Downtown In Motion
Downtown In Motion offered community members who live in Downtown
Tacoma the opportunity to sign up and receive free transportation tools and customized
information packets. Participants were encouraged to use these tools to explore
downtown and beyond using healthier travel options. The program lasted from July 1, 2019 through September 22, 2019.
By walking, bicycling, taking the bus, riding Tacoma Link or
Sounder, and carpooling to get around town and beyond, residents save time and
money, while helping reduce traffic and parking congestion. When Downtown
Tacoma residents signed up, and filled out a short travel survey, they received a $20 ORCA card or rechargeable bike light, along with a customized
packet of transportation information.
Tacoma's In Motion Programs
Over the past five years, In Motion has reached over 281 people in Tacoma. The first In Motion program ran in the Stadium District in 2014-2015 and the second program in Hilltop between 2015-2016. In Motion program funding comes from a Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant. The purpose of the grant was to improve the health of the environment, specifically air quality, through the reduction of the use of motor vehicles.
In Motion programs have other positive community benefits such as increased community engagement through walking, getting to know your neighbors, and retaining more money locally from shopping at nearby stores and restaurants. Many small changes in how you get around your neighborhood can have significant impacts for you, the local economy and the community.
In Motion was a partnership between the City of Tacoma, Pierce Transit, Pierce County, Downtown On the Go, and Healthy Homes, Healthy Neighborhoods: Hilltop. Tacoma’s In Motion program is also supported by the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Commute Trip Reduction program.
Have other communities done something similar?
Programs like Hilltop In Motion and Stadium In Motion have been successful all over the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S. in neighborhoods such as Bronzeville in Chicago, White Center in King County, and Ballard in Seattle. More people are leaving their cars at home and walking, biking, and using transit to get to the places they visit every day, and they are helping their own health and the health of the environment as they do so.
For more information, contact tacomamobility@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 591-5380.