Sounder commuter rail: Difference between revisions
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|ridership = 9,761 (2009 Q1 Daily)<ref name='q1_2009_ridership'>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/newsroom/Ridership_Q1_2009.pdf |title=First Quarter 2009 Systemwide Ridership |accessdate=2009-05-29 |format=PDF |publisher=[[Sound Transit]] }}</ref> |
|ridership = 9,761 (2009 Q1 Daily)<ref name='q1_2009_ridership'>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/newsroom/Ridership_Q1_2009.pdf |title=First Quarter 2009 Systemwide Ridership |accessdate=2009-05-29 |format=PDF |publisher=[[Sound Transit]] }}</ref> |
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|annual_ridership= 2,811,891 (2012)<ref>http://www.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/rider_news/ridership/monthly/2012_12_RidershipSummary.pdf</ref> |
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|track_gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}} ([[standard gauge]]) |
|track_gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}} ([[standard gauge]]) |
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|marks = SDRX |
|marks = SDRX |
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Revision as of 09:16, 12 February 2013
| Sound Transit Sounder Commuter Rail | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 | |||
| Overview | |||
| Owner | Sound Transit | ||
| Locale | Puget Sound, Washington King County, Washington Pierce County, Washington Snohomish County, Washington | ||
| Transit type | Commuter rail | ||
| Number of lines | 2 | ||
| Number of stations | 9 (3 under construction) | ||
| Daily ridership | 9,761 (2009 Q1 Daily)[1] | ||
| Annual ridership | 2,811,891 (2012)[2] | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | December 21, 2003 (North line) September 18, 2000 (South line) | ||
| Operator(s) | BNSF Railway | ||
| Reporting marks | SDRX | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 82 miles (132 km) | ||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) | ||
| |||
Sounder commuter rail (reporting mark SDRX) is a regional rail service operated by BNSF on behalf of Sound Transit.[3] Service operates Monday through Friday during peak hours from Seattle, Washington, north to Everett and south to Lakewood. As of 2011, schedules serve the traditional peak commutes, with most trains running inbound to Seattle in the morning and outbound in the afternoon. Two daily round-trips run the "reverse commute" to and from Tacoma.[4] Additional Sounder trains operate on some Saturdays and Sundays for travel to and from Seahawks and Sounders games at CenturyLink Field and Mariners games at Safeco Field. Both stadiums are a short walk from King Street Station.
Service history
South Line
The South Line began service with two round trip trains on September 18, 2000 with stops in Tacoma, Sumner and Auburn that terminated in Seattle. Puyallup and Kent stations were added February 5, 2001; with Tukwila being added March 12, 2001. There are currently nine round trips on the South Line,[5] with two operating in the reverse commute direction. This is the maximum number of trains permitted under the current contract with BNSF, whose tracks the trains run on.
In July 2010, Sound Transit reached a new agreement with BNSF, valued at $185 million, which grants Sound Transit permanent access to the South Line corridor, as well as allowing four more daily round trips to begin, starting in 2012 and continuing through 2015.[5]
On October 8, 2012, the extension to South Tacoma and Lakewood stations was inaugurated,[6] with five daily round trips, all of which are in the peak direction, serving the new stations.[7]
The average weekday ridership in 2010 on the South Line was 8,300, down 7% from 2009 due to continued low employment in Downtown Seattle. Ridership is expected to increase in 2011 and 2012 as the economy begins to recover, and also because the service to South Tacoma and Lakewood began on October 8, 2012.[6]
North Line
The 35 miles (56 km) Everett to Seattle line started with a Seahawks Game train on December 21, 2003. Regular service started on the 22nd with one morning train to Seattle and one evening train back. A second round trip train was added on June 6, 2005 to help increased ridership, a third was added in September 2007, and there are now four. There are currently three stops along the North Line: Edmonds, Mukilteo and Everett. On May 31, 2008 the Mukilteo station opened and trains started stopping at the station.[8][9]
In September 2008, an additional train was added to the line, bringing the total number to four round trips in the peak direction. Additionally, Sound Transit partners with Amtrak Cascades to allow Sounder riders to use the two trains per day that Amtrak Cascades operates to Bellingham, WA and Vancouver, BC through the RailPlus program. This allows commuters to use the Sounder fare structure between Everett and Seattle. The program is available only to riders who use monthly passes. The Amtrak Cascades trains do not stop at Mukilteo.
Weekday ridership on the North Line was roughly 1,100 in 2010.[10]
Future Planning
Amtrak Cascades will also benefit from this project, as it is an integral part in the Point Defiance Bypass route currently planned by WSDOT.
Due to the passage of 2008's regional Proposition 1, platform length extensions, up to four additional South Line round trips, and potential stations at Ballard and Broad Street on the North Line are in planning.
Edmonds Station relocation includes a new east platform with larger passenger loading area and weather protected passenger shelter. The parking area will be updated, improved lighting will cover the platforms and parking, secure bike storage will be available and public art is ready for installation. The project will also construct a transit center at the north end of the station to accommodate Community Transit bus service with two passenger shelters and three bus bays. Once a second mainline has been added by the railway in the future, a new west platform will be constructed and the north portion of the east platform will be completed. This project is currently underway and expected to complete in early 2011.
Fleet
| Model | Manufactured | Road Numbers | Number In Fleet | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locomotives | |||||
| EMD F59PHI [3] | 1999–2001 | 901 - 911 | 11 | ||
| MotivePower MP40PH-3C[11][12] | 2012 | N/A | 3 | On order for 2012 | |
| Cab Cars | |||||
| Bombardier BiLevel Cab Car [3] | 1999–2001 | 101 - 118 | 18 | 104, 106-108 leased to Metrolink | |
| Coaches | |||||
| Bombardier BiLevel Coach [3] | 1999–2001 | 201 - 240 | 40 | 210, 213, 231, 232, 237-240 leased to Metrolink | |
References
- ^ "First Quarter 2009 Systemwide Ridership" (PDF). Sound Transit. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
- ^ http://www.soundtransit.org/Documents/pdf/rider_news/ridership/monthly/2012_12_RidershipSummary.pdf
- ^ a b c d "Sounder Commuter Rail Train Specifications". Sound Transit. 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Sound Transit: Sounder Commuter Rail Schedules
- ^ a b "Sound Transit approves four new Seattle-Tacoma round trips". Trains Magazine. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ^ a b [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Pesznecker, Scott (May 31, 2008). "Sounder begins service to Mukilteo today". Everett Herald. Everett Herald. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
- ^ "Mukilteo Station". Sound Transit. 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ 2011 SIP, page 26
- ^ "SunRail, Sound Transit order MotivePower locomotives". Trains Magazine. September 12, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ http://www.wabtec.com/upload/pressrelease/09.08.11%20-%20MPI%20Locomotive%20Orders.pdf
External links
Mass transit in the Puget Sound region | |
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| Local and express bus | |
| Light rail |
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| Streetcar |
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| Commuter rail | |
| Bus rapid transit | |
| Ferry | |
| Monorail |
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| People mover | |
| Historic | |
| Other | |
Italics denote lines or services which are planned, under construction, defunct, or otherwise not operating at the present time. | |
