Olympia’s Route ONE Ends Saturday as Petition Fails to Save It

Intercity Transit's **Route ONE**, serving Martin Way in Olympia, Washington, will discontinue operations after its final run this Saturday, May 2, 2026. The route's end comes despite a community petition garnering 270 signatures to preserve it, as first reported by The Olympian. It will be replaced by Routes 9X and 50 under a sweeping bus system redesign effective Sunday, May 3.

The redesign eliminates 17 routes across Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and surrounding areas, including popular lines like 12 (West Tumwater), 14 (Capitol Campus), and several West Olympia services such as 41, 45, 47 and 48. Route ONE, a staple for commuters along Martin Way, drew emotional responses from users who relied on its reliability for work, shopping and school. Organizers of the failed petition highlighted impacts on low-income riders and those without cars in the petition drive.

A farewell celebration is set for Saturday afternoon at a yet-to-be-specified Olympia location, allowing riders to share memories and board the last trips. Intercity Transit maps detail the new network, with Routes 9X offering express service and 50 covering similar Martin Way paths. Officials cite improved efficiency and coverage as redesign goals, though some residents worry about service gaps during transition.

As of Sunday, the updated schedules and interactive maps will be live on Intercity Transit's website, urging riders to plan ahead via route-specific links. The changes affect thousands in Thurston County, where public transit remains vital amid rising fuel costs and urban growth.