Sound Transit

Last updated

Sound Transit
Sound Transit logo.svg
Seattle Union Station in 2016.jpg
Union Station, Sound Transit's headquarters since 1999
Agency overview
FormedSeptember 17, 1993 (1993-09-17)
Type Regional transit authority
Jurisdiction Seattle metropolitan area
Headquarters Union Station
401 S. Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
47°35′55″N122°19′4″W / 47.59861°N 122.31778°W / 47.59861; -122.31778
Motto"Ride the Wave"
Employees1,585 [1]
Annual budget$3.1 billion (2024) [1]
Agency executive
  • Goran Sparrman (interim), CEO
Key document
Website soundtransit.org

Sound Transit (ST), officially the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, is a public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. It manages the Link light rail system in Seattle and Tacoma, regional Sounder commuter rail, and Sound Transit Express bus service. The agency also coordinates the regional ORCA fare card system, which is also used by local transit operators. In 2019, Sound Transit services carried a total of 48 million passengers and averaged over 161,000 riders on weekdays.

Contents

Sound Transit was created in 1993 by King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to build a regional rapid transit system. After an unsuccessful proposal in 1995, the agency's plan for regional light rail, commuter rail, and express bus service, named "Sound Move", was approved in November 1996. ST began operating its express bus service in September 1999, taking over existing routes from local transit agencies. [2] The region's first commuter rail line, between Tacoma and Seattle, started in December 2000; the agency's first light rail line, Tacoma Link (now the T Line), began service in August 2003. Light rail service in Seattle on Central Link (now the 1 Line) began in 2009, and is the largest part of the Sound Transit system in terms of ridership. Union Station in Seattle has served as the agency's headquarters since its renovation in 1999. [3]

Sound Transit is independent of local transit agencies and is governed by an eighteen-member Board of Directors made up of elected officials from member jurisdictions and the Secretary of Transportation. It is funded by local sales taxes, property taxes, and motor vehicle excise taxes levied within its taxing district in portions of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. The agency has passed three major ballot measures to fund system expansion: Sound Move (1996), Sound Transit 2 (2008) and Sound Transit 3 (2016). Planning and construction of transit projects is scheduled to continue until 2041 under the Sound Transit 3 plan, which would expand the light rail network to 116 miles (187 km) and 83 stations.

Services

Sound Transit services
Northbound Link train at Othello Station (31003193486).jpg
A Link light rail train on 1 Line in Seattle
SDRX 905 at Everett Station (18939778876).jpg
A Sounder commuter train at Everett Station
Sound Transit double-decker bus 91711 on route 512, August 2018.jpg
A double-decker Sound Transit Express bus on Interstate 5 in north Seattle

Sound Transit operates three main transit services across the Seattle metropolitan area: the Link light rail system in Seattle and Tacoma; the Sounder commuter rail system from Everett to Lakewood, via Seattle; and the Sound Transit Express bus system across the three counties. In 2019, these systems carried more than 48 million passengers, averaging 161,238 riders per day on weekdays. [4] All three modes accept cash payment and mobile tickets as well as the regional ORCA card, a contactless proximity card with stored fares and passes. [5]

The Link light rail system encompasses three lines with 45.1 miles (72.6 km) of track and 43 stations. The three lines, which have no direct connection, are the 1 Line between Seattle, Tukwila, and SeaTac; the 2 Line between Bellevue and Redmond; and the T Line in central Tacoma. [6] Link trains carried 25 million passengers in 2019, averaging 82,783 on weekdays, [4] making it the 10th-busiest light rail system in the United States.[ citation needed ]

Link trains generally run seven days a week at frequencies of 6 to 24 minutes, with stops spaced closely together. Most stations offer connections to nearby buses or a park and ride facility. [5] The system is planned to expand to 83 stations and 116 miles (187 km) by 2041, with five lines serving all three counties. [7] [8] 1 Line and 2 Line trains are operated and maintained under contract with King County Metro and are able to carry more passengers, serving as the regional rapid transit system. [9] T Line trains are akin to streetcars, unable to be coupled into pairs, and are the only Sound Transit service to be directly operated and maintained by the agency rather than a contractor. [9] : 54 

