Sound Transit reworks communications system after 6-hour closure of two light rail stations

Sound Transit is reworking how it communicates with light rail passengers after a technical glitch with its fire-safety system closed two light rail stops for roughly six hours Thursday.

Four passengers affected by the closures told KIRO Newsradio that notification of the technical issue was not timely: they were not sure where to go after the shutdown, and Sound Transit gave conflicting answers of what to do after the stretch of rail between the University of Washington and Northgate stations shut down on Thursday.

The decision to improve the transportation agency’s communication follows Thursday’s incident, as well as a situation in November where a train leaving the University District station stopped on the tracks for long enough that passengers began to leave trains and enter the tunnel through emergency exits. The two events are unrelated, according to a Sound Transit spokesperson.

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“We have been working to improve our communication with riders during service interruptions and improve the speed and frequency of updates,” John Gallagher, public information officer with Sound Transit, wrote to KIRO Newsradio.

“In the coming months, we are moving Sound Transit-employed communications staff directly into the Link Control Center so they are centrally located to information and can speedily provide rider communications and updates. We are also moving to customize messages for intercoms and electronic signage at stations for rider alerts.”

Sound Transit declined to provide further information on the cause of the fire safety system glitch that resulted in the closures.