42 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release 8/11/20

 

Sound Transit to increase service on Link light rail effective September 19  

 

September service changes also include two additional Sounder South roundtrips and adjustments to some ST Express routes

 

August 11, 2020

 

 

In response to increases in ridership, Sound Transit is planning to add service across its system for its September service change. Trains on Link light rail will run every eight minutes during peak hours on weekdays. Trains will run every 15 minutes on weekends and off peak on weekdays, and every 30 minutes on evenings. 

 

In addition, Sounder South will add two roundtrips to its weekday schedule, and schedule adjustments will be made to a number of ST Express routes to better meet rider demand. 

 

Sound Transit hopes to continue to operate these levels of service stably through the next service change, in March of 2021. The agency will be launching public outreach for its proposed 2021 service plan in the coming weeks.

 

Additional service details follow. Passengers can see full details of the September service changes at www.soundtransit.org/servicechange

 

  Sounder

 

Effective September 21, Sounder South weekday service will increase to nine round trips from seven round trips. The northbound trips that will be suspended are the 1514, 1518, 1520 and 1522 departures from Tacoma. The suspended southbound trips will be the 1501, 1505, 1507 and 1509 departures from Seattle. Passengers should note that in some cases the suspended trains will differ from the trains currently suspended and should plan their trips accordingly. 

 

There will be no changes to current Sounder North service. Sounder North weekday service remains reduced from four round trips to two round trips, with suspension of the 1701 and 1705 departures from Everett and the 1700 and 1704 departures from Seattle. 

 

  ST Express

 

Routes 512 will increase to full service, reflecting ridership demand. Routes 541, 544, 555, 556 and 567 will remain suspended. Some of the 16 routes with partial service will have minor schedule changes. Changes on ST Express service will take place September 19-21, depending upon the routes’ operating partner.

 

At this time normal service will continue on Tacoma Link.

 

All Sound Transit passengers are directed to wear face coverings consistent with expanded 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 after September 2020 based on levels of future passenger demand and COVID-19 financial impacts. In order to maintain flexibility for potential future changes, Sound Transit will not be publishing an updated “Ride the Wave Transit Guide” booklet in printed form. In addition to accessing information electronically at www.soundtransit.org, passengers can request schedule information in print format by calling 800-201-4900, TTY Relay 711. For help with trip planning, passengers can also call Customer Service at 888-889-6368, TTY Relay 711. 

• 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.

 

Cross-posted in Coronavirus and Storms forums.

[KevinKorell]

Herald, Everett, WA, 9/6/20:

 

   Economic fallout from COVID-19 may delay Everett light rail  

 

 

 

Everett’s light rail connection could face a years-long delay due to prolonged economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Details

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Sound Transit seeks input on 2021 proposed service   changes

 

September 8, 2020

 

 

Sound Transit is seeking public input on proposed changes to service in 2021, as well as feedback on how service changes related to COVID-19 have impacted passengers and if the current system design is meeting their needs. 

 

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Sound Transit responded to reduced ridership demand by reducing service on ST Express routes, Link light rail and Sounder trains. In response to increases in ridership, Sound Transit is planning to add service on Link, Sounder and adjust some ST Express routes starting September 19-21. 

 

Sound Transit hopes to continue to operate these levels of service stably through the next service change, in March of 2021. Sound Transit services are subject to the possibility of further increases or decreases after September 2020 based on levels of future passenger demand and COVID-19 financial impacts.

 

Sound Transit is currently planning for what service should look like beyond March 2021. Considerations include at where services are most needed, where demand might increase, and which passengers depend most on services. At the same time, the agency is looking at the Northgate Link light rail extension opening in fall 2021 and considering how to reroute some of services to connect with the extension’s three new stations in north Seattle (U District, Roosevelt and Northgate). 

 

  Comment on the proposed service changes:

 

Sound Transit invites the public to comment on the plan by phone or email through Friday, September 25, 2020, or by participating in a virtual public hearing.  The public can comment on the service changes several ways. 

 

  Virtual public hearing

 

Sound Transit will be holding a virtual public hearing to gather comment on the proposed service changes on Thursday, September 24, starting at 11 a.m. 

