Thirteen years later, Seattle gets rapid transit (Rainier: homes, live in)

[Backstrom]

Thirteen effin years after voters greenlight the initial segment, Seattle opens its first rapid transit line tomorrow (7/18). After countless hurdles, we finally have something to go forward on. Link light rail opening festivities last for most of the day on Saturday, and all rides are free the entire weekend. Trains come every 7.5 minutes and there will be shuttle buses shadowing the line for those who don't want to wait for another train back.

I'll be there in the afternoon, tweeting, and taking pictures. Anyone else going?

[AzDreamer]

Since the new light rail is slower than existing bus line I don't see how you can call it rapid.

[W & C]

Yeah, I'm riding it to the Sounders game tomorrow from Westlake

[Backstrom]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

Since the new light rail is slower than existing bus line I don't see how you can call it rapid.

194 only runs along the busway and I-5, but does not cover Beacon Hill or the Rainier Valley. Considering that SODO is not residential, this is clearly an unfair comparison. You don't seem to know what an initial segment is. Once U-link and ultimately North Link opens and the tunnel is cleared of buses, ST can reduce headways, expand its rolling stock fleet, utilize 4-car LRVs, and ultimately reduce travel times.

And by the way, "rapid transit" is generic nomenclature. I wasn't using it arbitrarily.

[SaltyDawg]

of what Rapid Transit is designed to do never ceases to amaze me.

What we have is a permanent route that doesn't have to deal with the vagaries of surface and interstate traffic, and that is the base for what will - in 15 years - be a somewhat comprehensive system for moving people from their homes to jobs, entertainment, and elsewhere in the city.

Sure, you can argue about the places that aren't covered, but I'm excited to see the first piece get up and running. If Portland is an example, we could end up with an enviable system that takes away the necessity of having a car if you live in the city. The sort of thing that takes Seattle from mid-sized regional city center to a legitimate metropolis center.

[SteelCityRising]

A city as large as Seattle didn't have light rail service until this past weekend?! WOW!

[Ira500]

In 1968, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1970, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1995, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1996, they voted for it, promising 25 miles of track and 100,000 daily riders.
13 years later, they have built a line 14 miles long and are now expecting about 20,000 daily riders.
Don't get me wrong. I rode it yesterday and loved it, and think it will ultimately be very successful, and there are more segments coming, first to the airport, then to Capitol Hill and the U district, then up to Northgate and to the eastside.

[SonicsFan93]

Originally Posted by Ira500

In 1968, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1970, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1995, the Seattle voters turned down light rail. In 1996, they voted for it, promising 25 miles of track and 100,000 daily riders.
13 years later, they have built a line 14 miles long and are now expecting about 20,000 daily riders.
Don't get me wrong. I rode it yesterday and loved it, and think it will ultimately be very successful, and there are more segments coming, first to the airport, then to Capitol Hill and the U district, then up to Northgate and to the eastside.

How ironic that we turned down Safeco Field funding that same year. But, it got done, and now we have a outstanding gem! Hopefully light rail will turn out the same way!

[jzt83]

Ironic how less cultured cities in the South have had light-rail longer than Seattle.