Sounder Commuter Rail rolls into Everett and Edmonds early with second train

Sound Transit's Sounder commuter rail service doubles the pleasure for riders between Seattle and Everett with the addition of a second peak-hour round-trip train beginning June 6^th. This date is three months ahead of schedule. The original target date for the second train was the September 2005 service change. Thanks to the cooperative working relationship between Sound Transit and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, environmental impacts were reduced and the necessary permits were obtained without any delay.

Especially important in bringing the service on-line ahead of schedule was the efficient management and completion of the project by Sound Transit's Capital Projects Department to construct layover tracks at Everett Station.

"Sound Transit is all about providing options and alternatives to sitting in traffic for commuters," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. "Working with our partners at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), we are pleased to provide a more flexible schedule for our customers in Everett and Edmonds as well as for those riding the ferry from Kingston."

The second Sounder train increases the options for commuters between Everett and Seattle, especially those who want to "mix-and-match" their commute utilizing Sounder, ST Express long-distance bus service (Routes 510, 511 and 513) and RailPlus, which allows Sounder customers to ride Amtrak trains (see schedule below).

"Our job is to connect communities and make it easier for people to get to work, school and other activities," said Sound Transit Vice Chair and Everett City Councilman Mark Olson. "We have worked hard at Sound Transit to bring this added service to our beautiful Everett Station."

"This is an important expansion of Sounder service for commuters in Snohomish County," Added Sound Transit Boardmember and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.

Especially important in bringing the service on-line ahead of schedule was the efficient management and completion of the project by Sound Transit's Capital Projects Department to construct layover tracks at Everett Station.

"Sound Transit is all about providing options and alternatives to sitting in traffic for commuters," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. "Working with our partners at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), we are pleased to provide a more flexible schedule for our customers in Everett and Edmonds as well as for those riding the ferry from Kingston."

The second Sounder train increases the options for commuters between Everett and Seattle, especially those who want to "mix-and-match" their commute utilizing Sounder, ST Express long-distance bus service (Routes 510, 511 and 513) and RailPlus, which allows Sounder customers to ride Amtrak trains (see schedule below).

"Our job is to connect communities and make it easier for people to get to work, school and other activities," said Sound Transit Vice Chair and Everett City Councilman Mark Olson. "We have worked hard at Sound Transit to bring this added service to our beautiful Everett Station."

"This is an important expansion of Sounder service for commuters in Snohomish County," Added Sound Transit Boardmember and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.