Sounder commuter rail

Sounder is the regional commuter rail service managed by Sound Transit and has two lines that intersect at King Street Station in Downtown Seattle. Trains generally run during rush hours with limited service at other times, including weekend trains for special events. The N Line connects Seattle to Everett, stopping at two intermediate stations in Snohomish County. The S Line connects Seattle to Tacoma and Lakewood, stopping at six other stations. [10] Trains are operated under contract by BNSF Railway on leased tracks and maintained under contract by Amtrak. [11]

Sound Transit Express

Sound Transit Express is a network of 24 limited-stop express bus routes providing regional service to cities in all three counties, primarily using a network of high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV lanes) on state-maintained freeways. Some routes operate seven days a week, while others are limited to rush hours only. [5] [12] The bus fleet is owned by Sound Transit and buses are operated and maintained under contracts with local transit authorities (Community Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit). [13]

Stride

A bus rapid transit system, named "Stride", was funded by the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure and is scheduled to open in the late 2020s. [14] Stride is planned to have three lines: the S1 Line on Interstate 405 between Burien and Bellevue, scheduled to open in late 2028; the S2 Line on Interstate 405 between Bellevue and Lynnwood, scheduled to open in 2029; and the S3 Line on State Route 522 between Shoreline South/148th station and Bothell, scheduled to open in 2028. [15]

Paratransit

Sound Transit contracts with Community Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit to provide paratransit service along the Link light rail network in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Costs are split equally between Sound Transit and the contracted provider within the Link corridor. [16] The agency is not required to operate paratransit service along Sounder and Sound Transit Express routes. [17]

Organization

Management

Sound Transit has 1,585 full-time employees as of 2023 and is headquartered at Union Station in Seattle. [1] The interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Sound Transit is Goran Sparrman, who was appointed in 2024 following the resignation of Julie Timm. [18] Timm was the head of the Greater Richmond Transit Company in Virginia prior to her hiring in 2022. [19] Her predecessor was Peter Rogoff, the former Federal Transit Administrator from 2009 to 2014. Rogoff was hired in 2015 and succeeded Joni Earl, a former city administrator who became Sound Transit CEO in 2001. [20]

The agency has three oversight committees that are filled by citizens from the Sound Transit district. The Citizen Oversight Panel oversees compliance to board policies and financial plans, and is composed of 15 members serving four-year terms after their appointment by the board of directors. [21] The Diversity Oversight Committee promotes employment and contracting opportunities for underprivileged groups and includes members representing community organizations and business organizations. [22] The Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee has 15 members who represent passengers with disabilities, mobility issues, or are senior citizens. The advisory committee monitors the agency's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other accessibility requirements. [23]

Board of directors

Sound Transit is governed by a board of directors with 18 members who are appointed based on their positions in regional and local governments. One seat is held by the Washington State Secretary of Transportation, while the remaining seventeen are allocated proportional to their population within the Sound Transit district, with each seat representing approximately 145,000 people. [24] [25] The three county executives of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties are members of the board and also appoint their remaining seats from local elected positions with approval of the county councils. [26]

The agency's policies are set by the board through their decisions, including maintenance of the long-range plan, budget, and project details. The full board meets at Union Station on the fourth Thursday of the month, which are open to the public and streamed online. [27] The board selects a Chair and two Vice Chairs to serve two-year terms and also assign members to four committees: the Executive Committee, Rider Experience and Operations, System Expansion, and Finance and Audit. [28] In the event that the Chair or Vice Chairs leave office or are otherwise unable to serve their full term, the vacancy can be filled by another member for the remainder of the term. [29]

As of 2024, the board members are: [30]

MemberPositionCounty
Dow Constantine (Chair) King County ExecutiveKing
Dave Somers (Vice Chair) Snohomish County ExecutiveSnohomish
Nancy BackusMayor, City of Auburn King/Pierce
Claudia Balducci Councilmember, King CountyKing
Angela BirneyMayor, City of Redmond King
Bruce Dammeier Pierce County ExecutivePierce
Cassie FranklinMayor, City of Everett Snohomish
Christine FrizzellMayor, City of Lynnwood Snohomish
Bruce Harrell Mayor, City of Seattle King
Roger Millar Washington Secretary of Transportation N/A
Ed PrinceCouncilmember, City of Renton King
Kim RoscoeMayor, City of Fife Pierce
Dan Strauss Councilmember, City of SeattleKing
Dave Upthegrove Council Chair, King CountyKing
Peter von Reichbauer Councilmember, King CountyKing
Kristina WalkerCouncilmember, City of Tacoma Pierce
Girmay Zahilay Council Vice Chair, King CountyKing
Mark RikerLabor LiaisonN/A

