Tyler Wynn
Sound Transit does not currently offer regular Sounder train services on weekends. However, Sounder trains do run on weekends for select major events, such as Mariners, Sounders FC, and Seahawks games. The Sounder train provides a convenient way to get to Seattle without having to drive or worry about parking. While there is no regular weekend service as of yet, Sound Transit has shown interest in expanding its services, conducting surveys to gauge public interest in weekend trains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Regular Sounder service on weekends | No |
| Weekend ridership | 2019: 5.1 million, June 2022 to June 2023: 7.4 million |
| Survey on Sounder S Line priorities | Yes |
| Survey result | 9 out of 10 people want new trips, 82% support adding weekend service |
| Sounder trains run on weekends | Yes, typically around sporting events or concerts |
| Sounder trains run on Saturdays | Yes, but not regularly. They run on Saturdays when there are special events at Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Sounder train runs on Saturdays for select major weekend events
- Sound Transit runs Sounder trains from Lakewood and Everett
- There is no regular service on the weekends
- Sound Transit is reexamining the Sounder South Strategic Plan
- Sounder trains share tracks with freight and other passenger rail services
The Sounder train runs on Saturdays for select major weekend events
Sound Transit does not currently operate regular Sounder train services on weekends. However, the Sounder train runs on select Saturdays for major events, typically sporting events or concerts. The train runs from Lakewood and Everett to Seattle's King Street Station in Pioneer Square, providing easy access to the city's attractions and neighbourhoods. Passengers can use the Sound Transit events calendar to plan their trips, as it provides information on when the train will depart and return, usually 35 minutes after an event ends.
While Sound Transit has not implemented regular weekend Sounder services, there is a clear demand for it. Data shows that weekend ridership on Link, Sounder's heavy rail counterpart, has increased by 45% from 2019 to 2023, indicating a shift towards rail transit. In addition, a survey conducted by Sound Transit in 2023 received responses from over 5,600 people, with 82% expressing support for adding weekend service.
The lack of weekend Sounder service limits transit options for those who work outside typical office hours and those making non-work trips. Implementing weekend service would provide a more affordable and environmentally friendly transportation alternative for peripheral residents. However, adding weekend service requires negotiations with BNSF Railway, which owns most of the tracks used by Sounder trains.
Sound Transit is reexamining the Sounder South Strategic Plan to address changing travel patterns and strong demand for weekend service. While there are ongoing discussions about expanding service and adding new trips, the agency has also invested in parking-oriented projects, indicating a need to balance parking and transit priorities. As Sound Transit continues to gather feedback and conduct analysis, it remains committed to improving mobility options for its passengers.
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Sound Transit runs Sounder trains from Lakewood and Everett
Sound Transit does run Sounder trains from Lakewood and Everett, but typically only around sporting events or concerts on the weekend. The trains arrive at and depart from King Street Station in Pioneer Square, Seattle. While you don't have to attend the event to ride the train, the schedule is often based around the event times. For example, the train will usually depart around 35 minutes after a game ends.
The Sounder train is a great option for those wanting to explore Seattle without having to drive or pay for parking. From King Street Station, it is easy to transfer to other forms of public transit to continue exploring the city. For example, the train arrives across the street from the International District-Chinatown Station for easy access to the Link light rail. From there, you can head uptown, to Capitol Hill, or the University of Washington. Alternatively, you can hop off at Westlake Station and take the Monorail to the Seattle Center.
To check when the Sounder train is running, you can consult the Sound Transit events calendar. This will tell you what time the train leaves your station and when it will return. You can pay for your ticket with an ORCA card, a Day Pass, or through the Transit Go Ticket app. Station agents are available at the platform to provide assistance.
While Sound Transit does run Sounder trains on the weekend, it is not a regular service. The agency has not yet implemented a consistent weekend schedule, despite demand and strong weekend ridership on Link. Sound Transit's other services, such as the "ST Express" bus service, have experienced a drop in ridership since the pandemic, suggesting that people in the region prefer rail to bus transit options. Sounder trains currently cater exclusively to those working typical office hours, and increasing weekend service would provide a more affordable and eco-friendly transportation option for those with non-traditional work schedules.
