by Frank Chiachiere on (#3E28T)
Sound Transit and the MVET issue (1:58) Automatic transit lane enforcement (23:25) High Speed Rail(25:57) http://traffic.libsyn.com/seattletransitblog/STB_podcast_054.mp3
Seattle Transit Blog
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| Updated | 2026-05-19 17:20 |
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by Brent White on (#3DZ6G)
Sound Transit has rolled out a survey offering 2 options for restructuring ST Express bus fares. Both options would institute flat reduced fares ($1.50 for low-income and youth riders and $1 for Regional Reduced Fare Permit holders), getting rid of the de facto county line surcharge for each of these payer categories. This is the […]
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by Brent White on (#3DTPN)
While many in the State House have been in a rush to assuage car drivers angry at being taxed more, and trample on Sound Transit’s ability to build the ST3 capital program, one Republican representative has offered a bill that uses some of the lenses we’d expect from Democrats to craft a more economically-progressive twist […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3DQTP)
King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit released the September 2018 service changes to I-90 bus routes, prompted by the closure of the Rainier Freeway Station. Construction of Judkins Park Link Station, part of East Link, requires the closure of the Rainier Freeway Station and the I-90 bus ramp that connects buses to the Downtown Seattle Transit […]
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by Bruce Nourish on (#3DNE3)
In response to growth, Chinese cities choose metros. Highway 99 tunnel in Seattle will open to traffic this fall ($), the state and contractors say. Morning Crank: Resolutely Pro-Housing. Here’s a PDF of PSRC’s funded 2017 Transportation Alternatives funding. Podcast ($): As Seattle faces an even worse traffic nightmare, do officials have a plan or […]
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by Brent White on (#3DMNF)
Last week, State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon introduced House Bill 2403, which would add transit-only lane enforcement cameras to the list of automated traffic safety cameras authorized for use in the state. The bill provides the process for enacting local ordinances for transit-only lane cameras, but sticks to existing language governing the use of such cameras. […]
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by Alon Levy on (#3DHNF)
Earlier this year, Seattle Transit Blog covered possible routes for high-speed rail (HSR) to Vancouver. Zach Shaner wrote the first two parts, and I wrote the last two. In December, Washington State DOT (WSDOT) released a study about the possibility of HSR in the Pacific Northwest. The study is bearish on HSR, with high cost […]
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by Dan Ryan on (#3DF19)
Here’s the idea in a nutshell. Revise the valuation schedule for the MVET, per HB 2201, so that the ST3 MVET (0.8%) is levied on the more accurate 2006 schedule. Pay for it by extending the Sound Move MVET (0.3%) that is otherwise scheduled to expire in 2028. The extended 0.3% MVET can use the […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3DE9N)
Democratic legislators are reexamining legislation that would lower car tab fees, reducing funding for Sound Transit and potentially delaying the expansion of light rail around the region. According to the News Tribune, State Sen. Marko Liias, (D-Lynnwood) said the party is looking at a range of ways to lower car tab fees, but also limit […]
by Brent White on (#3DBQ2)
Say what you will about State Sen. Steve O’Ban’s package of bills and investigations attacking Sound Transit, but at least he’s not circumventing the normal legislative process. When he didn’t get his way last session, he didn’t wait to catch his opponents off guard and strike fast. He took his show on the road to […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3D8ZN)
Spokane’s building a High Performance Transit network.
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3D6RR)
The new SR-99 tunnel has a problem. No, Bertha isn’t stuck again. This time, problem is financial: setting the toll rates. The initial results of an investment-grade analysis of tolling options, performed by a consultant for WSDOT, show that setting a price point for the new tunnel continues to be as tricky a proposition as […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3D42S)
To “promote safety and deter crime,†King County Metro Transit recently began testing two new safety features: driver shields and public viewing monitors, the agency announced in late 2017. For one pilot project, Metro plans to install public viewing monitors on the 33 buses serving the RapidRide A (Tukwila to Federal Way) and F (Burien […]
by Martin H. Duke on (#3D19A)
[Update 2:30pm: I originally misread the tweet below “another day†as “tomorrowâ€. We’re not sure when this is coming to vote, but it doesn’t appear to be today. Sorry for the error.] For obscure scheduling reasons, House Democrats delayed action on HB2201, which would take over $2 billion out of Sound Transit’s funding. It’s a good […]
by Bruce Nourish on (#3D0NM)
2008-2018: Seattle’s transformative decade ($). Radical subway extension and development idea quietly tucked into Cuomo’s State of the State. Of course, the subway system has to actually work before you can sanely consider extending it. A closer look at Seattle’s rising transit ridership. SDOT justifiably toots its own horn. West Seattle light rail: Why you […]
by Martin H. Duke on (#3CXQM)
On Monday Executive Constantine made five nominations to the Sound Transit Board. Each County Executive nominates their county’s delegation, subject to confirmation by the County Council. King County has 10 members, Snohomish 3, and Pierce 4, in proportion to their populations inside the Sound Transit District. The last member is the Washington Secretary of Transportation, […]
by Dan Ryan on (#3CTFG)
WSDOT’s recent study of high speed ground transportation in the Cascadia Corridor raised hopes that much faster rail connections to Vancouver and Portland may be in our future. The Governor has requested a more comprehensive study in 2018. Depending on the technology and alignment chosen, a high-speed rail service could cover operational costs by 2035. […]
by Brent White on (#3CPY2)
The State Legislature returns today for a 2-month session, with formal sessions in both houses beginning at noon. The House Transportation Committee begins work at 3:30 p.m. with a presentation by the governor’s office on the state of state transportation, and a presentation of the governor’s proposed supplemental transportation budget for 2019. The Senate Transportation […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3CM2P)
A panoramic view of the growth that has taken place in Seattle over the last three years using photos from the Space Needle’s PanoCam.