Funding

Sound Transit's budget is primarily funded through local taxes levied within the regional transit district in the urbanized portions of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. These taxes, which comprise 63 percent of the total 2017–2046 budget, are composed of a 1.4 percent sales tax, a 0.8 percent motor vehicle excise tax, a 0.8 percent rental car tax, and a property tax of up to 25 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. [1] The remaining 37 percent includes grants and bonds from the federal government, loans, interests, and passenger fares. [1]

The agency has three major ballot measures that were approved by voters to fund system expansion: Sound Move (1996), Sound Transit 2 (2008), and Sound Transit 3 (2016). Planning and construction of new transit projects is anticipated to continue until 2046 under the Sound Transit 3 plan and are forecast to cost $148 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars. [31] Approximately 51 percent of the long-range budget is allocated towards capital construction, while operations and maintenance comprise up 27 percent. [1] The 2024 budget has $3.1 billion in expenses and $2.9 billion in expected revenue; it includes $638 million for operations and $2.2 billion for capital projects. [1]

Police

King County Sheriff's Office patrol car in Sound Transit Police livery. Sound Transit Police.jpg
King County Sheriff's Office patrol car in Sound Transit Police livery.

Sound Transit contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services. Deputies assigned to Sound Transit wear Sound Transit uniforms and drive patrol cars marked with the Sound Transit logo. There is currently one chief, one captain, five sergeants, four detectives, 23 patrol officers, and a crime analyst [32] assigned full-time to Sound Transit.

Sound Transit officers patrol Sound Transit property around Puget Sound including vehicles (trains & buses) and stations.

History

Background

Throughout the 20th century, Seattle planners and voters rejected various proposals for rapid transit systems. The Forward Thrust program of the late 1960s produced two ballot measures for a rapid transit system that were unable to pass with the state-required supermajority for bonds. Federal funding that was allocated to the project was instead sent to Atlanta, Georgia, forming the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. The Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Metro), the regional water quality agency, took over bus operations in King County and the city of Seattle on January 1, 1973, after approval from voters in response to the failure of Forward Thrust.

The Puget Sound Council of Governments, an inter-county planning agency, partnered with Metro to complete a light rail corridor study in 1986. The regional transportation plan was amended the following year to include rail transit, and the Washington State Legislature formed a State Rail Development Commission to study a regional transit system with light rail, commuter rail and express buses.

Establishment

The predecessor to Sound Transit was a 1995 ballot measure that was rejected by voters because of its $6.7 billion cost. [33] The first Sound Transit ballot measure passed in 1996 as the current mix of buses, commuter rail and light rail, at a cost of $3.9 billion. By proposing a much smaller light rail system, the remaining funds could be used for the two other services, ensuring that the entire Seattle area received services from the measure.

Sound Transit started out in scandal. The agency faced a crisis of financial mismanagement and poor planning, and federal officials ordered an audit in 2000 and pulled promised funding. After a series of executives resigned in 2001, Joni Earl took the helm and is widely credited with saving the agency. Largely, this was by being more realistic and being more honest with the public — reportedly she used the slogan "Optimism is not our friend." Largely due to her efforts, by 2003 Sound Transit received a clean financial audit, and was re-rewarded the funding lost two years earlier. Despite this, the earlier crisis required Earl to drop about one-third of the originally promised light rail line. [34]

Sound Transit 2

2007 vote

Sound Transit 2 (ST2) was part of a joint ballot measure with the Regional Transportation Investment District entitled Roads and Transit, which was presented to Snohomish, King, and Pierce county voters on November 6, 2007. Sound Transit 2 would have made a number of mass transit related improvements, as well as a series of highway improvements. [35] These changes included almost 50 miles (80 km) in new light rail lines, four new parking garages, two new Sounder stations, a streetcar line connecting First Hill, Capitol Hill, and the International District, a transit center in Bothell, and two expansion studies, one for studying rapid transit across the SR-520 floating bridge and the other studying the use of the Woodinville Subdivision between Renton and Woodinville. [36] The ballot measure was defeated by voters. [37]

