42 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

ST to temporarily reduce service further on Sounder South  

 

Number of roundtrips reduced from eight to seven

 

April 6, 2020

 

Because of reduced staffing availability to operate service, Sound Transit will temporarily eliminate one roundtrip on Sounder South starting Wednesday, April 8. The further service reductions also reflect a 92 percent decline in ridership on Sounder. The new reduction follows reductions in Sounder service announced last month. 

 

Sound Transit announced last Friday reductions on Link and on ST Express buses operated by Pierce Transit and King County Metro. Due to reduced staffing availability, Sound Transit riders should anticipate the possibility of impacts to scheduled trips as well as the potential for further reductions.

 

Sounder trains
Sounder South weekday service will be reduced to seven round trips. Train 1505 (7:55 a.m. southbound Seattle departure) and train 1518 (10:16 a.m. northbound Lakewood departure) will be removed from the schedule. The northbound trips previously canceled are the 1502, 1506 and 1508 departures from Lakewood, and the 1516 and 1522 departures from Tacoma. The canceled southbound trips are the 1503, 1509, 1517, 1519, and 1523 departures from Seattle. 

 

Sounder North weekday service remains reduced from four round trips to two round trips, with cancellation of the 1701 and 1705 departures from Everett and the 1700 and 1704 departures from Seattle. 

 

Previously announced service reductions include:

 

Reductions to Link light rail
Trains will run every 20 minutes. They are currently running every 14 minutes. A revised schedule is posted online at https://www.soundtra.../reduced-service. 

 

Reductions to ST Express routes operated by Pierce Transit
Routes, 560, 566, 574, 577, 578, 590, and 594 are running at reduced frequency similar to typical Sunday schedules, with some enhancements. In order to preserve service on more heavily traveled routes, Routes 544, 567, 580/596 (Sounder connectors), 586, 592, and 595 have been temporarily canceled.

 

ST Express routes operated by King County Metro 
Routes 522, 542, 545, and 550, are operating on a reduced schedule with cuts to some trips. Route 554 is operating with close to full service with only two trips reduced.  Routes 541, 555 and 556 have been temporarily canceled.  

 

ST Express routes operated by Community Transit
Routes 510, 511, 512, 513, 532 and 535 are running on a reduced weekday schedule that preserves the overall span of service but at a reduced frequency for select trips.

 

Riders will find more information on the specific trips cancelled at https://www.soundtra...reduced-service and via rider alerts, which they can sign up to receive electronically.

 

During the COVID-19 response 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, including service reductions affecting other agencies.

 

The service reductions still allow for adequate social distancing to protect riders and operators. To prevent overcrowding, bus drivers may determine that a bus is full and not allow for additional passengers. Sound Transit will be monitoring the latest service changes to see if any additional measures are necessary to mitigate the impact to passengers. 

 

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. At this time normal service will continue on Tacoma Link.

 

Sound Transit has suspended fare requirements on all buses and trains until further notice to help protect transit employees and riders through social distancing. In addition, ST Express passengers will board and exit buses through rear doors whenever possible, increasing separation from operators whose dedication enables Sound Transit to continue service. People with disabilities who need to use the boarding ramp or the lowering feature of the bus may still board via the front door and use the priority seating area. 

 

Riders should sign up for rider alerts to ensure that they receive up-to-date information about service changes, or visit www.soundtransit.org. The language line 1-800-823-9230 is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons.

 

[CNJRoss]

4/8/20
 

 

Construction alert

 

Construction resumes on N. 1st Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way

 

Crews on the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension will resume critical work on N. 1st Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, starting today, April 8. Last week, Sound Transit directed the contractor to temporarily stop work to ensure that health and safety measures are in place in response to COVID-19. The health and safety of the workers and community are top priority. The contractor is implementing expanded safety measures and training. As long as the contractor follows these safety measures with additional oversight, critical work can continue. 

 

When construction resumes, the following activities will take place:  

• In the Stadium District, N. 1st Street is closed between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue in both directions to install track, station platforms, sidewalks and driveways. On Division Avenue between Yakima Avenue and I Street, crews will install signals and lighting as well as abandon old utilities.  
• Near Tacoma General Hospital, crews are installing underground utilities on MLK Jr. Way south of S. 3rd St in front of the Baker Center driveway, closing this driveway. Please take S. L Street to access the Baker Center. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. Crews may continue utility work on MLK Jr. Way south to S. 10th St. 
• In Hilltop, the contractor continues the track installation process on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 15th St. to S. 11th St. Vault installation may continue north on MLK Jr. Way to S. 9th St.
• At the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility, crews will grade the yard and install a sewer line.

