Sound Transit needs more cars to accommodate its ridership, particularly during special events and peak times.
Seattle’s transit agency, Sound Transit, is running short on passenger space on its light rail vehicles, according to an article by Mike Lindblom in The Seattle Times. “More railcars are needed to provide the service quality promised to voters in 2008 and 2016 regional transit-tax measures.”
As Lindblom explains, “Sound Transit ordered 152 Siemens S70 vehicles in 2016-17, mainly to stock its Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond and Federal Way extensions, scheduled to open in 2024-26.” But “Those aren’t considered enough anymore, because slow conditions on the Seattle-SeaTac line are hamstringing train frequency, and therefore the route’s capacity to carry travelers.”
“Transit staff say that Siemens USA, which built the Seattle-Bellevue area’s newest railcar fleet, has only a short window in which managers can get parts from today’s tight supply chain, and assemble more Sound Transit railcars at its Sacramento, Calif., factory by 2027. Costs should range between $60 million and $100 million, says agency CEO Julie Timm.” If the agency orders 10 additional rail cars, they would add enough capacity to “provide a complete four-car train nearly all the time, instead of mixing in shorter three-car trains,” creating more space for wheelchairs and bikes as well as people.
FULL STORY: Sound Transit needs more railcars soon, so it won’t run out of room for riders
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.
West Seattle Link Expansion Could Cost $7 Billion
Sound Transit is moving forward with a proposed route despite severe cost overruns, throwing other major rail projects into question.
Seattle Area Developers Target Areas Around Light Rail Extension
The East Link line, which will connect Redmond and Bellevue to Seattle in 2025, is spurring transit-oriented development near future stations.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions