Between 1990 and 2000, annual bus ridership increased from 10.75 million to 14.64 million. This means that Pierce Transit’s market penetration gradually increased throughout the decade of the 90’s. This trend was temporarily reversed, starting in 2000, when service reductions, made necessary by the elimination of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, took effect.  Subsequently, Pierce County voters approved an increase in the sales tax from three-tenths of one percent to six-tenths, effective July 1, 2002. Since then, system ridership has rebounded, surpassing 21.1 million boardings in 2008, but falling slightly to 20.3 million boardings in 2009. 

In 2010, total ridership amongst the services in Pierce County fell by over 1,050,000 boardings since 2008 with a net zero change in SHUTTLE rides, a 30,000 ride drop in Sound Transit, and a 20,000 ride drop in Van Pool rides and nearly a million ride drop in Pierce Transit boardings.

In 2011, voters turned down a funding plea put forward to increase tax support Pierce Transit, and subsequent reductions in service have occurred which do not show in this data set. 

The following chart does not reflect the use of Tacoma Light Rail services.