It’s been just over two hours since light rail trains began carrying passengers throughout the Rainier Valley and many stations – like Mt. Baker (above) – are virtually empty.
Columbia City (above) – where many businesses teamed up to host a sidewalk sale designed to lure riders nearly a half-mile from the station to the historic shopping district – seemed all but deserted shortly before noon on Saturday.
Up at the Beacon Hill station (above), El Centro de la Raza is valiantly trying to raise money with $5 parking, but there’s so many open curbs around the station that not many drivers seemed to notice.
Othello neighbor and RVP photojournalist Will Austin has already traveled the length of the entire line this morning and says that Othello Station (above) is the busiest. Look for more updates, including photos from Will to be published throughout the day!
Sound Transit spokesperson Bruce Gray said that by 12:15 pm, about 13,000 riders had climbed aboard.
“Central Link light rail service got underway this morning without a hitch. The weather is beautiful and wait times are minimal, generally in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 minutes at most stations.”
With the free service offered today and tomorrow, this weekend is a great opportunity to get acquainted with Seattle’s shiny new light rail system and the diverse communities around the stations.
1) Mt. Baker Station, 2) Historic Columbia City Business District, 3) Beacon Hill Station, 4) Othello Station, 5) Rainier Beach Station. Photos/do communications, inc.
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
{ 13 comments }
I think the crowds got heavier throughout the day. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon ride.
Ok, I have to admit, I rode train number two today…………………light rail is definitely a failure. 90% of the riders were soccer fans…………..
We need park n rides in SE seattle. The mayor’s vision sucks. Even the volunteers admited park n rides were necessary.
SSSL
OMG! How pathetically out of turn to dub light rail a failure before its first day of operation is over. I’m still seeing trains packed full of happy people coming by my front window. There were cheers at Westlake today when trains pulled up. Christ, give the choo choo lovers their day, SSSL.
SSSL – bitter much?
@ blossom – not really……had to let the bitterness go after the city refused to take the efforts of the Save Our Valley crew seriously. It is what it is and it isn’t much of anything right now…………….just a $2.4 billion dollar ride for travellers to take from downtown to the airport in December – but maybe they won’t since a taxi is faster?
SSSL
@ John – I’m a choo choo lover and want nothing more than for light rail to be successful.
You are right, however, after a month of statistics are collected we can pass judgement. So, this will be my last post on this subject until August 24th 2009. I will cross my fingers and hope it works out.
However, my cynicism also tells me the Mayor will hide the statistics on ridership just like he did on crime facts. Only until recently did we learn the 40 year low on crime was a farce for our community. The city will hide the information as best they can for as long as they can. Time to file the FOIA / PDR requests now………….
SSSL
( I will hold true to my word and won’t be back on this subject until August 24th)
@SSSL – an entire month? before you pass judgment? How magnanimous of you.
Between you and Tom A., our local taxi businesses will be booming.
@ Trellis – For me, I will never get over that we spent $2.4 billion on a rail system for tourists when we could have put in a North South system that went along the I-5 Corridor. It is what it is unfortunately – with the 2016 expansion it will get better.
To your comment on my magnamicity, what do you think is a good amount of time before passing judgement? It is important if the system isn’t working well the community has to put pressure on the city to make changes for the positive. Even though I personally don’t like the way Light Rail was developed in the Rainier Valley, I’m going to try and influence changes were I think it is appropriate.
While the rail line can’t be put underground, it can be made safer, more accessible through park n rides, and maybe better shuttle services/bus routes.
Tom A.
You can have your own train car this morning.
@Tom A.
A “rail system for tourists” is a slogan. It does not reflect reality. Many of our own neighbors have discovered that Link cuts their commute times downtown by half.
Link took decades. Give it a decent interval – 6 months – before “passing judgment.” What complex system built by humans can be built perfectly? Constructive criticism is good and welcome. See a great example of this here: http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/07/20/small-things-i-want-from-link/ .
Please don’t carry the torch for park and rides. Seriously. It’s a non-starter that’s espoused by people who don’t get the big picture.
We decided to ride light rail this weekend, but we went to Tukwilla station because they have a park and ride. We waited in line 20min to get
a ticket to board the train went to Westlake, where we needed access to a
restroom, and of course there was none, McDonald’s refused to let us use
the facilities without buying something, so it was a race to Macy’s once that was done we went back to ride the train back we waited, had many buses go by and finally the train. Tukwilla had the foresight to put in a park and ride and maybe there will be ridership from there, but even on Sunday it was to capacity! Those in the city council that have consistently voted against park and rides need to revisit this issue,
and one council person was seen leaving her car at the Citadel on Othello and MLK to board light rail, what hypocrisy!
“and one council person was seen leaving her car at the Citadel on Othello and MLK to board light rail, what hypocrisy!”
Come on now don’t leave us hanging, who was it?
@Mariana – you, too? See my comments above to @Tom A.
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