The February 26th Sound Transit Board meeting video included a Public Comment period when some 15 Issaquah residents showed up in purple T-shirts to advocate, “Save Issaquah Light Rail”. The Prop 1 ST3 voters approved in 2016 had included a 4 Line light rail route between Lynnwood and Issaquah. However, the Issaquah presenters were concerned the 4 Line, whose revenue service date had been delayed until 2044, may not be implemented.
They apparently weren’t aware Issaquah commuters along with the rest of the I-90 corridor commuters have a far more immediate transit problem. The March 26th, 2 Line debut into Seattle. Sound Transit plans to continue to, at least initially, use 2-car trains every 8 minutes during peak commute for the cross-lake route. Assuming each 74-seat car can accommodate 150 riders, 2 Line capacity would be limited to 2250 riders per hour.
Sound Transit also intends to use 2 Line to replace bus routes into Seattle. ST550 from Bellevue will be terminated and all I-90 corridor buses will be terminated on Mercer Island. It’s not clear how many of the current 2 Line or ST550 boarders will choose to use the 2 Line for the commute into Seattle.
The Issaquah commuter problem, along with the other I-90 corridor transit riders and Mercer Island commuters will be they are the last eastside station with access to the 2 Line trains. Whatever current 2 Line or former ST550 commuters use 2 Line into Seattle will reduce access to those attempting to get on at Mercer Island station. With 2250-riders-per-hour 2 Line capacity, a “likely” frequent loss of access.
The bottom line is Sound Transit’s decision for 2-car trains for 2 Line is a far more immediate problem for Issaquah commuters than any decision regarding any 4 Line delay or loss.
No comments:
Post a Comment