First new Link light rail vehicles enter passenger service

The first of Sound Transit’s new Series 2 light rail vehicles entered passenger service today, giving passenger first-hand experience with new cars that will more than triple Sound Transit’s fleet as the agency moves toward the opening of the Northgate Link extension on October 2.  Passengers riding the new vehicles will see several improvements in on-board systems and passenger experience over the current Series 1 light rail vehicles. Each of the new vehicles will provide 70 seats, with larger windows, a wider center-car aisle, more seats with space to stow luggage, and four bicycle hooks—twice as many as provided currently. Each car will come equipped with dynamic passenger information displays and LED lighting improvements. “The introduction of the new Series 2 light rail vehicles comes as we enter three years of unprecedented system expansion,” said University Place Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Chair Kent Keel. “By 2024 Link will nearly triple in size, making it easier than ever for people to avoid highways clogged with traffic.” “These new cars will increasingly become the mainstay of our Link light rail fleet, improving our riders’ experiences as service expands north to Northgate and Lynnwood, south to Federal Way and east to Bellevue and…
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