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There is no regular service on the weekends
Sound Transit does not currently provide regular Sounder train services on weekends. However, it does run special event trains to major weekend events, such as Mariners, Sounders FC, and Seahawks games. These trains are not exclusively for sports fans, and anyone can take the opportunity to explore Seattle without having to drive or pay for parking. The train arrives at King Street Station in Pioneer Square, with easy access to the rest of the city.
While Sound Transit is yet to implement regular weekend services, there is a clear demand for it. The Link light rail service has seen a 45% increase in weekend ridership from 2019 to 2023, indicating a preference for rail over bus services. In 2023, Sound Transit conducted a survey to gauge public interest in adding weekend Sounder train services. The survey, available in multiple languages, was accessible online and in person at various locations.
The results of the survey showed that 82% of respondents supported adding weekend service. This demand for weekend services is driven by changing travel patterns, with many employees now working remotely or adopting hybrid work models. Sounder S Line ridership in 2023 was at 50% of pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 160,000 monthly boardings compared to 340,000 in 2019.
The implementation of weekend services for the Sounder train is not a straightforward process. Sound Transit would need to engage in discussions with the BNSF Railway, which owns most of the tracks the Sounder runs on, before making any changes to the schedule. Despite the challenges, there is a clear mandate from voters and riders for increased public transit options, and Sound Transit should work towards providing regular weekend Sounder train services to meet this demand.
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Sound Transit is reexamining the Sounder South Strategic Plan
Prior to the pandemic, Sounder South (S Line) trips experienced high ridership during peak commuting periods, with commuters travelling northbound to Seattle in the mornings and southbound in the afternoons. This trend was expected to continue, leading to the prioritization of longer trains over new trips in the 2019 Strategic Plan. However, the pandemic and the subsequent shift in work patterns have altered commuting behaviours.
The updated Strategic Plan will evaluate the possibility of introducing new trips during off-peak hours, in the evenings, or on weekends. Any changes to the existing schedule or the introduction of new trips will require approval and negotiation with BNSF Railway, which owns most of the tracks used by Sounder. Sound Transit's goal is to not only address the evolving needs of commuters but also to enhance accessibility and sustainability for all riders, including those with non-traditional work schedules and those seeking non-work travel options.
The Sounder South Capacity Expansion project, approved by voters in 2016, includes expanding Sounder platforms to accommodate longer trains and increasing overall capacity. Sound Transit is committed to advancing near-term improvements, such as enhancing parking options and accessibility, while also studying longer-term strategic options. Public outreach and input are integral to this process, with Sound Transit seeking feedback on priorities for the Sounder service through surveys and engagement opportunities.
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Sounder trains share tracks with freight and other passenger rail services
Sound Transit runs Sounder trains from Lakewood and Everett to many weekend day games when the Mariners, Sounders FC or Seahawks are in town. The train arrives at King Street Station in historic Pioneer Square, and passengers can explore Seattle from there. However, Sounder trains do not run regularly on weekends. The trains are usually scheduled around sporting events or concerts.
The Sounder commuter rail system has 12 stations, with each station having at least one platform that is 500 to 600 feet (150 to 180 m) long. These stations are spaced several miles apart to allow for faster average speeds than local systems. The Sounder is split into two lines that intersect at King Street Station in Seattle: the N Line to Everett and the S Line to Tacoma and Lakewood.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sounder train does not run regularly on Saturdays. However, it does operate on some weekends during special events, like Mariners and Seahawks games.
The Sounder train sometimes runs during weekends for special events at Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park.
You can check the Sound Transit events calendar to see when special game trains are running.
Sound Transit has stated that the prevalence of hybrid and remote work has reduced ridership. Surveys indicate that there is demand for weekend service, and Sound Transit is reexamining its strategic plan.
The Sounder train runs from Lakewood and Everett to King Street Station in Pioneer Square, Seattle.
