Seattle's Sound Transit sets all-time ridership mark
The ridership numbers reported to the Sound Transit Board mirror regional trends showing transit ridership has grown twice as fast as population over the past five years, according to the Puget Sound Regional Council.
Seattle’s Sound Transit riders set all-time annual records in 2015 for boardings on commuter trains, buses and light rail in central Puget Sound. Sound Transit had an estimated 34.9 million total boardings last year, a 6% increase over 2014. Average weekday boardings were 116,839 in 2015.
"We continue to set new records for ridership by providing fast, reliable alternatives to driving,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “More people than ever in our region are choosing transit to get to their destination."
Ad Loading...
Sound Transit’s ST Express regional bus system led the nation in number of “Commuter Bus” boardings for 2015. Under Federal Transit Administration reporting guidelines, Commuter Bus routes are those that primarily connect outlying areas with a central city through bus services that operate with at least five miles of continuous closed-door service.
ST Express buses connect employment and housing centers in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties and operate primarily on interstate highways with limited stops.
The ridership numbers reported to the Sound Transit Board mirror regional trends showing transit ridership has grown twice as fast as population over the past five years, according to the Puget Sound Regional Council. Light rail has added about one million riders a year since 2010.
The breakdown for average weekday boardings in 2015:
Sounder commuter rail: 14,600 – a 15% increase from 2014.
Link light rail: 35,573 – an 8% increase from 2014.
ST Express regional buses: 62,981 - a 3% increase from 2014.
Ad Loading...
Sound Transit services saw impressive overall growth in addition to the average weekday boardings.
Here's a look at the 2015 annual boardings by the numbers:
Sounder commuter rail: 3.8 million boardings, 13% increase from 2014.
Link light rail: 11.7 million boardings, 7% increase from 2014.
ST Express regional buses: 18.3 million boardings, 4% increase from 2014.
What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.
What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.
In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.
Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.
In his first State of CDTA address as CEO, Frank Annicaro highlighted the organization’s continued focus on delivering reliable service, investing in innovation, and strengthening connections across the region.
The special episode features an exclusive interview with Mark Miller, president of Constellation Software Inc. and executive chairman of the Volaris Group, who reflects on the podcast's early vision and the importance of creating a platform where transit leaders can share ideas and learn from one another.
The CAD facility enables NFI to complete full domestic production of heavy-duty transit vehicles, including zero-emission buses, in Winnipeg for the first time in 15 years.
The findings provide clear evidence that sustained Federal investment in public transit and passenger rail delivers significant returns for workers, communities, taxpayers, and the U.S. economy, APTA officials said.
