Sounder commuter rail's 100,000th rider is Adrianne Thompson of Tacoma
The 100,000 rider of Sounder commuter rail only began riding the train a few weeks ago, but Adrianne Thompson of Tacoma is already a big fan. "Sounder is great - it's relaxing, I can read and it's so much better than driving," Thompson said.
As television crews and fellow commuters looked on, the surprised Thompson was presented a commemorative plaque and a bag of Sounder souvenirs from Sound Transit Executive Director Bob White and Sound Transit mascot Zap Gridlock. "I never expected anything like this to happen to me," Thompson said.
In less than four months of service, Sounder is already averaging more daily riders per train than some established commuter rail lines such as Los Angeles and Dallas. Even with the limited two train schedule and four stations, Sounder is averaging more than 1,300 riders a day. Once all seven stations between Tacoma and Seattle are open and a third train is added, Sounder should easily reach and surpass the original opening day projections of 1,500 riders per day. The remaining three stations in Puyallup, Kent and Tukwila are planned to open in the next two months. Ridership numbers are for regular weekday service only and do not include the Mariners trains or other special service.
Voter-approved in 1996, Sound Transit is on track to implement a three-county regional transit system plan known as Sound Move. Sound Move is a seamless blend of three transportation systems: Sounder commuter rail, running 82 miles from Everett to Tacoma/Lakewood; Link light rail, a 21-mile system connecting the cities of Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac and a 1.6 mile system in Tacoma; and Regional Express, featuring 18 new ST Express limited stop, long-haul bus routes and numerous improvements to transit centers, park-and-ride lots and HOV lanes throughout the region.
Sounder's customer information line is 1-888-889-6368; for TTY hearing impaired users please call 1-888-713-6030 and the Sounder Web site is www.sounder.org For general Sound Transit information please visit the Sound Transit Web site at www.soundtransit.or /, or call or write for more information at Sound Transit, Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104, 206-398-5000 or toll free 1-800-201-4900.
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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.