Sound Transit launches Sounder commuter rail service to Mukilteo

Starting Saturday, Snohomish County commuters will enjoy a brand-new commuting option—Sounder commuter rail service to Mukilteo. The new service will get underway with free rides to Saturday’s Mariners game, and regular weekday service will start Monday, June 2.

Community members are invited to a celebration on Saturday marking the completion of Mukilteo Station’s first phase less than one year after breaking ground on the project. Mukilteo will now join Edmonds as a stop for the three round-trip trains carrying commuters between Everett and Seattle each weekday. Sound Transit plans to launch a fourth round trip in September.

The new service will expand commuting options for Snohomish County residents and will run on a schedule that also serves ferry commuters from Whidbey Island. The service will take more cars off the region’s roads and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The huge ridership increases we’ve seen over the last several months on Sounder are proof positive that Mukilteo Station will get a warm welcome,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. “Rising congestion, high gas prices, and the need for greener transportation options are all reasons why we expect Mukilteo Station to be a big success, and why we need to expand the Sound Transit system and add even more service and more facilities like this one.”

“With fuel prices continually on the rise, Mukilteo Station offers residents another option for saving money and reducing commute times in the area,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, vice chair of the Sound Transit Board. “The new station preserves the character of one of our most beautiful cities and allows travel more easily throughout the region.”

State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, called the Mukilteo project “a good example of how numerous agencies are working together and coordinating to offer better transportation to the public and get this region moving. The hallmark of this project is the coordination of Washington State Ferries and Sound Transit. Making these kinds of transit connections improves mobility for commuters and livability for residents.”

“Mukilteo Station is a great addition to the city’s waterfront as well as critical component of our region’s transportation network,” said Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine. “Getting this critical connection between ferries and Sounder brings us one big step closer to fulfilling our long-term vision for the waterfront and for the city.”

The completed first phase of construction includes a passenger platform on the north side of the tracks, 68 parking stalls, and public art by Whidbey Island artist Linda Beaumont. The second phase of the project, expected to begin next year, will include a south platform, pedestrian bridge and additional parking spaces. The $19.6 million project budget for both phases is being funded by Sound Transit and the Federal Transportation Administration.

“As a regional company based in Snohomish County, Wilder Construction is very proud to have been a part of completing Phase 1 of this project on time and under budget,” said Andrew Thompson, Everett Area Construction Manager for prime contractor Wilder Construction. “Building Mukilteo Station brings a much-needed service to the community. As with our efforts eight years ago for the Everett Station Phase 1, we see this as a continuation of building legacy projects with Sound Transit and it's stakeholders and the opportunity to link communities to the future. We are pleased to continue with this effort by beginning Phase 2 of Everett Station this month."

By the end of this year, Sound Transit expects to run four round-trip trains in the north corridor between Everett and Seattle. It also operates six round-trip trains in the south corridor between Seattle and Tacoma, including a “reverse commute” round-trip train; two more round-trip trains will be added in the south corridor this fall, and a ninth in 2009.

“We are really excited to have this last piece of the puzzle for our north Sounder corridor up and running,” said Sound Transit Board member and Edmonds City Councilmember Deanna Dawson. “These kinds of high capacity transit connections between Snohomish County communities are critical to keeping our region moving.”

“With 300,000 additional people expected to move to Snohomish County in the next 15 years, the Mukilteo Sounder station could not have come at a better time,” said Sound Transit Board member and Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts.

Sound Transit’s Mukilteo Station is part of a larger effort to revitalize Mukilteo’s waterfront neighborhood and create a transit hub that serves both local residents and ferry riders. Sound Transit worked with the Port of Everett, the City of Mukilteo, the City of Everett and Washington State Ferries on planning and integrating the transit elements. Sound Transit also worked closely with Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the United States Air Force, and NOAA on project planning.

The Sound Transit Board is currently reviewing options for major expansions to mass transit service around the region for submission to voters in 2008 or 2010. Proposed region-wide expansions to Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail and ST Express bus service include parking and access improvements to the Sounder stations in Mukilteo, Edmonds and Everett. Sound Transit is seeking public input on system expansion options through mid June via a series of public meetings and web and phone questionnaires.
Visit www.soundtransit.org/future for more information.

Mukilteo fares

One-way fares between Mukilteo and Seattle are $4 for adults, $3 for youths and $2 for seniors or people with disabilities. Fares between Mukilteo and Edmonds are $3.25 for adults, $2.25 for youths and $1.50 for seniors or people with disabilities.

Game-day Sounder service

Sounder commuter trains serve select weekend Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks games. Saturday’s service to the Mariners game will depart Mukilteo at 11:26: a.m. (and Everett at 11:15 a.m. and Edmonds at 11:41 a.m.). Mariners trains arrive at King Street Station in downtown Seattle, a short walk to the field. Return service departs King Street Station 35 minutes after the game ends.
Get more details on Mariners service>>>

Everett to Seattle schedule (weekdays only)

Southbound
	Train #	Everett Station	Mukilteo Station	Edmonds Station	Seattle
Sounder	1701	6:12 a.m.	6:23 a.m.	6:38 a.m.	7:11 a.m.
Sounder	1703	6:42 a.m.	6:53 a.m.	7:08 a.m.	7:41 a.m.
Sounder	1705	7:12 a.m.	7:23 a.m.	7:38 a.m.	8:11 a.m.
Amtrak*	513	9:55 a.m.	:	10:21a.m.	10:55 a.m.
Amtrak*	517	8:54 p.m.	:	9:19 p.m.	10:05 p.m.

Seattle to Everett schedule (weekdays only)

Northbound
	Train #	Seattle	Edmonds Station	Mukilteo Station	Everett Station
Amtrak*	510	7:40 a.m.	8:07 a.m.	:	8:31 a.m.
Sounder	1700	4:33 p.m.	5:00 p.m.	5:15 p.m.	5:32 p.m.
Sounder	1702	5:05 p.m.	5:32 p.m.	5:47 p.m.	6:04 p.m.
Sounder	1704	5:35 p.m.	6:02 p.m.	6:17 p.m.	6:34 p.m.
Amtrak*	516	6:40 p.m.	7:07 p.m.	:	7:31 p.m.

*Amtrak Trains 510, 513, 516 and 517 are operated by Amtrak and are part of the Rail Plus Program serving Seattle, Edmonds and Everett stations, but only accept monthly passes valid on Sound Transit services. Pass upgrades, Day Passes and Single-Trip tickets are not accepted by Amtrak. Amtrak trains board on the west side of the Weller Bridge.

PLEASE NOTE:  Although Sounder trains may arrive a few minutes past their scheduled time, according to Commuter Railroad Standards for systems under construction, on-time performance is any arrival at the end station under 8 minutes of the published time.