In addition, crews will “button-up” some construction areas and will return to these areas later, such as the traction power substation along Stadium Way as well as the foundations for Link power poles on Division Avenue. 

 

What

Construction and traffic restrictions on N. 1st Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 14th Street, S. 13th Street, Earnest Brazill St., S. 17th Street, and Stadium Way 

 

When

Week of April 6 

 

Where

• N. 1st Street from Tacoma Avenue to Yakima Avenue – street closure.
• Division Avenue at Yakima Avenue – lane restriction.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 3rd St. to S. 5th St. – southbound lane closure. 
• Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 11th St. to S. 15th St. – southbound lane closure.  
• S. 14th St. west of MLK Jr. Way to the alley – intersection closure.
• S. 13th St. west of MLK Jr. Way to the alley – intersection closure.
• Earnest Brazill St. west of MLK Jr. Way to the alley – intersection closure.
• S. 17th Street east of MLK Jr. Way to the alley – intersection closure.
• Stadium Way from Broadway to S. 4th St – southbound lane closure; use detours. Follow detours on Tacoma Avenue, St. Helens, and Broadway. Stadium Way is open northbound from I-705 to Tacoma Avenue. Two-way traffic on Stadium Way is open from S. 4th St. to I-705.

More details and maps

 

 

 

Cross-posted in ST/Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit email as posted.  I'm not sure why it was sent as a 'West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension' Project Update.

-Ross

 

4/10/20

 

 

 

 

Project update

 

 

 

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

 

At Sound Transit, the safety of our staff, operators and riders remains our top priority. We will continue to ensure the health and safety of the community and our workforce by following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington State Department of Health and Public Health – Seattle and King County regarding COVID-19.

 

Cleaning transit vehicles

To keep you and your loved ones safe, staff are sanitizing every train car and bus with a spray disinfectant, including touch points, such as stanchions and handrails, and the driver area. In addition, seats are spot cleaned as needed and floors are mopped. Sound Transit is asking passengers, other than those using mobility devices or the boarding ramp, to board and exit buses through rear doors whenever possible. We've also suspended fare payment on all buses and trains until further notice.

 

Temporary Service Reductions

You have probably heard that as more and more riders stay home and with reduced staffing availability to operate service, Sound Transit has introduced temporary service reductions on Link, Sounder and ST Express bus routes. Before you head out to grab a bus or train, check out the latest temporary service reductions.

 

Thank you for your patience

 

We know that this continues to be a challenging time for everyone, and we are here to support the communities we work in. We hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe.\

 

COVID-19 Updates on The Platform

 

Staying connected

As we all adapt to the challenges caused by COVID-19, we are finding creative ways to engage with you moving forward that support the recommendations to socially distance to enhance public safety. This includes shifting in-person events, such as community briefings and workshops, to virtual meetings and providing more opportunities for you to engage with us digitally. If you have ideas on how we can stay connected, please email us at wsblink@soundtransit.org.

 

In the meantime, if you are finding yourself with some extra time on your hands, check out some updated project information on our website, including what we've been hearing over the last several months:

• January 2020 external engagement report
• February 2020 external engagement report
• Alternatives maps by segment
• Sound Transit 2020 Progress Report

How can we stay connected?

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release 4/16/20

 

ST to temporarily reduce service further on Link and some ST Express routes   

 

Agency asks riders to only take essential trips and wear face masks

 

April 16, 2020

 

 

Because of fluctuating staffing availability to operate service, Sound Transit will introduce additional service reductions on Link starting on Monday, April 20 and on certain ST Express routes operated by King County Metro starting Saturday, April 18. 

 

The further service reductions also reflect an 87 percent system-wide reduction in ridership, with Link and almost all ST Express routes, as well as Sounder service, already operating at reduced levels. Trains will operate with the maximum length of four cars to increase space for social distancing.  

 

Sound Transit is reminding customers that they should limit travel to essential trips and follow social distancing and other critical health guidelines to protect the community. Consistent with recent health guidance the agency recommends that riders wear protective face masks. 

