The Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners approved a contract to purchase up to 19 new ACCESS buses as part of its Dec. 2 meeting, which provides transportation for seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to use regular routed buses some or all of the time.

KT will purchase up to 10 26-foot low-floor buses and up to nine 22-foot buses for the dial-a-ride program. The contract was awarded to Model 1, a Mukilteo-based commercial vehicle dealer, and will cost an estimated $5,882,000, per KT. The purchase will use the Washington State Enterprise Services contract included in the 2026 budget. KT executive director John Clauson said the buses will likely be delivered in roughly eight months between order and delivery.

KT also approved Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for both the Ruby Creek Park and Ride in South Kitsap for $1,907,812, and the North Base Heavy Duty Maintenance Facility in Poulsbo for $21,250,000, per KT. Design work has been completed for both projects. Clauson said the approval includes oversight of reviewing change orders, reviewing engineering changes and permit compliance. “Staff will return to the board with the recommended award following the RFQ process,” per agency documents.

KT boardmember and Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu said the Ruby Creek Park and Ride will also include inductive charging units similar to the Silverdale Transit Center, adding, “It’s more than just a parking lot.”