Sounder North may end in 2033

A Sounder North train waits at Everett Station (SounderBruce).

Yesterday, the Sound Transit Board Executive Committee reviewed a proposal assembled by the three county executives to realign ST3 for the second time. Although much of the hubbub since has focused on certain decisions presented in that proposal, including plans to temporarily truncate the Ballard Link Extension to Seattle Center and indefinite deferral of the south Seattle infill stations, an understated assumption of the plan includes discontinuation of the Sounder N Line beginning in 2033.

Draft Resolution No. R2026-11 lists several assumptions, including discontinuation of Sounder North in 2033 (Sound Transit).

In 2003, Sound Transit purchased a perpetual right from BNSF to run passenger trains on the Burlington Northern tracks between Everett and downtown Seattle for $385 million. Unfortunately, the Sounder N Line (known as Sounder North) has never quite lived up to expectations, and ending operations of the line has been a been contentious but common thread whenever Sound Transit's operations are in question.

The Sounder N Line lags the S Line in recovery from pre-2020 ridership to today (Sound Transit). Click to enlarge.

Although the N Line lags its S Line counterpart in ridership recovery, ending service in 2033 would permanently leave riders from Edmonds and Mukilteo without a fast connection to Downtown Seattle. Riders used to boarding at Sounder's north terminus would have to wait until 2041 for Link light rail to reach Everett Station. Additionally, it's unclear what would happen to Sound Transit's hard-fought and paid-for right to run eight trains daily amongst BNSF's freight operations along the route.

It is also unclear how significant the savings from ending the N Line in 2033 could be relative to Sound Transit's massive capital expansion plans, but those who wish for this service to continue at least until the Everett Link Extension is completed should write strongly worded letters to Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers and the rest of the Sound Transit Board.

The Sound Transit Executive Committee will be holding a special meeting next week at an undetermined date and time to hear additional public comment regarding the proposed realignment of ST3.