| Welcome to the fall edition of Sound Transit’s CTR newsletter! We’ve pulled together service-related and project-related highlights into one handy place for you to forward to your employees or professional network.
Operation Lifesaver (OLI) is rebranding Rail Safety Week as See Tracks? Think Train! Week. When it comes to track safety, it's important to remember trains can move on any track, in either direction, at any time. Trains are quieter and faster than you think, and it’s not safe to play, walk, or exercise near tracks. When you see tracks, think train and move away!
This year, See Tracks? Think Train! Week is happening Sept. 23-29, and Sound Transit will be out in the system spreading track safety messages and handing out train safety swag on Wednesday, Sept. 25. You can find our staff near our at-grade stations:
- 1 Line — Rainier Valley stations.
- 2 Line — Overlake Village and Redmond Technology stations.
- S Line stations — From Tacoma Dome Station to Puyallup.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
We are committed to keeping everyone safe, but we can’t do it alone. We need everyone to stay aware and alert when they’re around the tracks. Together, we can make sure everyone gets to their destination safely. Remember Sound Transit’s five safety messages:
- Look both ways. Trains come from both directions, so always expect a second train!
- Headphones off, screens down. It’s important to stay alert to be safe.
- Take crosswalks, not shortcuts. Trains always have the right of way, so pay attention to crossing signals.
- Stay behind the yellow line. The yellow strip creates a barrier between the train and the station platform.
- Bike smart and ride safe. When you’re riding a bike, always cross tracks at a 90-degree angle to prevent getting stuck.
The 1 Line now runs from Lynnwood to Angle Lake! On August 30, Sound Transit began 1 Line service to Lynnwood City Center with four new Link stations across 8.5 miles of new track. The new stations — Shoreline South/148th, Shoreline North/185th, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center — will enhance connectivity in the region, with Link trains running every 8 minutes during peak times, every 10 minutes during midday and on weekends, and every 12-15 minutes during late nights and early mornings.
Changes to ST Express and Sounder service are coming soon! Beginning September 14, 2024, ST Express Routes 512 and 513 will connect to the 1 Line at Lynnwood City Center instead of at Northgate. An all-new ST Express route, Route 515, will provide additional peak service between Lynnwood and Downtown Seattle. For Everett riders, Route 510 will continue to provide direct service to downtown Seattle. Additionally, more trips will be added to the Sounder N Line to better meet current demand between Everett and Seattle.
As of August 30, an adult one-way trip on both the 1 Line and 2 Line costs $3 flat. This new fare structure simplifies the payment process: just tap your ORCA card once before boarding at a Link station and enjoy your trip! This change makes it easier for you to budget and plan your trips on Link. Whether you’re commuting to work, catching a flight at Sea-Tac, heading to a game, or getting dinner with friends, your trip on Link light rail will be $3.
One-way fares for the T Line in Tacoma will remain $2. Youth under 18 ride for free, and reduced $1 fares are available now for seniors and other groups based on income and disability. Fare Ambassadors will check for proof of payment, and we encourage riders to keep their ORCA card or ride ticket handy.
In August, Sound Transit replaced the pictograms at Link stations with three-digit station codes. This change is designed to improve accessibility and navigation for all riders, particularly those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), visitors, and individuals with disabilities. While the pictograms were a familiar part of the system, they were not widely used and became challenging to adapt as the system expanded. The new station codes, based on international best practices seen in cities like Tokyo and Dubai, use universally recognized Arabic numerals, making it easier for different populations to navigate the Link light rail network.
The shift to three-digit station codes also ensures the system can grow with future Link expansions. Each station will receive a unique code, with the first digit referring to the Link line (1, 2, 3, or 4). The final two digits designate the station, starting with "50" at Westlake, our centermost station. Westlake is designated as “150” on the 1 Line, and once we connect the 2 Line, it will also be station “250.” Stations south of Westlake will have a higher number (i.e. International District/Chinatown station is “153”), while stations to the north will have a lower number (i.e. Lynnwood City Center station is “140”).
These three-digit codes offer a clear and consistent way to plan trips on Link. Extensive testing with LEP groups and cultural reviews informed the design of this new system, ensuring it is effective and user-friendly. While many riders might not use these station codes daily, for those who need them, they represent a significant leap forward in making our transit network easier to understand and use.
Why fight traffic when you can take Sound Transit to cheer on your favorite team? It’s an easy, affordable and reliable way to move around the region – and it doesn’t just have to be for your commute.
If you're a sports fan, riding Link or the bus is a great way to get to the game. Sounder can also be a great option when special event trains are running.
Just remember to expect more crowds than usual on game or event days and use an ORCA card or the Transit Go Ticket app to avoid long lines at ticket machines.
Sound Transit offers a variety of free services to enhance your Employee Transportation Program?
One of those services is transportation fairs! If you have a benefits fair, new hire fair, sustainability fair or other employee event, we can team up with you to present information on commuting options.
Have an upcoming commuter fair? Want more information? Let us know!
Arthur Bachus
Email: Arthur.Bachus@soundtransit.org
Phone: 206-553-3774 |
