Transit Agencies in Puget Sound – Riding Sound Transit Sounder

Heavy Rail - Sounder train

Corrected 1-15-2013 10:17am

Brian Doennebrink is writing a series of articles on local transportation options

Transit Agencies in Puget Sound –  Riding Sound Transit Sounder

By Brian Doennebrink

Sounder-north operates between Everett Station and downtown Seattle, with our nearest station in Edmonds.

Train fares are based on distance traveled, and Day passes are two times the one-way fare. Their website has a matrix of fares. For instance, an Adult passenger (see that fare matrix below) has a $3.50 fare for a trip from Edmonds to/from Seattle. The corresponding Youth fares are $2.50, while Regional Reduced Fare Permit holders have a $1.75 fare. There are a couple of trips in each direction that are operated by Amtrak, but require either a Rail Pass validation or payment of the regular Amtrak fare, which is higher (see website).

Connections to Shoreline and beyond can be made via Community Transit buses that run on all days except Sundays and major holidays. For instance, their route #130 travels between Aurora Village and the Edmonds station via North 205th. Or, one can park at the Edmonds station, but there are only 156 spaces. Recently, an additional 53 temporary parking spaces were added at 190 Sunset Avenue South, to be replaced by a 103 space lot that is being constructed with an anticipated opening date of May 1.

Sounder trains only operate weekdays – except major holidays - and for special events, e.g., Seahawks, FC Sounders, and Mariners games. At this time of year, a big caveat is the prevalence of mudslides along the route, which translates into closure of the route for a required 48 hours with alternative bus service provided. Thus, it is advisable to check the Sound Transit website when planning to ride the Sounder-north. Train cars with 100, 300 and 400 series numbers, marked on the outside of the car, are equipped with Wi-fi access, subject to availability.

A more-robust and reliable Sounder option operates from Seattle to Lakewood, just south of Tacoma (extension just opened October 2012), There are two a.m. trips from Seattle to Tacoma – great for reverse commuters – and seven p.m. trains starting at 3:15 p.m., the last five traveling to Lakewood. Nine trains run northbound, seven in the a.m., the first five starting at Lakewood, after that from Tacoma, and two for reverse commuters in the p.m.