 

In order to comment at the virtual public hearing, you will need to sign up in advance. The sign up window will be open from 8 a.m. on the day of the hearing until five minutes before the hearing's scheduled start time. Sign up requires your name and email address. Commenters will be called on by name in the order they signed up.

 

To participate in the public hearing via computer or smart phone: https://soundtransit...efb08a30b6902cb, if a password is not already entered, enter the following password: Agency. 

 

To participate in the public hearing via phone: call 415-655-0001 or 206-207-1700, then enter access code: 146 745 7709 and pin code: #.

 

  Online survey

 

An online survey is available at www.soundtransit.org/sip  The survey will also be available in Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Russian, and Korean.

 

  Phone

 

To take the survey by phone, call 800-201-4900/TTY Relay: 711. Translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons at 800-823-9230/TTY Relay: 711

 

The public can also leave comments at 866-940-4387.

 

  Email 

 

Email comments to servicechanges@soundtransit.org

 

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.

 

Cross-posted in regular and COVID-19 forums.

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit 9/17/20 

Excerpts cross-posted from Commuter Rail forum.

 

 

 

Project update

 

 

The COVID-19 recession could change project timelines

The pandemic crisis is greatly reducing the revenues Sound Transit relies on to expand our regional transit system. As some businesses remain closed and people stay home, sales tax revenues critical to funding transit construction have declined rapidly. Our Board of Directors is working to determine which transit expansion project timelines will need to be adjusted through a process called realignment.

In light of this process, we’ve temporarily paused some actions on the Auburn parking and access improvements project while the Board is considering the larger picture.

Learn more

 

Restored trips on Sounder South

Effective Sept. 21, Sounder South weekday service will increase to nine round trips.

Trains will leave Auburn northbound between 5:18-8:18 a.m., with one afternoon northbound trip at 5:42 p.m. Southbound trains will depart from Seattle’s King Street Station between 3:35-6:30 p.m. A southbound reverse-commute train will leave Seattle at 6:35 a.m. For details, read our new September schedule.

We are also seeking feedback through Sept. 25 on our draft 2021 Service Plan, which proposes to maintain Sounder South service levels (nine round trips).

Learn about covid-19 precautions

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit email 10/15/20  (excerpt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover your face

Your safety is our priority, but there are ways you can help. To protect yourself and others, wear a face covering when riding buses and trains and while waiting at the bus stop or station. It's a great way to stop the spread of COVID-19, and show consideration and respect for your fellow riders.

Learn more

 

 

Cleaning stations and vehicles

Sound Transit and our partners are doing everything we can to keep trains and buses as safe as possible, from daily disinfecting regimens to contact-free payment options. All staff wear masks while keeping our vehicles and stations clean and sanitized.

Keeping you safe

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release:

 

Sound Transit required to temporarily reduce peak hour service on Link light rail   

 

Trains will operate every 12 minutes due to reduced operator availability

 

December 4, 2020

 

 

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.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

12/11/20

 

 

 

 

Reduced Tacoma Link light rail service Saturday, December 12

 

On Saturday, December 12, Tacoma Link light rail will operate a Sunday Schedule due to operator staffing shortages. Service will operate:

• Every 24 minutes, between 9:48 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• The last train departs Theatre District at 6 p.m.
• The last train departs Tacoma Dome at 5:48 p.m.

 

Masks are required for your health and safety. Learn more about riding safely.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Sound Transit Board to hold realignment workshop   

 

Process moves forward to support summer capital program decisions in response to revenue impacts, cost pressures

 

January 19, 2021

 

The Sound Transit Board of Directors will convene a workshop on Jan. 21 as part of work toward planned July decisions on long-range capital program adjustments in response to revenue impacts and cost pressures. The 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. workshop will take place as a videoconference due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions and can be watched at the below link:
https://www.soundtra...shop-2021-01-21

 

Information on the realignment process and the revenue and cost challenges is available at:
https://www.soundtra...ion/realignment

 

 

Cross-posted in Coronavirus and Miscellaneous Travel Items

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Sound Transit to offer free Link light rail service for vaccination appointments  

 

Effort to ease travel will include trips to Lumen Field, the nation’s largest mass vaccination site, which is a short walk from Link stations

 

March 12, 2021

 

 

Effective Saturday, March 13, Link light rail will be free to passengers traveling to or from appointments at vaccination sites along Link routes, including newly opened sites at Lumen Field and Rainier Beach, as well as local pharmacies and medical facilities. 

