Modes of service

We’re building a connected system of trains and buses to move people throughout the region.

Link Light Rail

Link light rail on track with clouds in background

Link is the first major light rail system in the country to go completely green, running from Northgate to Angle Lake on 100% carbon-free electricity. Because it operates in its own right-of-way, the Link 1 Line is immune from traffic, offering fast and reliable travel times 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Each three- or four-car light rail train carries approximately 600-800 passengers. Our partner agency King County Metro operates Link.

The 1 Line currently serves a 26-mile line from North Seattle to south of Sea-Tac Airport, but with voter approval of system expansion in 2008 and 2016, the system will grow to 116 miles and five lines, with new stations opening every few years. 

T Line

Sound Transit’s first rail line is the T Line, Tacoma’s street-level light rail transit. This ST-operated system has 12 stations on a 4-mile track, running from the Tacoma Dome to the Hilltop neighborhood. An extension to Tacoma Community College is expected to open in 2039-2041*.

Sounder commuter rail

Passengers getting in sounder train

Sounder trains run primarily during peak commute hours on traditional railroad tracks, connecting communities north and south of Seattle on the N Line and S Line, respectively. Sounder trains travel at speeds up to 79 miles per hour. S-Line trains have seating for about 950 passengers, while N-Line trains seat between 300-450, depending on length.

Sound Transit owns Sounder trains and stations, which include facilities to connect to other regional transit and parking. BNSF Railway owns the tracks and operates Sounder service, and Amtrak maintains the trains.

The N Line runs between Everett and Seattle, while the S Line runs from Lakewood or Tacoma to Seattle. Sounder also provides occasional special event service to weekend attractions like Seahawks, Sounders or Mariners games. Under the Sounder South Capacity Expansion program, S-Line trains will extend from seven to 10 cars, and new stations at Tillicum and DuPont will open in 2045.

ST Express bus

ST ride the waves bus turning a corner

ST Express buses run on long-range, limited-stop routes serving major population and employment centers throughout the region. ST Express routes are intended as interim services while we build new light rail and bus rapid transit. As those services expand, Sound Transit will periodically re-evaluate ST Express routes.

Our ST Express bus fleet includes 40- and 60-foot buses running on diesel, hybrid power or natural gas. The fleet also includes 37 double-decker diesel buses operated on routes between Seattle and Snohomish County. Our partner agencies Pierce Transit, King County Metro and Community Transit operate ST Express service.

Stride Bus Rapid Transit

people waiting at cross walk as bus turns

Starting in 2026, we’ll open our first BRT lines. Stride will provide fast, frequent and reliable bus connections to communities along the I-405 and SR 522 corridors.

Operating mostly in dedicated transit lanes, BRT is designed for fast arrivals and departures with multiple doors and off-board fare payment. With buses running as often as every 10 minutes, this new service will connect to the growing Link light rail network at Shoreline, Lynnwood, Bellevue and Tukwila, as well as to other Sound Transit, Community Transit and King County Metro service.