Sound Transit announced this week that it is seeking public input on proposed changes to service in 2021, as well as feedback on how service changes related to COVID-19 have impacted passengers and if the current system design is meeting their needs.
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Sound Transit responded to reduced ridership demand by reducing service on ST Express routes, Link light rail and Sounder trains. In response to increases in ridership, Sound Transit is planning to add service on Link, Sounder and adjust some ST Express routes starting Sept. 19-21.
Sound Transit says it hopes to continue to operate these levels of service stably through the next service change, in March of 2021. Sound Transit services are subject to the possibility of further increases or decreases after September 2020 based on levels of future passenger demand and COVID-19 financial impacts.
Sound Transit is currently planning for what service should look like beyond March 2021. Considerations include at where services are most needed, where demand might increase, and which passengers depend most on services. At the same time, the agency is looking at the Northgate Link light rail extension opening in fall 2021 and considering how to reroute some of services to connect with the extension’s three new stations in north Seattle (U District, Roosevelt and Northgate).
Comment on the proposed service changes
Sound Transit invites the public to comment on the plan by phone or email through Friday, September 25, 2020, or by participating in a virtual public hearing. The public can comment on the service changes several ways.
Virtual public hearing is Sept. 24
Sound Transit will be holding a virtual public hearing to gather comment on the proposed service changes on Thursday, September 24, starting at 11 a.m.
In order to comment at the virtual public hearing, you will need to sign up in advance. The sign up window will be open from 8 a.m. on the day of the hearing until five minutes before the hearing’s scheduled start time. Sign up requires your name and email address. Commenters will be called on by name in the order they signed up.
To participate in the public hearing via computer or smart phone: https://soundtransit.webex.com/soundtransit/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef48660887089d56a6efb08a30b6902cb, if a password is not already entered, enter the following password: Agency.
To participate in the public hearing via phone: call 415-655-0001 or 206-207-1700, then enter access code: 146 745 7709 and pin code: #.
Online survey
An online survey is available at www.soundtransit.org/sip The survey will also be available in Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Russian, and Korean.
Phone
To take the survey by phone, call 800-201-4900/TTY Relay: 711.
Translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons at 800-823-9230/TTY Relay: 711
The public can also leave comments at 866-940-4387.
Email
Email comments to servicechanges@soundtransit.org
“Sound Transit remains committed to working closely with its partners to continue serving the public. Efforts will continue to prioritize serving riders who depend on Sound Transit’s services, including seniors, people with disabilities, Title VI protected populations (race, color, national origin), low-income and limited-English-proficiency populations. To the greatest extent possible, we will continue to run trains and buses at our earliest and latest normal weekday hours.”