2008 vote

The Sound Transit Board on July 24, 2008 voted to put a reduced Sound Transit 2 plan before voters. It passed by large margins (58% to 42%) on November 4, 2008. [38] [39] The financial plan for the measure shows $17.8 billion expenditure over 15 years, funded with a 5-10% rise in the regional general sales tax, which essentially doubles Sound Transit's revenue. Light rail service will be extended from the currently funded northern terminus at Husky Stadium north to Lynnwood. To the south, the tracks will continue from the current southern terminus at Sea-Tac Airport to the northern edge of Federal Way. The proposed East Link Light Rail will depart from Downtown Seattle and end in Overlake via Bellevue. A First Hill Connector (streetcar) was proposed from Capitol Hill station to the Jackson Street terminus of the former Waterfront Streetcar. In total, 36 miles (58 km) of new two-way light rail track were approved by this measure. [40]

Sounder Commuter Rail will receive longer and more frequent trains, for a 30% increase in service. Express Bus service will be immediately boosted (17% increase in service; 25 additional buses) and Highway 520 will receive a bus rapid transit line. A new commuter rail line is proposed to run from North Renton to Snohomish if additional funding beyond the Sound Transit taxes is secured. [41]

Sound Transit 3

Sound Transit 3 was a ballot measure that was approved by voters during the November 2016 elections in King, Pierce, and Snohomish in Washington. The $53.8 billion Sound Transit 3 plan will expand the existing Link light rail system to the suburbs of Tacoma, Federal Way, Everett and Issaquah, as well as the Seattle neighborhoods of Ballard and West Seattle. The local portion of the measure would be partially funded by increases in sales tax, motor vehicle excise tax, and property tax.

The resulting transit network after the completion of Sound Transit 3 will include 62 miles (100 km) of additional light rail serving 37 new stations; the entire, 116-mile (187 km) light rail system would carry an estimated 600,000 daily passengers. A Sounder commuter rail extension to DuPont and bus rapid transit lines on State Route 522 and Interstate 405 are also part of the package. [42] The package's projects would open in stages from 2024 to 2041. [43]

Projects

University Link is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) extension of the Central Link light rail line (now part of the 1 Line) which opened on March 19, 2016. Construction on the line began on March 6, 2009, and completed in early 2016. [44] The line is underground for its entire route and connects downtown Seattle to the University of Washington via Capitol Hill. The cost of the extension was about $1.9 billion with half of the funding coming from a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

The South 200th Link Extension [45] is a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) extension of the Link Light Rail system. Construction on the line began in May 2013 and opened to the public September 24, 2016. The line is elevated for its entire route and connects Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to the new Angle Lake station and park-and-ride garage at South 200th Street in SeaTac.

The Northgate Link Extension was approved in the 2008 ballot measure, began construction in 2012, and was opened on October 2, 2021. It extended light rail service from the University of Washington to Northgate station, with two intermediate stops along a mostly-tunneled route in north Seattle. [46] The T Line was extended to the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma on September 16, 2023. The 2.4-mile (3.9 km) extension included seven stations and cost $283 million to construct. [47] A further expansion, expected to open around 2040, plans to extend the line west on South 19th Street to the Tacoma Community College campus. [48]

Under construction

The 2 Line, also known as the East Link Extension, will connect Seattle to Bellevue and Redmond using the Interstate 90 floating bridge. It would terminate at the Microsoft Redmond campus in Redmond's Overlake area. Construction began in 2016 and is expected to open in phases between 2024 and 2025. [49] [50]

The Lynnwood Link Extension will further extend the 1 Line and 2 Line from Northgate to Lynnwood, via stations at NE 145th Street, NE 185th Street, and Mountlake Terrace. [51] Despite concerns that President Trump's proposed budget could cut federal funding for the project, [52] in Fiscal Year 2017, Sound Transit received $100 million of the requested $1.2 billion in federal funding. [53] This funding was followed up in Fiscal Year 2018 with another $100 million. [54] At the end of Fiscal Year 2018, the full $1.2 billion grant, as well as $650 million in low-interest loans were approved by Congress, fully securing the requested federal funding. [55]

The Federal Way Link Extension is planned to extend the 1 Line from Angle Lake station to Redondo/Star Lake, in a plan approved by the region's voters in November 2008. Construction on the project began in 2020 and it will add 7.8-mile (12.6 km) of track with stations at Highline Community College, the Star Lake Park & Ride, and Federal Way Transit Center, primarily following Interstate 5. [56]