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3CJ0Q)
Sound Transit laid out a new process to streamline project development for the Ballard and West Seattle Link Extensions, emphasizing the need for key decisions to be made this year to expedite the delivery of light rail. Major considerations include two water crossings, the configuration of the new downtown transit tunnel and the locations of […]
by Lizz Giordano on (#3CFJS)
As Seattle works toward Vision Zero, data from SDOT’s annual traffic report found that collisions with fatal or serious injury jumped 16.5% in 2016, even as traffic volumes remained nearly unchanged. In early 2015, the city launched its Vision Zero initiative with the goal of ending all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, with […]
by Bruce Nourish on (#3CCPY)
The subway built New York; now it must be repaired at any price ($). Jonathan Mahler’s survey of the history and present of the New York subway is a tour de force. If you read only one thing this week, make it this. Transit riders in Wenatchee ($) can now use their smartphone to buy a […]
by Frank Chiachiere on (#3CARP)
Amtrak derailment (1:46) Positive train control (4:56) Free Metro on New Years’ Eve (16:47) Jarrett Walker vs. Elon Musk (21:10) The Dangers of Elite Projection The most expensive mile of subway on Earth (24:58) Transit Riders Union, taxes, and advocacy (33:35) Streetcar turns 10 (42:22) Lynnwood Link garages (51:40) http://traffic.libsyn.com/seattletransitblog/STB_podcast_053.mp3
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by Dan Ryan on (#3C9X3)
Elected leaders from across King County will gather on February 2 to consider legislative strategy and revenue options for the Regional Transportation System Initiative. A Technical Committee of City and County staff have identified $20 billion of regional roads improvements (in 2018 constant dollars) to be funded by 2040. With that analysis in hand, the next […]
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by STB Editorial Board on (#3C6YE)
When we last left Lynnwood link, the light rail extension was $500M over budget. Now, per Mike Lindblom in the Seattle Times, that number has dropped to $300M: By nipping here and tucking there, a Sound Transit manager says his team located $200 million in potential savings to ease a budget crisis in the Northgate-to-Lynnwood […]
by Martin H. Duke on (#3C4QP)
2018 is a planning year, not a big one for openings in the Puget Sound region. Openings On July 1st, Metro’s new $2.75 adult flat fare comes into effect. Also, the Regional Reduced Fare Permit — the senior / disabilities version of the ORCA card — will become free some time this year. Amtrak, BNSF, […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3C2M7)
This May, Nashvillians will vote on a transportation plan that includes among many things a three-station downtown transit tunnel shared by rapid buses and light rail trains. Unlike Seattle’s tunnel, it will have all off-board payment.
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3C0H5)
2017 was not a great year, both worldwide and in our little corner of the universe. Here is our customary summary of the 10 most-read and most-commented posts of the past year: Most-Read 1. Mercer Island to Sue Sound Transit, WSDOT (2/13 by Zach Shaner) Mercer Island’s tantrum over HOV lane access was a fine […]
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by Bruce Englehardt on (#3BY4F)
Last week, the Sound Transit Board signed off on a $125.7 million budget for preliminary engineering on the Tacoma Dome Link Extension and a $10.3 million consultant contract for the same project. When the extension opens in 2030, trains will run all the way to the Tacoma Dome multimodal complex on 10 miles of mostly […]
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by David Lawson on (#3BV8C)
Metro recently released a summary of community feedback on its proposal to move a short segment of routes 3 and 4 from James St to Yesler Wy. As we’ve come to expect with proposals to change the oldest parts of Metro’s network, the feedback was deeply muddled. Metro’s Magic 8-Ball said: “Reply Hazy, Try Again.†Online […]
by Bruce Nourish on (#3BRNF)
Seattle test will lead to regulations for dockless bike-share. What the Washington train derailment means for Cascadia high-speed rail. Speed control faces challenges ($), slowly gets rolling on Sounder trains. What Vancouver, B.C., can teach us about housing. When historic preservation clashes with housing affordability. Sightline’s Dan Bertolet catalogs several recent insane decisions from Seattle’s various […]
by David Lawson on (#3BPKB)
More and more of us are riding transit every day. But the numbers say we also drive cars ($). 81 percent of Seattle households (including my own) still own at least one car. Many of those who don’t own cars use car sharing from time to time. Cars aren’t a sustainable solution for the majority […]
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by Brent White on (#3BM09)
With a fresh blanket of snow Christmas morning, even in the lowlands, it is a good time for a refresher on getting all the information you need to find your bus in a snowstorm. First, since it is Christmas, most transit agencies are either running on a Sunday schedule, or off for the holiday, so […]
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by Oran Viriyincy on (#3BJJ8)
A look at the people and technology behind Tokyo Metro’s renowned punctuality, safety, and exceptional customer service.
