How Intercity Transit Redesigned Its Network

Key Takeaways

• 83% of voters favored transformational transit scenario
• New Route 9X provides 15‑minute BRT‑style service across four hubs
• Network expands to 25 routes, adding 130 stops
• Annual service hours increase 14% under the redesign
• Interlining creates one‑seat rides, eliminating transfers at I‑5

Pulse Analysis

Mid‑size transit agencies are increasingly turning to comprehensive network redesigns to stay relevant in a shifting mobility landscape. Intercity Transit’s decade‑long effort combined robust public outreach—collecting over 10,000 ideas—with a clear funding mechanism via Proposition 1, which also financed a five‑year zero‑fare trial. By anchoring the new system around a high‑frequency, BRT‑styled corridor (Route 9X) and leveraging community‑approved scenarios, the agency created a resilient framework that can adapt to evolving ridership trends.

The May 2026 rollout replaces 16 of the agency’s 20 legacy routes with 25 new lines, adding 130 stops and boosting service hours by 14%. Route 9X runs every 15 minutes between Capitol Mall, Olympia Transit Center, Lacey Transit Center, and Hawks Prairie, while bi‑directional loops in downtown Olympia and Hawks Prairie simplify directional navigation. Interlining—pairing routes such as 32/76 and 15/16—delivers true one‑seat rides, cutting transfers and shortening travel times, especially for cross‑I‑5 trips.

For the broader public‑transit sector, Intercity’s approach illustrates how data‑driven scenario planning, targeted funding, and incremental pilot projects can de‑risk large‑scale redesigns. The emphasis on high‑frequency corridors, flexible loop services, and seamless interlining addresses the post‑pandemic shift toward more evenly distributed ridership throughout the day. Other agencies can replicate these tactics to boost ridership, improve equity, and justify future investments in sustainable urban mobility.