Funded projects

Under Sound Transit 3, which was approved in 2016, Sound Transit services will expand with $54 billion in funding (combining local taxes and federal grants) over a 25-year period generally beginning with the completion of Sound Transit 2. The measure will add 62 miles (100 km) of light rail, with the completed 116-mile (187 km) system carrying an estimated 500,000 riders per day. [57] The plan also funds Sound Transit Express bus routes, adds three bus rapid transit lines and expands Sounder commuter rail with longer trains, potentially better frequency and two additional stations in Tillicum (near Joint Base Lewis–McChord) and DuPont.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2024 Financial Plan & Adopted Budget" (PDF). Sound Transit. December 2023. pp. 2–9, 19–20, 59. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Sound Transit marks 10 years of serving customers" (Press release). Sound Transit. September 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Regional Transit System Planning and History". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Q4 2019 Service Delivery Quarterly Performance Report" (PDF). Sound Transit. February 27, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "New to Sound Transit?". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Schedules". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  7. ↑ Cho, Aileen (August 5, 2024). "Providing Safe, 'Sound' Transit in the Emerald City". Engineering News-Record . Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Pierce County 2019 Regional Report" (PDF). Sound Transit. January 2019. p. 8. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "2019 Washington State Rail System Plan" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. December 2019. p. 20. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ "2020 Service Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. November 2019. pp. 4, 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Transit Development Plan 2023–2028 and 2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 2023. p. 10. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  12. ↑ Lindblom, Mike; Beekman, Daniel (March 16, 2019). "Sound Transit CEO considers outside contractors to run Highway 520 buses". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Stride bus rapid transit: Frequently asked questions" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 2023. pp. 1–4. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Sound Transit sets baseline budget, schedule for Stride Bus Rapid Transit" (Press release). Sound Transit. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2024-48" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Transit accessibility". Sound Transit. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Sound Transit Board approves Goran Sparrman's appointment as interim CEO" (Press release). Sound Transit. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (June 23, 2022). "Sound Transit approves $375,000 contract with new CEO Julie Timm". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  19. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (November 19, 2015). "New Sound Transit CEO excited by big light-rail expansion plans". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Citizen Oversight Panel". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Sound Transit exceeds goals for disadvantaged business participation, workforce diversity" (Press release). Sound Transit. March 9, 2017. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC)". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  23. ↑ "The Board's role". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  24. ↑ "RCW 81.112.040: Board appointments—Voting—Expenses". Revised Code of Washington . Washington State Legislature. 1994. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  25. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (November 17, 2016). "State senator calls for direct elections of Sound Transit board member". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Board meetings". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Redmond Mayor John Marchione appointed chair of Sound Transit Board" (Press release). Sound Transit. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  28. ↑ "University Place Mayor Kent Keel appointed chair of Sound Transit Board" (Press release). Sound Transit. December 19, 2019. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Board Members". Sound Transit. December 2019. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  30. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (March 29, 2024). "Sound Transit will pay $600K to new megaproject leader hired from LAX". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  31. ↑ Earl, Joni (February 26, 2010). "Sound Transit: CEO Corner". Archived from the original on August 15, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  32. ↑ Sane Transit v. Sound Transit, 151Wn.2d60 , 64(The Supreme Court of WashingtonMar 4, 2004)("After the voters rejected Sound Transit's 1995 proposal for a $6.9 billion, 16-year regional transit plan, Sound Transit promulgated a second, less ambitious plan in May 1996.").
  33. ↑ "How Joni Earl saved light rail | Crosscut". Crosscut. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  34. ↑ Larry Lange (April 26, 2007). "Sound Transit expansion ballot-bound". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 27, 2007.
  35. ↑ "Sound Transit completes major transit expansion package for November Roads & Transit vote" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 26, 2007. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  36. ↑ Larry Lange (November 7, 2007). "Proposition 1: Voters hit the brakes". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
  37. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (November 5, 2008). "Sound Transit calls Prop. 1 a gift "to our grandchildren"". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Election 2008 | Complete results — Ballot measures". The Seattle Times. November 5, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Sound Transit System Expansion -- News Release". Sound Transit. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  40. ↑ "Sound Transit System Expansion -- What's Proposed". Sound Transit. August 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2008.
  41. ↑ "Sound Transit 3 Overview". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Sound Transit takes its game to the next level with kickoff of massive infrastructure investments" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 27, 2017. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  43. ↑ David Schaefer (November 8, 1996). "Voters Back Transit Plan On Fourth Try". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
  44. ↑ "South 200th Link Extension". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  45. ↑ Lindblom, Mike; Baruchman, Michelle (October 2, 2021). "New light-rail stations now open at U District, Roosevelt and Northgate". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  46. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (September 16, 2023). "Sound Transit's Tacoma streetcar climbs the Hilltop starting this weekend". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Tacoma Link Expansion". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  48. ↑ Murray, Ryan (April 25, 2016). "Sound Transit breaks ground in Bellevue". Bellevue Reporter . Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  49. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (August 24, 2023). "Eastside-only light rail should open in March, Sound Transit says". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Lynnwood Link Extension Project". Sound Transit Projects. Sound Transit. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  51. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (March 16, 2017). "Puget Sound transit projects would lose big under Trump budget". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Lynnwood Link light rail extension receives $100 million federal appropriation" (Press release). Sound Transit. May 4, 2017. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Federal Transit Administration allocates $100 million in FY 2018 funding for Lynnwood Link light rail extension" (Press release). Sound Transit. September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  54. ↑ "Federal Transit Administration executes $1.17 billion grant and $658 million loan for Lynnwood light rail" (Press release). Sound Transit. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  55. ↑ Sullivan, Olivia (July 16, 2020). "Sound Transit breaks ground on Federal Way Link Extension". Federal Way Mirror. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  56. ↑ Lindblom, Mike (March 24, 2016). "$50B Sound Transit proposal: big taxes, big spending, big plan". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
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Link light rail is a light rail rapid transit system serving the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is managed by Sound Transit in partnership with local transit providers, and consists of three non-connected lines: the 1 Line in King County and Snohomish County, which travels for 33 miles (53 km) between Lynnwood, Seattle, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport; the 2 Line in King County's Eastside region between Bellevue and Redmond; and the T Line in Pierce County, which runs for 4 miles (6.4 km) between Downtown Tacoma and Tacoma Dome Station. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 23.9 million, or about 88,000 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024, primarily on the 1 Line. Trains run at frequencies of 6 to 24 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swift Bus Rapid Transit</span> Bus rapid transit service in Snohomish County, Washington

