Sound Transit is giving a most service boost to light rail later this month. In an announcement last night, the agency revealed that light rail frequencies would be improved to every six minutes during peak morning and afternoon hours each weekday. The improved frequency isn’t insubstantial; going from 7.5-minute to 6-minute frequencies during the peak represents a nearly 25% increase. The agency says that this service improvement is part of an effort to prepare for forthcoming service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington due early next year. Here’s how the changes stack up against the service of today:
Central Link Weekday Frequencies
| Today | Future | |
|---|---|---|
| 5am-6am | Every 15 minutes | Every 15 minutes |
| 6am-8.30am | Every 7.5 minutes | Every 6 minutes |
| 8.30am-3pm | Every 10 minutes | Every 10 minutes |
| 3pm-6.30pm | Every 7.5 minutes | Every 6 minutes |
| 6.30pm-9pm | Every 10 minutes | Every 10 minutes |
| 9pm-1am | Every 15 minutes | Every 15 minutes |
Service increases will begin on Monday, September 28th. For full timetables of northbound and southbound trains, visit Sound Transit’s new schedule page.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.