to Dec. 26, providing daily transportation to support local shopping and community events. This information was laid out in a press release published by the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Key community locations such as Longbranch Improvement Club, Key Peninsula Community Services, and Lake Kathryn Pharmacy are among the multiple stops integrated into the shuttle's route. This serves as an indication of the program's effort to reach a broad cross-section of the community by connecting essential spaces and services. Furthermore, on-demand stops at venues like The Red Barn Youth Center, The Mustard Seed Project, and St. Anthony’s Hospital demonstrate a commitment to flexible and need-based transit solutions.
Ahead of the launch, media members have the opportunity to engage with key figures involved in the transit program. Paula Zenobio from Uptown Gig Harbor, Robyn Denson, Council Member for Pierce County District 7, and Miriam Battson, CEO & President of the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, are available for interviews to shed more insight on the anticipated benefits of the Peninsula Transit Pilot Program. The full press release and other media resources, such photo of the shuttle, can be found attached to the Chamber's announcement.
