Friday Roundtable: Sound Transit’s 2027 Service Plan Proposal

Route 512 at Everett Station. (Michael Smith)

Sound Transit has unveiled their initial proposal for the 2027 service plan. These changes are relatively minor compared to the Fall 2026 service changes that will take effect in August. This proposal includes changes for routes 510, 512, 532, 535, 545, 560, and Link.

Routes 510 and 512

In Everett, early-morning Route 510 trips and late-night Route 512 trips would be truncated at Everett Station. This removes the four stops in downtown Everett north of the station.

Map of proposed changes for routes 510 and 512. (Sound Transit)Routes 532 and 535

In preparation for the Stride S2 Line opening in 2029, WSDOT and Sound Transit have built a new freeway station at I-405 & NE 85th St in Kirkland. Sound Transit is proposing adding the stop to routes 532 and 535 when it opens in 2027.

Map of proposed changes for routes 532 and 535. (Sound Transit)Route 545

In Redmond, Sound Transit is proposing a Route 545 reroute that would better serve Downtown Redmond station. The stops at Redmond Way & 166th St would be replaced by new stops at the Link station, one block south.

Map of proposed changes for Route 545. (Sound Transit)Route 560

The biggest change in this proposed plan is with Route 560. The agency planning on truncating it in Burien in favor of increased frequency. This shorter route is closer to the planned route for the Stride S1 Line that will replace Route 560 in 2028. With this change, Route 560 would run every 20 minutes during the day on weekdays and every 30 minutes in the evenings and on weekends.

Map of proposed changes for Route 560. (Sound Transit)Link 1 Line and 2 Line

Like any complex system, Link requires regular maintenance and repairs. This work is usually completed during the 4-hour period overnight when trains are not running. To reduce the number of service disruptions, Sound Transit is exploring options for increasing regular maintenance opportunities. This could include:

• More planned weekend Link closures (with bus bridges)
• Ending Link service earlier at night
• Starting Link service later in the morning
• Single-tracking trains around work areas during service hours
• Truncating service on some trips (likely late-night trips)

All of these options have tradeoffs, including keeping the system as is. An expanded night bus network would help mitigate reduced Link service hours and truncated routes. The single-tracking approach would maintain the first and last trips each day, but could cut train frequencies to 20 or 30 minutes.

What do you think?

Sound Transit is accepting feedback on the proposed changes via this survey. The agency is also hosting a virtual information session on July 21 from 6pm to 7pm. More information about the proposal and the information session are available here.

This is an open thread.