Sound Transit required to temporarily reduce peak hour service on Link light rail
Trains will operate every 12 minutes due to reduced operator availability
As a result of rail operator staffing shortages, starting Monday, Dec. 7, Sound Transit will be required to temporarily reduce peak hour service on Link light rail. Trains will run every 12 minutes during peak hours on weekdays. Service during other periods currently remains unchanged.
Sound Transit was recently informed by King County Metro, which operates and maintains Link service under contract, that numerous factors relating to the COVID pandemic are triggering a shortage of operators to operate the service at current frequencies. Operator shortages were also a challenge when COVID rates spiked back in March.
In addition, due to reduced operator availability, Tacoma Link, which is operated directly by Sound Transit, will operate on a Sunday schedule on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.
ST Express and Sounder service is not affected at this time.
Riders should take into account that electronic resources such as Google maps, One Bus Away and other applications and websites may not have accurate information for all trips during this time. In addition to accessing information electronically at www.soundtransit.org, passengers can request help with trip planning by calling Customer Service at 888-889-6368, TTY Relay 711.
All Sound Transit passengers must wear face coverings consistent with public health directives. Riders should also follow social distancing and other critical health guidelines to protect the community.
Sound Transit services are subject to the possibility of further increases or decreases based on staffing levels, future passenger demand and COVID-19 financial impacts. A language line is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons at 800-823-9230.
Sound Transit remains committed to working closely with its partners to continue serving the public. Efforts will continue to prioritize serving riders who depend on Sound Transit's services, including seniors, people with disabilities, Title VI protected populations (race, color, national origin), low-income and limited-English-proficiency populations. To the greatest extent possible, we will continue to run trains and buses at our earliest and latest normal weekday hours.
Riders should sign up for rider alerts to ensure that they receive up-to-date information about service changes, or visit www.soundtransit.org.