Seattle light rail opening draws 92,000-plus riders

Service concluded on Sunday evening with approximately 51,000 in 10 hours on Saturday and 41,000 over an eight-hour period on Sunday. Operations ran smoothly all weekend.

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July 20, 2009

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Opening weekend for Sound Transit light rail service concluded on Sunday evening with more than 92,000 boardings — approximately 51,000 in 10 hours on Saturday and 41,000 over an eight-hour period on Sunday.

"The crowds at light rail stations throughout the weekend showed the excitement people feel as we have become a light rail region," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. "That excitement about our mass transit future will only grow as we continue to build and expand on the light rail system."

Operations ran smoothly all weekend.

Central Link light rail trains will start rolling again on Monday at about 5 a.m. as regular service gets under way. Service will span 20 hours Monday through Saturday and 18 hours on Sunday.

Starting Monday, riders will pay fares to ride Link light rail. Regular adult fares range from $1.75 up to $2.50. The ticket vending machines at each of the stations dispense Link tickets and ORCA cards. Valid transit passes and bus transfer slips are also recognized as proof of payment on Link light rail.

Topics:light rail mayors Sound Transit Rail

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