Winter transit tools: Tips for riding Kitsap Transit during snowy weather

A rider boards a Kitsap Transit bus in the snow.

As we move into the winter weather season, it’s important for riders to be prepared and know how Kitsap Transit will communicate with the public during snow and other inclement weather events.

The main way riders will receive updates from Kitsap Transit during snow events is through Rider Alerts. Visit kitsaptransit.com/subscribe to sign up for alerts for your route.

Check your bus schedule before you leave and give yourself extra time to get to your stop. Snow Route schedules and maps are available on each route page.

• Rider Alerts and changes to service

  • In order to give riders time to plan and to avoid last-minute changes, Kitsap Transit makes changes to service four times per day during snow events; these changes take effect at 9 AM, Noon, 3 PM, and 7 PM.

  • We will send a rider alert update about an hour before each service change, informing riders of their route’s status at the next interval. Alerts will include details on which roads are not being served, a picture of the snow route map, and a link to track your bus.

• KT Tracker and other third-party transit apps

  • Riders can track their bus by visiting KTTracker.com and selecting their route from the dropdown.

  • When operating Snow Routes, riders will see their bus route indicated by a solid-colored line. A dashed line indicates parts of the regular route that will not be served.

  • If Kitsap Transit activates our Emergency Service plan, buses will not appear on KT Tracker. In these instances, riders can call Customer Service at 1-800-501-7433 to get their bus's current location. Riders should refer to our Emergency Service webpage for maps and loop descriptions (see “Emergency Service” section).

  • Kitsap Transit’s real-time data feed is available to third-party apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Transit app. These apps may show our live bus locations, but information and tracking may be inconsistent or not always available.

• Kitsap Transit’s Snow & Extreme Weather Dashboard

  • In addition to Rider Alerts, you can view your route’s status on our Snow & Extreme Weather Dashboard.

  • The dashboard is updated at least every four hours. It shows the current status of our services and upcoming changes to service at the next interval.

  • Next to each route are links to the relevant Snow Route page or Emergency Loops (see “Emergency Service” section).

  • We recommend bookmarking the Dashboard and checking it during inclement weather for the most up-to-date information on your route.

• What happens when Kitsap Transit activates its Emergency Service Plan?

  If weather conditions deteriorate to the point where Kitsap Transit cannot safely operate our Snow Routes, we will activate our Emergency Service plan.

  • During Emergency Service, buses will operate loops on main roads only. Buses will not follow a regular schedule and will not appear on our live-tracking app. Click here to view Emergency Service route maps by region.

  • The Extreme Weather Dashboard will show all routes as “cancelled.”

  • For information on where your bus is, riders can call Customer Service at 1-800-501-7433.

• Text or call for estimated bus arrival times

  • Riders can text or call (360) 800-3433 to get an estimated arrival time for their bus at a stop.

  • To get your stop number, visit this page on KTTracker.com and select your route from the dropdown. Select your stop on the map. The number shown before the stop name is the stop number.

    • For example, you would text “113” to (360) 800-3433 to get the next arriving bus at our stop at Wheaton Way at Grocery Outlet.

  • When you’re at a transit center, where multiple routes converge, you can get the ETA for your route by adding a hyphen and the route number.

    • For example, at Bremerton Transportation Center (stop number 1), you would text “1-217” to get the estimated arrivals within the next 30 minutes for Route 217.

• What if I ride ACCESS?

  • During snow and extreme weather events, Kitsap Transit does not prioritize ACCESS paratransit trips. We will continue to provide ACCESS service within ¾ mile of the current inclement weather service area, as long as the trip can be provided safely.

  • Kitsap Transit will make every effort to accommodate essential ACCESS paratransit trips outside of the ¾ mile inclement weather service area, including dialysis, chemotherapy, and trips to warming centers; however, ACCESS paratransit staff will make the final decision regarding whether a trip can be provided safely.

  • Other trips, whether for a medical appointment, a social outing, or another purpose, may still be available and will be rescheduled on a case-by-case basis or as weather conditions improve. ACCESS paratransit staff will make the final decision regarding whether a trip can be provided safely.

  • To check the status of your trip, call 1-800-422-2877.

• What if I ride Worker/Driver or use other services, like vanpool?

  • Worker/Driver buses generally operate in snowy weather.  Many buses operate on modified routes or run late. Worker/Driver passengers should ask their driver for information about pick-ups during inclement weather. You can sign up for Worker/Driver alerts here.

  • Worker/Driver has its own Snow Service Dashboard. Click here to see the status of your route.

  • Vanpool riders should contact their vanpool driver or coordinator for details.