Link light rail celebrates fourth anniversary amid big crowds

Light rail sets weekday ridership record in June, on track for future ridership forecasts

Sound Transit's Link light rail celebrates its fourth birthday today amid continued strong ridership growth and record-setting trends this summer. The line has carried more than 30 million riders since it opened to the public on July 18, 2009. 

Link has seen double-digit annual ridership growth since opening and averaged almost 32,000 weekday boardings in June, a 14% increase over June, 2012. Link also saw its busiest day ever when it carried more than 38,000 riders on Tuesday, June 11. 

"Every day, more commuters and visitors discover that Central Link is the flexible, convenient and efficient way to get where they want to go," said Sound Transit Chair and Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. "The continued growth in ridership means Link will be a vital part of this region long in to the future."

The 15-mile line connecting downtown Seattle with Southeast Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac International Airport is on track to beat the 9.2 million annual riders forecast for 2013. The line is also expected to meet or exceed annual ridership goals through 2016, when the University Link light rail extension is scheduled to open and boost light rail ridership to 25.7 million annual riders by 2018.