 

Reductions to Link light rail
Trains will run every 30 minutes instead of the previous service level of every 20 minutes. A revised schedule is posted online at https://www.soundtra...educed-service.

 

Sound Transit security officers and law enforcement officers are working to respond to an increase in vandalism and unsanitary conditions that has occurred since Sound Transit suspended fares in response to COVID-19. Riders who encounter conditions that they consider unsafe should contact Sound Transit Security by calling or texting 206-398-5268. 

 

SNIP (Bus information)

 

Sounder trains
Sounder South weekday service remains reduced to seven round trips. The northbound trips previously canceled are the 1502, 1506, 1508 and 1518 departures from Lakewood, and the 1516 and 1522 departures from Tacoma. The canceled southbound trips are the 1503, 1505, 1509, 1517, 1519, and 1523 departures from Seattle. 

 

Sounder North weekday service remains reduced from four round trips to two round trips, with cancellation of the 1701 and 1705 departures from Everett and the 1700 and 1704 departures from Seattle. 

 

Riders will find more information on the specific trips cancelled at https://www.soundtra...reduced-service and via rider alerts, which they can sign up to receive electronically.

 

During the COVID-19 response 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, including service reductions affecting other agencies.

 

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. At this time normal service will continue on Tacoma Link.

 

Sound Transit has suspended fare requirements on all buses and trains until further notice to help protect transit employees and riders through social distancing. In addition, ST Express passengers will board and exit buses through rear doors whenever possible, increasing separation from operators whose dedication enables Sound Transit to continue service. People with disabilities who need to use the boarding ramp or the lowering feature of the bus may still board via the front door and use the priority seating area. 

 

Riders should sign up for rider alerts to ensure that they receive up-to-date information about service changes, or visit www.soundtransit.org. The language line 1-800-823-9230 is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons.

 

Complete release w/bus information.

[CNJRoss]

5/1/20 (Excerpt)

 

 

 

We may have lost track of the days but we're pretty sure it's May! Here at The Platform in April, we celebrated Earth Month and our frontline workers, while continuing to share news about COVID-19 and our system expansion efforts as we move through this crisis. Thanks for following along, and thanks for all you're doing to flatten the curve and help the community. We're looking forward to a more sustainable future and brighter days ahead. 

 

 

Responding to continued COVID-19 concerns

 

Though we're seeing positive signs of the spread slowing in our area, we're still encouraging people to use transit for essential trips only. Check this blog post for the latest information on frequencies, schedules and more if you must travel.

Read more

 

 

Rider safety during COVID-19

 

We want to help everyone who has to be out in public, including transit operators, security officers and essential workers, stay safe. Please wear a mask and contact our security hotline if you see anything amiss in buses, trains or stations.

Stay safe

 

SNIP

 

 

 

Sound Transit construction overview amid COVID-19 response

In light of the latest announcement from the governor, we're looking to resume construction on a project-by-project basis. We will also work with our contractors to verify safety and worker training measures.

Next steps

 

 

Funding public transit to spearhead post-Coronavirus recovery

 

Read the guest column by Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Passenger Transport publication about our industry and our region's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Call to action

 

SNIP

 

 

Missing travel? Try these virtual field trips

 

Our Instagram followers know that we usually visit a different construction site every week and share the photos on Field Trip Friday. We shared some destinations that you can ‘visit’ with your family from your living room!

Check it out

 

 

 

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit news release

 

Reduced fare options will accompany June 1 reintroduction of fares on Link and Sounder   

 

Recovery Fares to be offered through June 30 during promotion of ORCA LIFT to riders experiencing financial hardships; campaign will emphasize face coverings directive 

May 18, 2020

 

 

Effective June 1, Sound Transit will offer temporarily reduced Recovery Fares in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 as the agency re-introduces fares on Link light rail and Sounder. Service on Link will also increase at the same time, with trains running every 20 minutes during the day until after the p.m. peak. Link will continue to run every 30 minutes during evenings and on weekends. 
 
