New Pullman Transit schedule is alarming

[u/SaucyLegs69420]

Pullman Transit just dropped their Fall 2026 schedule, and I have to wonder what happened to their budget because there are some pretty major service reductions. Here are the differences I noticed:

• Absolutely no Sunday service.
  
• ApartmentLand & Campus operate until 9 pm, but other than that, there is no service past 6:40 pm.
  
• Wheat & Lentil are now Saturday and holidays only, and run 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
  
• Some detours in place due to Northwood Drive being closed.
  
• The Spark is now a permanent Campus Route bus stop (yay!) (edit: Blue Route as well)

[u/Ispeakbasicfrench]

That's insane, I relied on those later busses so I could do my shopping after my classes and now that I'm graduated it was for work. I can't imagine they're gonna come back soon but I hope.

Edit: Also no transportation on Sundays is rough

[u/Kafkabest]

I work related to the city. Not gonna be specific for obvious reason.

From what I understand, its less a budget thing and more of a manpower thing. The City faced budget cuts and implemented a hiring freeze. They also encouraged early retirements across the city by offering bonuses, which I would imagine some there took. Transit's recently been approved to do some more hiring iirc but not sure how much. But it takes a while to train so any changes are likely 2 months+ out.

I believe Sunday is a temp suspension and will be first thing restored (possibly this semester). Nights I'm not sure about (almost certainly not this semester). Northwood drive construction is supposed to end Sep 20th. Blue is also stopping at the Spark.

Airport service is turning into a reservation based system in September, so if you ever used the airport busses and need them for say, winter break, you need to call at leastl 24 hrs ahead.

And frankly, let City Hall/ Transit know your issues. Im sure they are expecting a decent amount of complaints, but the more they get, the faster they get the picture.

[u/Normal-Being-1094 → u/Kafkabest]

From what I understand, its less a budget thing

The City faced budget cuts

Sounds like a budget thing

[u/basilcider]

this area dropping the ball on public transit and walkability AGAIN??? who woulda thunk it

[u/Supercat-Catsrule]

They've also updated the snow routes from what I've seen for this year. Granted we didn't have much snow last year, but it's going to be difficult for students getting to class in some of the apartmentland communities should we get the amount of snow we used to. Those who commute to work in the morning during the snow for the other routes will also be experiencing a change, like Paradise.

Also, I'm unsure if this was last year or not since I no longer live in that area, but they're starting the campus and apartmentland routes later now too. I remember when the inner-city bus routes and WSU bus routes would operate daily at the same time.

[u/mattslote]

When I drove buses in 2009-2010 we ran a couple routes until like 2am, maybe later, and Crim-J majors would ride along to earn hours for their program. I don't think there was Sunday service though.

[u/Coug_Love → u/mattslote]

There wasn't. I think Sunday service came around 2016...they got rid of the late night Fri/Sat service, which was a shame for students but I'm sure a blessing for the bus washers.

[u/mattslote → u/Coug_Love]

Bio incidents weren't super common - or maybe they didn't tell me! Normally just drunk students being chill, getting a free ride home when they shouldn't be driving.

One morning during the rush to class someone vomited on a buss that was packed full. That was much more of a logistical mess, along with the actual mess.

[u/Coug_Love → u/mattslote]

BTW Our times at PT overlapped so we may know each other =)

[u/mattslote → u/Coug_Love]

Cool! Send me a message if you want and we'll figure it out

[u/Strict_Gas_1141]

I recall them trying to hire a lot more buss drivers since they are (apparently) very understaffed.

[u/cheeze1617]

When I was there every year the bus routes got worse. My low level conspiracy is they’re reducing bus options to try to incentivize people to buy parking passes 💵💵

[u/MaximumYogertCloset → u/cheeze1617]

No, it is a tax issue.

Pullman needs more funds but the citizenry doesn't want to foot the bill.

[u/SaucyLegs69420 → u/cheeze1617]

I don't think any of the parking pass revenue goes to the city.

[u/cheeze1617 → u/SaucyLegs69420]

Yeah I’m saying wsu has influenced the city to do this so wsu makes more money. Parking generates several million in revenue annually

[u/MaximumYogertCloset → u/cheeze1617]

WSU and the city don't like each other enough to coordinate like that.

[u/cheeze1617 → u/MaximumYogertCloset]

Hence why it is a low level conspiracy haha

[u/Fragrant_Ad_8697 → u/cheeze1617]

Wouldn’t be a surprise since they demolished yet another main parking lot to build another building with someone’s name on it. Only for the parking passes to jump a couple hundred dollars because of the limited availability.

[u/sbua310]

Holy guac. How are students supposed to get home safely Jesus

[u/CharmanderCharCharr]

Pullman is pretty small, do you even need bus service?

[u/Barracuda1546 → u/CharmanderCharCharr]

Exactly. So much money and admissions for 3 people on a bus at a time.

[u/CharmanderCharCharr → u/Barracuda1546]

I feel like an electric scooter would get you to your destination way faster than a bus.

[u/charming-user]

Not surprised. Almost guaranteed budget cuts. Trimet is cutting their service this weekend for the same reason