Transit is sustainable. Sound Transit’s regional system expansion is essential to the Central Puget Sound region’s sustainable future. We promote sustainability by developing and operating regional transit and fostering smart growth.
Expanding mass transit services benefits everyone by offering a more sustainable means of travel that decreases carbon emissions as well as air and water pollution.
Fostering transit-oriented communities
Sound Transit's role in supporting regional growth goes beyond delivering a great ride. Our transit-oriented development (TOD) program fosters vibrant, livable communities around transit by creating opportunities for development and affordable housing near our stations.
To achieve these outcomes, the agency offers surplus property — land that was needed to build the transit system but is no longer required during operation — to partners to create TOD that prioritizes affordable housing.
Energy efficiency and conservation
Sound Transit and our partner services provide tangible environmental benefits for the region’s growing communities. For example, when riders choose transit instead of driving alone, they reduce air and water pollution.
In 2023, passengers taking Sound Transit’s services avoided nearly 216,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, an amount equivalent to burning 21 million gallons of gasoline. This represents a 12% increase in avoided emissions since 2022, illustrating a ridership rebound. In 2023, Sound Transit avoided nearly five times the amount of emissions than it produced from operations.
Resilience and climate change
Sound Transit initiated its effort to integrate climate vulnerability considerations into the revision of its design requirements. Sustainability staff worked with subject matter experts across the agency to ensure that the design requirements address effects of future heat waves, localized flooding, and sea level rise into the agency’s design standards.
This approach helps the agency not only prepare for current climate events, but also makes the system resilient to the increased effects of climate change expected in our region.
Sustainability targets, plan progress, and statistics
The 2023 Sustainability Progress Report and 2023 Sustainability Progress Report Appendices provide a snapshot of the agency's progress in making transit sustainable for Central Puget Sound region.