The Recovery Fares come as the region prepares for the next phases of recovery and the expected gradual return of riders. The fare of $1 on Link and $2 on Sounder will be available from ticket vending machines through June 30. During this period, Sound Transit will redouble its promotion of ORCA Lift, a reduced-fare program that gives income-qualified riders discounts of up to 66% on Sound Transit and other regional agencies’ services. Passengers can now qualify apply for ORCA Lift online or over the phone without having to visit a processing site. 
 
In addition to ticket vending machines, Recovery Fare tickets will be available on a contact-free basis through the Transit GO Ticket app. ORCA cards will continue to be charged full fare and can be used for transfers, while Recovery Fare paper tickets and Transit GO tickets cannot be used for transfers. 
 
All transit staff will continue to wear face masks, and all Sound Transit passengers will be directed to wear face coverings consistent with expanded public health directives. Under current health directives customers are reminded to limit travel to essential trips. Riders should also follow social distancing and other critical health guidelines to protect the community. Sound Transit will continue expanded disinfecting of transit vehicles and facilities, with particular emphasis on ticket vending machines and other high-touch areas including hand rails. 
 
Beyond providing money to support transit operations, the resumption of fares will also allow Sound Transit to increase safety and security for essential riders. The agency saw a dramatic increase in unsanitary conditions, rider complaints and incidents of vandalism after fares were temporarily suspended in March. The issues have been associated in part with riders taking repetitive trips without apparent destinations. 
 
For now ST Express buses will continue to remain fare-free on a temporary basis to enable rear-door boarding to protect bus operators. By contrast, rail operators are protected in their own compartments. Even so, seats outside those enclosed compartments will continue to be cordoned off as an extra safety measure. 
 
Beginning Tuesday, May 19, fare enforcement officers will begin educating riders about the resumption of fares, including the Temporary Recovery Fare, and providing information about ORCA Lift. Once fares resume, fare enforcement officers will follow social distancing guidelines and request that riders show an ORCA card, a Transit GO Ticket app activated ticket, or a ticket as proof of payment. 

The Sounder reductions that have been in effect will continue at this time. Sounder South weekday service is reduced to seven round trips. The cancelled northbound trips are the 1502, 1506, 1508 and 1518 departures from Lakewood, and the 1516 and 1522 departures from Tacoma. The canceled southbound trips are the 1503, 1505, 1509, 1517, 1519, and 1523 departures from Seattle. 
 
Sounder North weekday service remains reduced from four round trips to two round trips, with cancellation of the 1701 and 1705 departures from Everett and the 1700 and 1704 departures from Seattle. 
 
Riders will find more information on the specific trips cancelled at https://www.soundtra...reduced-service
and via rider alerts, which they can sign up to receive electronically.
 
During the COVID-19 response 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, including service reductions affecting other agencies.
 
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. At this time normal service will continue on Tacoma Link.
 
Riders should sign up for rider alerts to ensure that they receive up-to-date information about service changes, or visit www.soundtransit.org. The language line 1-800-823-9230 is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons.

 

[CNJRoss]

Metro Magazine 5/19/20
 

Sound Transit to reintroduce fares at a reduced rate

 

 

Seattle’s Sound Transit will begin offering temporarily reduced Recovery Fares in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 as the agency re-introduces fares on Link light rail and Sounder, beginning June 1. Service on Link will also increase at the same time, with trains running every 20 minutes during the day until after the p.m. peak. Link will continue to run every 30 minutes during evenings and on weekends.

 

The Recovery Fares come as the region prepares for the next phases of recovery and the expected gradual return of riders. The fare of $1 on Link and $2 on Sounder will be available from ticket vending machines through June 30. During this period, Sound Transit will redouble its promotion of ORCA Lift, a reduced-fare program that gives income-qualified riders discounts of up to 66% on Sound Transit and other regional agencies’ services. Passengers can now apply for ORCA Lift online or over the phone without having to visit a processing site.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit email 6/1/20
 

Sound Transit: Temporary Recovery Fares and Service Revisions beginning today, June 1

 

 

Effective today, June 1, Sound Transit is offering temporarily reduced Recovery Fares in response to the economic impact of COVID-19, as the agency re-introduces fares on Link light rail and Sounder. Service on Link is also increasing at the same time, with trains running every 20 minutes during the day until after the P.M. commute. Link will continue to run every 30 minutes during evenings and on weekends. Link schedules are posted online at SoundTransit.org.

