Central Link Light Rail Opens

Michael Miller, Accessibility Manager for Sound Transit's Mobility Initiative Program

Sound Transit will be starting Link Light Rail service on July 18 and July 19. Join us to celebrate the beginning of Link Light Rail!

The new Link light rail trains and stations are designed for easy accessibility, as shown here at the Tukwila International Blvd Station. Pictured is Rebecca Bell, a former member of the Sound Transit Citizens' Accessibility Advisory Committee. Link passenger service begins in July. ______________

Central Link light rail is a new and exciting transportation option that is fully accessible to passengers with disabilities and seniors.

Electric-powered light rail trains are fast and dependable. Exclusive tracks allow trains to avoid congestion, and offer you reliable service 20 hours a day.

Link runs from the Westlake station in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel to the Tukwila-International Boulevard Station. The trains stop at all tunnel stations, as well as at the Stadium, SODO, Beacon Hill, Mt. Baker, Columbia City, Othello, and Rainier Beach stations. Later this year, the extension of the line from Tukwila to SeaTac Airport will be completed. Until then, there will be a bus connection from Tukwila to the airport.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Mt. Baker station on Saturday, July 18 from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. If you want to attend this ceremony and need an interpreter, please contact Sound Transit no later than June 19.

The ride on opening weekend is free. We are expecting large crowds for the opening weekend, and the wait to board a train could be up to three hours. Please come prepared with water and snacks to get you through the wait.

If you ride the train to the end of the line at Westlake Station or Tukwila station, you will be required to get off the train. When you get off, you will need to go to the end of the line and wait to get on again for the return trip. There will also be buses stopping at each station for people who do not want to wait in line again.

Link Light Rail Passenger Tips

After the opening weekend, trains start running just after 5 a.m. (6 a.m. Sunday) and typically arrive every 10 minutes. During rush hours, trains operate even more frequently, so you never need to memorize a schedule. Trains run until nearly 1 a.m. (midnight on Sunday).

Simply use your ORCA card or buy your ticket or pass at ticket vending machines located at all stations. As the train approaches, stay behind the yellow textured strip and wait for the train to stop. The doors open automatically. 

Link trains feature level boarding. You will board directly from the platform without climbing steps or using a lift or ramp. The small gap between the platform edge and the train floor is narrow enough to safely roll past or step across.

Keep your ticket or pass handy. When the train is moving, a fare inspector may ask to see it. You could be fined if you do not have a valid ticket or pass.

All upcoming stations are announced on the train. Trains stop at all stations, so you do not need to signal the driver.

Unlike on Sounder trains or ST Express buses, Link train operators are in the train's cab and are unavailable to assist passengers boarding or de-boarding.

Each Link car has four designated wheelchair areas. The Link ride is normally smooth and steady, so there is no need for wheelchair securements. Just roll to the designated area and set the brakes on your mobility device.

Each car has an emergency call button marked in both Braille and raised letters. The buttons are in easy reach of wheelchair riders and are located on the bottom of the flip up seats in the wheelchair area.

All Central Link stations have unique accessibility features not found in other transit facilities.

A tactile braid paver guides riders who are blind or partially sighted from the entrance through the station to the platform boarding area. A larger "knot" in the braid indicates that extra attention must be paid to the immediate environment, such as ticket vending machines, information kiosks, and telephones.

A two-foot wide strip of yellow textured pavers designates the platform edge. All riders must stay behind the textured pavers until the train has completely stopped.

A six-foot-by-six-foot square of ribbed tactile pavers tells you where the train's doors will open on the platform. Blind riders should always use their other travel skills to verify that the area in front of them is the vehicle entrance.

Each station has an accessible emergency phone or call button that connects directly to the operations center. The stations are monitored by closed circuit television and patrolled by Sound Transit Police.

Sound Transit provides travel instruction to seniors and riders with disabilities. This training is geared toward the individual rider's needs, how to ride the train, safety around the track, and transferring between buses and light rail. For more information, contact the King County Metro Transit Instruction Program contractor at 206-749-4242/ TTY Relay 711.

Notes About Link Safety

Link light rail trains are electric and quieter than buses, although not as silent as hybrid cars. All trains will sound their horns or bells if needed to warn pedestrians when approaching vehicle or pedestrian crossings. The alerts will give people time to move to a safe location.

Trains have priority at intersections. As a train approaches, lights for all regular traffic and pedestrians crossing the tracks will turn red until the train passes through the intersection.  

The pedestrian crossings have accessible signals that indicate when it is safe to cross. The buttons produce both an audible signal and a vibration. ___________________

All intersections or pedestrian crossings are controlled by walk signals. You can start crossing when you see the walk sign (walking man), but do not start when the orange hand flashes. Pedestrians in the crossing when the solid orange hand is flashing should have enough time to cross the intersection. Despite the wide street, signals are timed so a person walking at a normal pace can cross from curb to curb. The pedestrian refuge area in the middle of the street also provides a safe place for those who need it. 

If you have a disability that prevents you from riding Link, you may be eligible for paratransit services. For more information, call King County Metro's Accessible Services office at 206-263-3113. If you have to dial "1" first to reach that number, call toll free 1-866-205-5001/TTY 711. You can also reach Accessible Services by fax at 206-205-6490 or by e-mail at accessible.services@kingcounty.gov.

For questions about Link accessibility or alternate formats, please contact Sound Transit Accessible Services at accessibility@soundtranist.org, 206-398-5000 or 1-888-889-6368. TTY users should use the statewide relay at 711.