New Kitsap Transit data shows underutilization of park and ride facilities on Bainbridge Island and countywide.

BI is served by four park and ride lots: American Legion Post, Bethany Lutheran Church, Island Church and Day Road & Highway 305.

A public records request to KT found the highest year-to-date utilization between January and April on BI is Day Road & Hwy 305 at 37%. Bethany Lutheran Church had a utilization of 21% and Island Church at 17%. American Legion Post has low utilization, and a year-to-date average wasn’t available.

Systemwide KT has 2713 spaces available with a year-to-date average of 742 spaces being used or a 27% utilization rate.

KT executive director John Clauson said before 2020 the park and ride utilization rates were higher. He attributed some of the decrease in demand to changing travel patterns, as not as many people are working in-person five days a week.

In 2019, KT had 104% utilization at Day Road & Hwy 305, 80% at American Legion, 53% at Bethany Lutheran and 40% at Island Church, Clauson wrote.

The Kitsap Economic Alliance estimates in 2024, the average commute time was 29 minutes. 86,609 commuters drove alone, 11,023 commuters carpooled, and 8,385 commuters used public transit. While roughly 15,146 people worked from home.

“KT always strives to improve utilization rates. Park and rides are not only built for today but also taking into consideration the future travel patterns, county growth and increased congestion on the roadways. While the current utilization rates are lower than they have been in the past, we are starting to see a return of users,” Clauson said.

Clauson said several of the benefits of using park and rides include: reducing the cost of driving and parking, being easily accessible from county roads, are served by frequent bus service and are safe with security cameras and frequent security patrols.

“Park and rides are open to everyone, you don’t need to ride a bus to use them. You may park your vehicles at these sites to join a carpool or a vanpool. We encourage anyone to reduce the drive-alone commute using any method that works best for them,” he said.

Park and ride lots are designed for short-term parking, i.e, 24 hours or less, and are free unless otherwise noted, per KT.

To learn more about KT park and ride facilities, visit; www.kitsaptransit.com/rider-resources/park-and-ride-lots