Pierce Transit officials announced Thursday the transportation agency will consolidate its three customer service Bus Shops location into the existing location at Tacoma Dome Station in an effort to lower overall administration costs and improve efficiencies.

According to Pierce Transit officials, the move will save the agency staffing and facilities costs, increase communication and synergy between customer service team members who were previously spread out at three locations, and bring the agency’s customer service level in line with other transit agencies in the area. In addition, the Tacoma Dome Station Bus Shop is larger than the other Bus Shop locations and a transportation hub served by Pierce Transit, Intercity Transit, and Sound Transit. It is also in close proximity to Greyhound and Amtrak stations.

The move will be rolled out in four phases beginning later this month. On Sept. 30, the Pierce Transit’s lost and found service will relocate to Tacoma Dome Station, where Sound Transit’s Tacoma Link light rail lost and found is already located. Customers on Pierce Transit and Tacoma Link light rail will now be able to stop at one location to retrieve their lost articles. On Oct. 18, the Lakewood Bus Shop will close its doors at 5 p.m. With this change, sales and bus information phone services will no longer be available on Saturdays. However, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligibility and training will remain at the Lakewood location. On Nov. 15, the downtown Tacoma Bus Shop on Commerce Street will close its doors at 4 p.m. Finally, on Nov. 18, the Tacoma Dome Station Bus Shop will begin its new operating hours. Walk-in sales will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and phone information will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hours may vary on or around holidays.

More information is available online at piercetransit.org.