Systemwide Ridership Report

Fourth quarter ridership at Sound Transit was up 17 percent compared with the same period last year, increasing from 3.6 to 4.2 million boardings. This significant growth occurred despite the worsening economic situation and severe winter weather during the last weeks of the quarter. Snow and ice curtailed service and restricted the operation of both ST Express buses and Sounder trains in late December. Total ridership undoubtedly would have been higher but for these extreme weather conditions.

During the severe winter weather in December, ST Express buses continued to operate but at reduced service levels. Some routes were truncated to avoid operation on hills. During the week of December 21, severe winter weather caused frozen switches and other problems on the south Sounder line. An abbreviated “partial holiday” schedule operated with limited ridership. The Sounder north line and Tacoma Link maintained full service levels throughout December’s severe winter weather.