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Sound Transit light, commuter rail services see boost in 2018 ridership

Overall, the agency's ridership for 2018 grew 2.9% to more than 48 million riders.

February 22, 2019
Sound Transit light, commuter rail services see boost in 2018 ridership

ST Express service decreased slightly, while Tacoma Link ridership was negatively affected by the closure of the Tacoma Dome for renovations last summer.

Sound Transit

1 min to read


ST Express service decreased slightly, while Tacoma Link ridership was negatively affected by the closure of the Tacoma Dome for renovations last summer. Sound Transit

In 2018, Sound Transit continued to see significant growth in rail ridership, as Link light rail ridership increased 6.1% over 2017 and Sounder ridership increased 4.5%.

“Our steady ridership growth further confirms the urgency of the light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit expansions our region’s voters approved,” said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. “These gains benefit all commuters and will keep coming as more people seize the opportunity to escape congestion and as light rail reaches Northgate in 2021, the Eastside in 2023, and Lynnwood and Federal Way in 2024.”

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According to the most recent data available from the American Public Transportation Association, transit ridership nationally declined 1.75% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter 2017, with light rail ridership dropping more than 3.5%.

Overall, Sound Transit ridership for 2018 grew 2.9% to more than 48 million riders. ST Express service decreased slightly, while Tacoma Link ridership was negatively affected by the closure of the Tacoma Dome for renovations last summer.

To view the ridership report, click here.

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