New reserved permit-parking option available for Lakewood Sounder Station

Starting December 2, riders who park and ride from the Lakewood Sounder Station will be able to purchase a new single-occupant vehicle (SOV) parking permit or sign up for an available free carpool parking permit that goes into effect in January. SOV and carpool permits will give riders access to reserved parking areas at the station beginning January 2. Separate parking areas will be reserved for SOV and carpool permit holders until 8 a.m. on weekdays. SOV parking permits go on sale December 2. Carpool permits are available free of charge, while SOV permits are available for a monthly fee of $45, with a discounted rate of $15 per month for riders who are eligible for ORCA Lift reduced fares. Prices were set based on market rates for commuter parking across the region.

Lakewood Station will have permit parking areas reserved exclusively for permit holders arriving during weekday morning rush hours. The size of the permit area at each station will be set based on the number of permits purchased and issued each month, but will not exceed 50% of the spaces at either station. All unpermitted station parking will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is available in any unused permit spaces, after 8 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and federal holidays. 

On weekdays, the Lakewood Station parking garage frequently fills well before 7:30 a.m. This makes it difficult to access transit for those who can’t arrive so early, including parents who must drop children off at school or day care, and other potential riders who don’t work a conventional 8 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule. These permit options provide a reliable way for riders to find parking without arriving earlier than needed. To view full Sounder schedules, visit www.soundtransit.org/schedules.

All permit applicants must be residents of the Sound Transit District and use a valid ORCA or ORCA Lift card at least 12 days per month to board Sounder, ST Express, Pierce Transit or InterCity Transit bus from Lakewood Station. Carpool parking permits are available free of charge to groups of two or more riders who all commit to using transit and sharing a ride to the station at least 12 days per month.

Riders can submit permit applications starting at 7 a.m. December 2nd. To apply online or obtain more information about Sound Transit’s permit parking program, please visit www.soundtransit.org/permitparking. 

Pierce Transit offers fast connections from the Lakewood Sounder Station to Tacoma and other parts of Pierce County. For more information visit www.piercetransit.org.
 
InterCity Transit provides connections to the Lakewood Sounder Station from Olympia, Lacey and other parts of Thurston County. For more information, visit www.intercitytransit.com.

In 2018 the Sound Transit board authorized permit-parking options for all of the agency’s high demand park-and-rides, including those that regularly fill to, or in excess of, 90% of capacity.