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by Brent White on (#3BGGZ)
This week has needed some good news on transit, and King County Metro is providing it: From 4 am on New Year’s Eve to 4 am New Year’s Day, riding King County Metro will be free! Metro will be running on its Sunday schedule, but extra trips will be added on routes 1, 3, 4, […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3BEAM)
Despite having all the necessary equipment for positive train control (PTC) operation installed between Everett and Tacoma, the safety system is not fully operational on all Sounder trips, Sound Transit said Wednesday. In a letter to boardmembers, CEO Peter Rogoff said that currently, due to technical issues associated with new deployments, only about 56% of […]
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by Bruce Nourish on (#3BAYF)
Unsurprisingly, regional and national transportation news has been dominated since Monday by the tragic Amtrak 501 derailment. Because many of our readers are following the news of that accident via traditional or social media, and every outlet is working with the same (small) set of facts, I elected not to try and summarize all the […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3B7Y4)
Over a year and a half after the new State Road 520 bridge opened to car traffic, pedestrians and cyclists will finally be able to cross Lake Washington using the floating bridge. The new 2.7-mile 520 bridge shared-use path, linking Seattle and the Eastside, is set to open at 3pm on December 20. Not […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3B5Z4)
Although the human impacts are miniscule compared to those of the accident itself, there will be only minor changes to Amtrak Cascades service until further notice. According to Janet Matkin of WSDOT, the state has already taken possession of enough rolling stock to run all scheduled Cascades trips. Obviously, these trips will take the old route […]
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by Bruce Englehardt on (#3B5CW)
With the national attention that yesterday’s tragic derailment is getting, we felt it would be best to provide a bit of context about the accident’s site: the Point Defiance Bypass. While it is a “new†railroad, built primarily for passenger use, the corridor is over a century old and some pieces date back decades. The […]
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by Bruce Nourish on (#3B21G)
Amtrak Cascades #501 south from Seattle derailed this morning, while crossing over I-5 in the vicinity of Mounts Road, west of Dupont. There are at least three casualties, many injuries, and some carriages are a total loss. Our thoughts are with survivors, and the families of everyone on board. No root cause has been established, […]
by Lizz Giordano on (#3B1TR)
Yellow shirts filled Seattle City Council chambers, holding posters with hundreds of hand-signed petition along the walls. Members of the Transit Riders Union were out in force to voice their opinions to councilmembers, but the topic this time wasn’t potential bus cuts or a push for a low-income transit pass. Instead, the grassroots organization was […]
by Lizz Giordano on (#3AWY1)
Change is quickly coming to Bellevue as Sound Transit ramps up construction on the East Link Extension. Most recently crews on Monday night began work on the first elevated section of the 14-mile light rail extension, placing two girders that span 112th Avenue Northwest near the future Bellevue Downtown Station. These 117-foot precast girders are […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3AT8G)
10 years ago this month, to great fanfare, Seattle’s modern streetcar line opened, a 1.3-mile route between Westlake and South Lake Union. Though it seems insignificant now, cast your mind back to 2007. The Seattle Monorail Project died just two years earlier, after costing the city $125M. A month before the streetcar opening, the Roads […]
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by Martin H. Duke on (#3AQ4V)
On Monday, the Seattle City Council approved a partnering agreement to accelerate Sound Transit 3 project delivery. The slideshow, the partnering_agreement itself, and Councilmember Lisa Herbold’s thorough writeup are all online. Most of the agreement is just a commitment to working together and being cooperative, but there are some interesting nuggets. Each agency (ST […]
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by Lizz Giordano on (#3AKY1)
When the Alaskan Way Viaduct undergoes demolition next year, WSDOT plans to use the Battery Street Tunnel as a disposal site for the Viaduct’s debris, but a group of residents is pushing for a second life for the 65-year old tunnel. The group Recharge the Battery says anything is better than the current plan to […]
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by Bruce Nourish on (#3AGQJ)
A profile of Seattle’s Chief Traffic Engineer Dongho Chang ($), notably including his sadly-uncommon perspective on civil engineering: “Creating things that enable civilization — where people are gathered — to occur.†On that note, here’s what SDOT is doing to make crossing the Mercer Stroad better for people on foot ($). How City Planning Can […]
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by Frank Chiachiere on (#3AE72)
Seattle City Council Member Rob Johnson joins the podcast to talk ST3, HALA, Key Arena and more. ST3 – Crossing the ship canal (1:30) ST3 – West Seattle (5:57) ST3 – Permitting (8:50) 130th Street (14:47) Car tabs (18:46) HALA (23:52) Parking (27:40) Beyond HALA (31:21) Move Seattle Levy (33:29) Key Arena (38:58) http://traffic.libsyn.com/seattletransitblog/STB_podcast_052.mp3