 

"Nothing is more important to our health and wellbeing right now than vaccinating as many of our neighbors as quickly and easily as possible. Link will be a fast and convenient way for people to get wherever they need to for their vaccinations, including two of the region’s largest vaccination sites," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "We want to do all we can to speed our region’s return to normal."

 

The free round-trip will be available throughout the day of a vaccination for passengers who show proof of the appointment if requested.  Free service will also be available to vaccination site volunteers who provide documentation they are working a shift that day, such as an official email verifying their shift.

 

The Lumen Field mass vaccination site, the largest of its kind in the nation, is a short walk from the Link Stadium and International District/Chinatown stations. The Rainier Beach Community Vaccination Hub is within a mile of the Rainier Beach Link station.  

 

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.

 

For trip planning assistance or other questions, contact Customer Service at 888-889-6368, TTY Relay 711, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
               
A language line is available to provide interpretation assistance for passengers who speak languages other than English at 800-823-9230, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

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. 

 

Riders can sign up to receive automatic email service alerts for Link light rail, ST Express, Tacoma Link, Sounder Seattle-Everett and Sounder Seattle-Tacoma/Lakewood. Rider Alerts provide information about schedule changes and help riders plan trips around inclement weather. Just go to soundtransit.org/Subscribe-to-alerts.

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Sound Transit Board seeks public input on priorities for managing COVID-19 revenue impacts, upward cost pressures   

 

Residents encouraged to offer feedback through April 30 on program realignment priorities

 

April 13, 2021

 

 

Through April 30, regional residents are encouraged to provide input to the Sound Transit Board of Directors on priorities for managing an unprecedented financial environment in its work to advance voter-approved transit projects that are not already under construction.

 

Sound Transit faces two major, simultaneous challenges. A pandemic-driven recession has severely reduced consumer spending and agency tax revenues at the same time that real estate and construction market pressures continue to drive project estimates to levels significantly beyond previous assumptions. These factors result in a currently projected $11.5 billion affordability gap to complete the full expansion program as originally planned (the Board will update this forecast on April 22).
 
Through a process called realignment, the Board is working to determine how plans and timelines for voter-approved projects will need to change to address these financial pressures. The approved Sound Transit 3 ballot measure requires this process when it is clear the program is not affordable. 

 

Alongside identifying options to manage costs, the first emphasis of the realignment is pursuing federal grants and other alternative revenue sources to help close the financial gap. To the extent the agency cannot secure sufficient new resources, establishing realignment plans this summer will help ensure affordability under updated projections for current revenue sources. The Board's options include delaying the delivery of projects to provide longer periods to collect revenue; delivering projects in phases; and reducing project elements.

 

"The input that residents provide will help the Sound Transit Board establish a framework for managing whatever affordability gap remains after continuing our intensive work to secure additional financial capacity," said Sound Transit Board Chair and University Place City Councilmember Kent Keel. "Our focus is on opening these projects with the least possible impact to when they will greatly expand our residents’ travel options and create thousands of jobs."

 

  How to provide input

 

Through April 30, community members can provide input on realignment through several options: 

• Visit an online open house and complete a short survey at www.soundtransit.org/realignment. Information and surveys are available in English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
• Email realignment@soundtransit.org.  
• Leave a voicemail at 206-553-3400.

The agency will compile and present input to the Sound Transit Board in May in advance of upcoming realignment discussions.

 

  Current construction unaffected

 

Projects now under construction — including light rail extensions to Northgate, Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way and Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, as well as the Puyallup Sounder garage — are not subject to realignment. Sound Transit is poised to open all of these projects on schedule, almost tripling the reach of the region’s light rail system in the next four years from 22 to 62 miles. This construction, as well as future projects, will help our region's economy recover from the COVID-19 recession, just as transit construction helped fuel our recovery from the Great Recession. Family-wage jobs offered by Sound Transit's construction projects will help thousands return to the workforce, and in turn will support even more jobs in communities across the region.