In November 1996, voters in the urban areas of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties approved the local taxes to create Sound Transit. The agency's mission is to plan, build and operate regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound. The system includes: high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access improvements; ST Express bus routes; Sounder commuter rail; Link light rail and new park-and-ride lots and transit centers.
Sounder Commuter Rail
Sounder is an 82-mile commuter rail system with 12 stations using existing railroad tracks between Everett, Seattle, Tacoma and Lakewood.
Link Light Rail
- The initial segment of the Link light rail line, currently under construction, is a 14-mile route that connects Downtown Seattle and Southeast Seattle with a South 154th Street Station in Tukwila near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
- Airport Link is a 1.7-mile route that will connect the initial segment to the airport.
- The 1.6-mile Tacoma Link light rail line opened in August of 2003 and connects the downtown Tacoma business, theater and university districts to the new Tacoma Dome Station.
ST Express Bus and Facilities
- New ST Express bus routes connect cities and suburbs throughout the region and link with other local and regional transit services.
- Sound Transit is funding freeway HOV direct access ramps to ensure fast and reliable local and regional bus service, encourage carpool and vanpool use and eliminate the need for buses and carpools to weave through general traffic at freeway entrances and exits.
- Transit centers, park-and-ride lots, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements provide local access to the regional transit network.
Sound Transit's measures of success
- High-quality projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Services are well used with high customer satisfaction.
- Checks and balances ensure accountability to the community.
- Staff, consultants and contractors are accountable to the Sound Transit Board of Directors.
- Projects are developed with the help of meaningful community involvement and participation.
- Technical expertise is appropriate to implement the system.
- A lean organization reflects the Sound Transit District's values and diversity.
- Maximum local participation, including Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms in Sound Transit contracting.
- Projects include innovative design and operating features that benefit Sound Transit's customers and attract new riders.
- Partnerships leverage Sound Transit's investments and/or reduce project costs.
The Sound Transit District boundary
The Sound Transit district map includes the most congested urban areas of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The Sound Transit District boundary generally follows the urban growth boundaries created by each county in accordance with the state Growth Management Act. Learn more here >>>
