| Welcome to the summer edition of Sound Transit’s CTR newsletter. A lot has changed since the March edition. Transit agencies around the region have been responding to COVID-19, implementing additional safety measures while in many cases having to reduce service levels. As our region starts to get moving again, we’re doing everything we can to keep our riders and operators safe. Read on to learn more.
We have learned that becoming an antiracist organization requires much more than merely saying the right things. It requires proving our commitment through action. Read the full statement from our Chief Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion Officer.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, transit agencies across the Puget Sound region have had to reduce service. Sounder, ST Express and Link light rail all continue to run less frequently, with some ST Express bus routes temporarily canceled. The good news is that we recently ramped up service on Link as well as ST Express routes serving Pierce County, and Tacoma Link continues to run normally. And starting this weekend, full service will be restored on Saturdays to ST Express route 550. Since this is an evolving situation, we encourage you to bookmark the Reduced Service page, follow us on Twitter or sign up for Rider Alerts to receive real-time updates.
Your health and safety are our priority. We are doing everything we can to help keep you safe, including cleaning Link and Sounder trains daily and disinfecting high-touch areas like ticket machines and handrails. In addition, operators and security staff are wearing masks. To help keep yourself and others safe while riding, please cover your face, maintain the proper social distance whenever possible and consider using touch-free options to pay for your trip.
You or someone you know might qualify for reduced fares, which are available for youth, senior, disabled and low-income riders. With ORCA LIFT, income-qualified riders can save up to 66% on Sound Transit and other regional transit service. Apply online or call Public Health (800‐756‐5437).
We are here for you as we help with the region’s economic recovery. During the month of June, Link fares will be $1 and Sounder fares will be $2, regardless of distance traveled, and are only available through the ticket machines or the Transit Go ticket app. We hope the temporary Recovery Fares makes riding a little easier — and affordable — for those who need it.
On July 1st fares will resume on ST Express. Fare collection is dependent on the completion of safety measures being installed at the front of our buses, so some routes may continue to be fare-free until these measures are complete. As a reminder, fares resumed on Link light rail and Sounder trains on June 1. Information about the resumption of bus fares can be found here.
When fare collection resumes, Sound Transit will also transition to a single flat fare of $3.25 for all regular Adult riders on ST Express, regardless of distance traveled. Flat fares for ORCA LIFT, youth, seniors and riders with disabilities were implemented in July 2018. The new fare system aligns ST Express service with the flat fares charged by other regional agencies, including King County Metro and Community Transit. By eliminating fare zones, this change increases fares by 50 cents for trips within one county, and reduces fares by 50 cents for trips that cross county lines.
The COVID-19 crisis is greatly reducing revenue Sound Transit relies upon to expand our regional transit system. As businesses remain closed and people stay home, sales tax revenues critical to funding transit construction have declined rapidly. The Sound Transit Board is undertaking a process called realignment to reduce spending by considering changes to plans and timelines for transit expansion projects. Our first priority is to minimize effects on major projects currently in construction or under contract. These include light rail extensions to Northgate, Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way and the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension.
While realignment moves forward, Sound Transit will continue to work with community partners to advance projects that are in the planning phase. Projects in earlier phases of development will not move out of their current phases (such as preliminary engineering or final design) before the Board completes the realignment process.
As people begin to return to work in higher numbers, please remember to check the Reduced Service page and be ready for any service changes that may have taken place while you have been away! One notable change: Metro’s Route 255 no longer serves downtown Seattle. It will now take riders from the Eastside to the University of Washington Station where they can connect to Link light rail to continue their trip into downtown.
Also, Redmond Technology Station, previously known as Overlake Transit Center, is currently closed for construction. Riders can access their bus routes at SR-520 & NE 40th St or along 156th Ave. NE. Check out the map or the rider alert for more information.
As a part of ongoing Lynnwood Link Extension construction, the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Freeway Station serving Community Transit routes 410, 413, 415, 435 and Sound Transit routes 511, 512 and 513 will close starting July 6 for approximately four and a half months. While the freeway station is closed, commuters can continue to use the Park & Ride, and there will be a free temporary shuttle service to downtown Seattle. Board the shuttle at Bay #3 on 236th Street SW (see photo above). There will be no changes to other bus routes using bays 1-4. Visit our Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station closure webpage to learn more, and download the shuttle schedule.
The Lynnwood Link Extension is a key part of Sound Transit’s mass transit system expansion. It is slated to open in 2024. The 8.5-mile project will connect the Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Lynnwood neighborhoods to a regional light rail system that will eventually grow to 116 miles.
We have a library of coloring sheets and paper cutout trains and buses available on our “Fun at Home” gallery for you to download and print at home! Check them out here.
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