Sound Transit touts 2018 ridership growth
Feb 22, 2019, 9:34 AM
The Auburn Sounder Station. (Sound Transit)
(Sound Transit)
Sound Transit says more and more people are using its services to get around the Puget Sound region.
Last year, the agency says ridership on Link Light rail increased 6.1 percent over 2017. Ridership on the Sounder Train increased 4.5 percent. Overall, ridership for the agency grew by 2.9 percent to more than 48 million riders.
Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff said of the growth, “Our steady ridership growth further confirms the urgency of the light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit expansions our region’s voters approved.”
The growth across the Puget Sound comes amid a national ridership decline. The American Public Transportation Association reports ridership declined 1.75 percent in the third quarter of 2018, compared to the same quarter in 2017. Light rail dipped more than 3.5 percent.
Sound Transit reports ridership on ST Express service dipped slightly and Tacoma Link ridership saw a decrease as a result of the Tacoma Dome renovations last year.
Link light rail is expected to reach Northgate in 2021, Bellevue in 2023, and Lynnwood and Federal Way in 2024. West Seattle and Ballard light rail extensions are slated to open in 2030 and 2035, respectively.
If you want a chance to weigh-in, Sound Transit is holding a few open houses soon on route and station alternatives for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project.
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave. SW
Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Ballard High School, 1418 NW 65th St.
Downtown Seattle, March 7, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Union Station, 401 South Jackson St.
Meanwhile, the agency is trying to find a location for its a new Operations and Maintenance Facility in South King County. One of those properties includes the land that the new Dick’s Drive-In in Kent sits atop.
You have a chance to weigh-in on that decision, as well.
Tuesday, March 12 6-8 p.m.
Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, 31510 Pete Von Reichbauer Way South, Federal Way
Wednesday, March 20 6-8 p.m.
Highline College, Building 8 – Mt. Olympus Room, 2400 South 240th Street, Des Moines
If you can’t make it in person, you can participate online through April 1.
