Friday Roundtable: Sound Transit to Pilot Night Owl Bus to Sea-Tac Airport

Sea-Tac/Airport shuttle bus at Tukwila International Blvd station in 2009 (Oran Viriyincy)

Yesterday, Sound Transit's Rider Experience and Operations Committee shared an update on the agency's 2026 Service Plan. Along with aggregated community feedback on the previously shared ST Express service changes, the Sound Transit announced a pilot night-owl route between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle.

Last year, Sound Transit shared a proposal for three night-owl routes between Seattle and Everett, Lakewood, and Redmond. This proposal was well received with about 90% of survey respondents supporting the proposed routes. Negative feedback on the night-owl routes focused on travel times and the proposed routes not serving all stations.

Before the three night-owl routes are (likely) implemented in Fall 2026, Sound Transit will pilot a night-owl route between downtown Seattle and SeaTac Airport. The new route will provide service between SeaTac/Airport, Tukwila International Blvd, SODO, Stadium, International District / Chinatown, Pioneer Square, Symphony, and Westlake stations. Buses will run every 30 minutes between 12am and 4am.

This route will begin service on March 28 and connect late night/early morning travelers and airport employees with most of King County Metro's night owl network.

Feedback from 1,234 survey respondents on the proposed night-owl routes.

This is an open thread.