Media invited to ride the first Sounder commuter train on Thursday, Dec. 9

A special invitation-only ride of the first Sounder commuter train will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9 and a limited number of seats are being reserved for the media on a first come, first served basis. The Sounder train will begin its special one-way trip from Tacoma to Seattle leaving the Tacoma Amtrak station at 11:30 a.m. and arrive at Seattle's King Street Station at 12:30 p.m. The public is welcome to view the train from 2 - 6 p.m. To reserve your seat please contact Clarence Moriwaki at (206) 689-4946.

Please indicate who will be riding with us and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Sounder commuter trains consist of bi-level passenger cars featuring comfortable high-back cloth upholstered seats with cup holders, work tables, surge-protected outlets for computers and cell phones, restrooms and areas for bicycles, and they are powered by high-performance clean diesel locomotives. Sounder trains are projected to offer two-way rush hour service between Tacoma and Seattle in 2000 and extended service north to Everett and south to Lakewood in 2001/2002.

Along with Sounder, Sound Transit is moving forward implementing Sound Move, the regional transit plan approved by voters in 1996 that includes Link light rail between SeaTac and Northgate by 2006 and a 1.6 mile downtown Tacoma Link line in 2001, and Regional Express service that includes 18 new limited-stop ST Express regional bus routes and numerous improvements to transit centers, park-and-ride lots and high-occupancy vehicle lanes throughout the region.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.