Swift Bus Rapid Transit is a bus rapid transit system operated by Community Transit in Snohomish County, Washington, part of the Seattle metropolitan area. Swift consists of three routes that total over 40 miles (64 km) in length. The Blue Line, opened in 2009, runs on the State Route 99 corridor between Everett and Shoreline. The Green Line opened in 2019 and runs from the Boeing Everett Factory to Mill Creek and Bothell via State Route 527. It was followed by the Orange Line, which connects Lynnwood to Mill Creek, in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynnwood Transit Center</span> Bus station and light rail station in Lynnwood, Washington

Lynnwood Transit Center is a bus station and light rail station in Lynnwood, Washington. It is the largest transit hub in southwestern Snohomish County and is served by Community Transit and Sound Transit Express. The transit center also includes a parking garage with 1,670 spaces and bicycle facilities.

Roads and Transit was a ballot measure in the U.S. State of Washington concerning transportation, that was sent to voters in the Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties for approval on November 6, 2007. It was defeated by a margin of 56% to 44%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SeaTac/Airport station</span> Light rail station in SeaTac, Washington

SeaTac/Airport station is a light rail station in SeaTac, Washington, serving Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. It is on the 1 Line between Angle Lake and Tukwila International Boulevard stations. The line, part of Sound Transit's Link light rail system, runs north from SeaTac through the Rainier Valley to Downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. The station consists of an elevated island platform east of the terminals and parking garage of the airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tukwila International Boulevard station</span> Light rail station in Tukwila, Washington

Tukwila International Boulevard station is a light rail station in Tukwila, Washington, United States. It is located between SeaTac/Airport and Rainier Beach stations on the 1 Line from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Downtown Seattle. The station consists of two elevated side platforms enclosed within a structure northeast of the interchange of State Route 99 and State Route 518. As one of seven park and rides along the line, it includes 600 parking spaces in two lots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SODO station (Sound Transit)</span> Light rail station in Seattle, Washington

