On March 28, we finally celebrated the opening of the Cross Lake Connection, connecting the 1 Line and 2 Line from the west side of Lake Washington to the Eastside and marking the first time in the world that light rail runs across a floating bridge. This was a monumental moment for our region, one that I have fought for my entire career and fulfilling the promise we made to voters almost two decades ago.
Now light rail riders can make a quick and easy trip across the lake, to work, to sports and cultural events across the region, and to connect with friends and families throughout King County. It opens a world of opportunities and invites new and experienced transit riders to enjoy the benefits of fast, frequent, reliable transit.
If you are a new transit rider or have questions about how to ride, let’s cover some basics.
Where can you go?
Most people are familiar with the 1 Line, which runs north and south from Lynnwood to Seattle to Federal Way. The 2 Line runs from the east to the north from Downtown Redmond to Bellevue to Mercer Island. If you are traveling on the 2 Line seeking to go south from Seattle on the 1 Line, you can transfer at the International District Chinatown Station. If you are traveling on the 2 Line seeking to go north towards Lynnwood, you don’t need to transfer, simply stay on the train you originally boarded! Trains arrive approximately every 8-10 minutes from 5:00 AM-1:00 AM (frequencies are 12-15 minutes after 10:00 PM) Monday through Saturday and 6:00 AM-12:00 AM on Sundays. All stations are ADA accessible. You can use it to attend a Mariners game in SODO, visit Marymoor Park in Redmond, enjoy an easy commute, and more!
How do you pay?
You can pay your fares multiple ways.
ORCA Card:
If you have an ORCA card, you can tap on and off at all stations. You can also reload your ORCA card at:
- myorca.com
- myORCA app
- Ticket machines at each station
- By phone at (888) 988-6722
- QFF, Safeway, and Fred Meyer customer service
- ORCA Customer Service offices at
Other ways to pay:
Ticket machines at all light rail stations allow you to purchase one-way, return, or all-day rail tickets with cash or credit/debit cards.
If you have a smart phone, you can pay via the Transit GO ticket app or with your Google Wallet. The ORCA Card team has also finally rolled out contactless payment—tap your credit or debit card directly to pay your fare!
Reduced fares:
Adult fares on the 1 and 2 Lines are $3. This gives you 2 hours of riding and transfers. Youth ages 18 years and younger ride free! They are not required to have an ORCA card (but you can get a special youth ORCA card to get into the habit of tapping on and off).
Seniors 65+ and customers with eligible disabilities can enroll to get a discounted fare of $1 per trip. In addition, low-income households at 200% of the federal poverty level can apply for a discounted fare of $1 per trip and very low-income households at 80% of the federal poverty level and below can get a subsidized annual pass for a $0 per trip fare. You can apply for these options through the Community Health Access Program by calling (800) 756-5427, in person, by mail, or online.
What about safety?
Sound Transit takes safety on its vehicles very seriously and have made big investments recently to ensure everyone is and feels safe on our buses and trains. In an emergency, always call 911.
You can report any safety concerns to Sound Transit Security by calling or texting 206-398-5268 or email security@soundtransit.org. You can also contact Sound Transit Police, a unit of the King County Sheriff’s Office, for customer service non-emergencies at 206-903-7676 or stpolicecustomerservice@soundtransit.org. After hours, please use 206-296-3311.
Next week, the King County Council is on recess, so you will not receive our weekly newsletter. However, the District 6 office is still open and staffed, so please don’t hesitate to reach out by email at claudia.balducci@kingcounty.gov or by phone at (206) 477-1006. We look forward to hearing from you!
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