Seattle-Area Light Rail Breaks Ridership Record, Again

Thanks to a new extension and reorganized connecting bus lines, the Link light rail system topped 3 million rides in October.

1 minute read

December 18, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction

White Sound Transit Link light rail train at station in Bellevue, Washington.

Ridership on the 2 Line dropped slightly as the Eastside awaits completion of the full light rail line, but growth on the 1 Line still led to record-breaking ridership totals. | IanDewarPhotography / Adobe Stock

Seattle’s Link light rail system broke ridership records for the third month running, reports Bryce Kolton for The Urbanist.

According to Kolton, “Spurred by the new Lynnwood Link expansion, subsequent multi-agency bus route reconfigurations, and the usual hustle and bustle of fall festivities, Link continues to show extremely strong growth.”

October 2024 was the first month in Sound Transit history that the system topped 3 million riders, as well as the first month when bus routes were fully restructured to align with the new Lynnwood Link line. “Nearly every station posted a record-setting boarding total in October. The most boarded stations were Westlake (368,936), Seatac/Airport (323,957), and Capitol Hill (297,004).”

However, the system is also suffering from its own success as the fourth most-ridden light rail system in the country. Sound Transit is planning work over the next several months to address reliability issues and infrastructure failures.

FULL STORY: Link Light Rail Smashes Ridership Record in October

Sunday, December 15, 2024 in The Urbanist

Transportation Washington Seattle Link Light Rail Sound Transit Public Transit Light Rail View More

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