SODO station is a light rail station located in Seattle, Washington. It is situated between the Beacon Hill and Stadium stations on the 1 Line, which runs from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to Downtown Seattle and the University of Washington as part of the Link light rail system. The station consists of two at-grade side platforms at the intersection of the SODO Busway and South Lander Street in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Link light rail</span>

Link light rail in the Seattle metropolitan area of Washington is a light rail system managed by Sound Transit since its inception in 1996. As of 2024, it consists of the 1 Line, the 2 Line, and the T Line; with several extensions under construction and other lines in planning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Washington station</span> Light rail station in Seattle, Washington

University of Washington station is a light rail station on the University of Washington campus in Seattle, Washington, United States. The station is served by the 1 Line of Sound Transit's Link light rail system, which connects Northgate, Downtown Seattle, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. University of Washington station is at the intersection of Montlake Boulevard Northeast and Northeast Pacific Street, adjacent to Husky Stadium and the University of Washington Medical Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northgate station (Sound Transit)</span> Light rail and bus station in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Northgate is a light rail and bus station in the Northgate neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States, and part of 1 Line on Sound Transit's Link light rail system. The transit center, located adjacent to the Northgate Mall, has four bus bays served by 22 routes. The station also has parking for 1,475 vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angle Lake station</span> Light rail station in SeaTac, Washington

Angle Lake station is a Link light rail station in SeaTac, Washington. The elevated station is the southern terminus of the 1 Line, which travels north to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, the Rainier Valley, Downtown Seattle, and North Seattle, including the University of Washington. It also includes a large parking garage for passengers.

The Lynnwood Link extension is a Link light rail extension traveling north from Northgate to Lynnwood in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The 8.5-mile (13.7 km) light rail extension includes stations in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Shoreline along Interstate 5. It is served by 1 Line when it opened on August 30, 2024, and the 2 Line in 2025. The project was funded by the Sound Transit 2 (ST2) package approved by voters in November 2008, and began construction in 2019. Ridership is expected to be 47,000 to 55,000 daily on the section in 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoreline North/185th station</span> Link light rail station in Shoreline, Washington, U.S.

Shoreline North/185th station is a Link light rail station on the Lynnwood Link Extension serving Shoreline, Washington. The station is located in a trench on the east side of Interstate 5, on the north side of Northeast 185th Street. It includes an adjacent bus station and two-story parking garage with 360 stalls. The station opened on August 30, 2024, with the rest of the line. Shoreline North/185th station also serves as the terminus of the Swift Blue Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountlake Terrace station</span> Light rail station in Washington state, U.S.

Mountlake Terrace is a bus station and light rail station in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, U.S. It is served by the 1 Line of Sound Transit's Link light rail system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sound Transit 3</span> Transit referendum in the Seattle metropolitan area

Sound Transit 3, abbreviated as ST3, was a ballot measure during the November 2016 elections in Seattle, Washington, proposing an expansion of the regional public transit system. The measure was proposed by Sound Transit, which was established by a similar initiative passed in 1996 and expanded by the Sound Transit 2 vote in 2008, who have operated regional transit systems in the Seattle metropolitan area since 1999. On November 8, 2016, Sound Transit 3 was approved by over 54 percent of voters in the Puget Sound region; voters in Pierce County rejected the measure, but the measure passed in King and Snohomish counties, and had an overall majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swift Blue Line</span> Bus rapid transit route in Snohomish County, Washington

The Swift Blue Line is a bus rapid transit route operated by Community Transit in Snohomish County, Washington, as part of the Swift system. The Blue Line is 16.7 miles (26.9 km) long and runs on the State Route 99 and Evergreen Way corridor between Everett Station and Shoreline North/185th station. It has 36 stations in the cities of Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and Shoreline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swift Orange Line</span> Bus rapid transit route in Washington, U.S.

The Swift Orange Line is a bus rapid transit line in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is the third line of the Swift Bus Rapid Transit system operated by Community Transit and opened in March 2024. The 11-mile (18 km) line runs from Edmonds College to McCollum Park, generally serving the cities of Lynnwood and Mill Creek with 16 stations. The Orange Line provides connections between the existing Swift Blue and Green lines, Edmonds College, Alderwood Mall, and Lynnwood Transit Center—the future terminus of the Link light rail system.

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