KPLU Local News
(2009-07-16)
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A Link light rail train moves through Seattle's International District transit center on Thursday, July 16th, during a test run.
Photo by KPLU's Gary Davis.
"It's a chance to celebrate the opening of light rail, to explore the stations, the facilities, and explore the neighborhoods that light rail is coming to," says Sound Transit spokeswoman Linda Robson.
The official ribbon-cutting, feature Seattle's and Tukwila's mayors, takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the system's midpoint, the Mount Baker station. After that, the trains are free to ride until 8 p.m. On Sunday, the free service runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no round-trip service this weekend. Sound Transit is offering shuttles that will drive along the route to take you back to your starting point.
On Monday morning, everything changes. "You will You have to pay your fare in order to ride," says Robson.
At first, she says there will be four ways to pay. You can buy your ticket at the station. Valid bus passes from one of the regional carriers, such as Metro's Flex pass will work. Or, if you're making a connection by bus, a transfer will suffice. But by the end of the year, bus transfers will no longer be accepted. Sound Transit wants to move as many riders as possible to the final way to purchase your fare, a regional pre-paid system called the ORCA card. You'll be able to buy them from station vending machines. Robson says it could be a little confusing at first. "We're gonna have extra staff these first few weeks to make sure that people know how to pay their fares and they're dong it properly and they're getting the help that they need."
The most important thing for riders to remember, she says, is to pay for your ticket before you get on the train. Fare inspectors will be on board, and may suddenly ask you to prove you've paid. If you can't, it's a $124 fine, quite a penalty for a trip that costs $2.50 from end to end. Gary Davis, KPLU News, Seattle.
Sound Transit's Link Light Rail web page
Central Link Route Map
Fare Information & Fare Chart
ORCA Card Information
Light Rail testing video from You Tube, posted by css903 on July 16, 2009
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