 

Temporary Recovery Fares come as the region prepares for the next phases of recovery and the expected gradual return of riders. The fare of $1 on Link and $2 on Sounder is available from ticket vending machines through June 30. In addition to ticket vending machines, Recovery Fare tickets are available on a contact-free basis through the Transit GO Ticket app. Riders using ORCA cards, including ORCA LIFT, will continue to be charged full fare and can be used for transfers. Recovery Fare paper tickets and Transit GO tickets cannot be used for transfers.

 

Sound Transit is redoubling its promotion of ORCA Lift, a reduced-fare program that gives income-qualified riders discounts of up to 66% on Sound Transit and other regional agencies’ services. Passengers can now qualify apply for ORCA Lift online or over the phone without having to visit a processing site.

 

Beyond providing money to support transit operations, the resumption of fares is also allowing Sound Transit to increase safety and security for essential riders. The agency saw a dramatic increase in unsanitary conditions, rider complaints and incidents of vandalism after fares were temporarily suspended in March. The issues have been associated in part with riders taking repetitive trips without apparent destinations.

 

All transit staff will continue to wear face masks, and all Sound Transit passengers will be directed to wear face coverings consistent with expanded public health directives. Under current health directives customers are reminded to limit travel to essential trips. Riders should also follow social distancing and other critical health guidelines to protect the community. Sound Transit will continue expanded disinfecting of transit vehicles and facilities, with particular emphasis on ticket vending machines and other high-touch areas including hand rails.

 

Beginning Tuesday, May 19, fare enforcement officers began educating riders about the resumption of fares, including the Temporary Recovery Fare, and providing information about ORCA Lift. With fares resuming, fare enforcement officers will follow social distancing guidelines and request that riders show an ORCA card, a Transit GO Ticket app activated ticket, or a ticket as proof of payment.

 

The Sounder reductions that have been in effect will continue at this time. Sounder South weekday service is reduced to seven round trips. The cancelled northbound trips are the 1502, 1506, 1508 and 1518 departures from Lakewood, and the 1516 and 1522 departures from Tacoma. The canceled southbound trips are the 1503, 1505, 1509, 1517, 1519, and 1523 departures from Seattle. 

Sounder North weekday service remains reduced from four round trips to two round trips, with cancellation of the 1701 and 1705 departures from Everett and the 1700 and 1704 departures from Seattle. 

 

Passengers will find more information on the specific trips cancelled at https://www.soundtra...reduced-service

 

During the COVID-19 response 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, including service reductions affecting other agencies.

 

At this time normal service will continue on Tacoma Link.

 

The Sound Transit language line is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons at 1-800-823-9230

 

Sound Transit would like to remind our riders that the Sound Transit Security Desk is staffed 24/7. If you ever see anything unsanitary or have public safety concerns on board or at a station, send a text to: 206-398-5268. In an emergency, always call 911.

 

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading. 6/4/20:

 

 

   Sound Transit to consider project delays to save tax revenue  

 

 

 

Sound Transit leaders yesterday informed the agency's board members that some projects should be delayed or canceled in order to preserve tax money to expand its system in the future.

 

Story

 

Cross posted in Coronavirus & regular threads.

[CNJRoss]

Sound Transit email 6/30/20
 

Resuming Standard Fares on Link light rail and Sounder July 1st

 

 

Temporary Recovery Fare options began on Link light rail and Sounder trains on June 1.  At the end of service tonight, June 30, temporary recovery fares expire and fares return to regular full fares published for Link light rail and Sounder service beginning July 1.

 

On July 1st fare will also resume on ST Express bus service. Fare collection is dependent on the completion of safety measure being installed at the front of our buses, so some routes may continue to be fare-free until these measures are complete. More information about the resumption of fares can be found here, https://www.soundtra...ume-july-1-flat.

 

When fare collection resumes, Sound Transit will also transition to a single flat fare of $3.25 for all Adult riders on ST Express buses, regardless of distance traveled. Flat fares for ORCA LIFT, youth, seniors and riders with disabilities were implemented in July 2018. The new fare system aligns ST Express service with the flat fares charged by other regional agencies, including King County Metro and Community Transit. By eliminating fare zones, this change increases fares by 50 cents for trips within one county, and reduces fares by 50 cents for trips that cross county lines. More information on the flat fare is available at SoundTransit.org/flatfare.