Total Sound Transit boardings increased nearly 10 percent during the third quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2013.
Year-to-date boardings totaled almost 24.8 million, on pace to exceed the SIP forecast of 31.1 million Sound Transit boardings for calendar year 2014. Ridership was up from July through September on all modes except Tacoma Link and Paratransit.
ST Express bus boardings were up 6.5 percent, with all but two routes showing increases. Growth in commuter ridership was evident with an 8 percent increase in average weekday boardings, from 57,934 to 62,549. ST Express service levels have remained consistent with 2013 service levels throughout 2014.
Sounder commuter rail, which serves Kent, experienced an impressive 13.5 percent increase in total boardings. Average weekday ridership exceeded 13,000 boardings, a new record, and both lines experienced growth. High ridership on weekend event trains also contributed towards the overall increase.
Tacoma Link light rail boardings declined during the quarter, continuing a trend that started during the fourth quarter of 2012. However, the decline was very small at 0.2 percent indicating that the trend may be bottoming out.
Central Link light rail boardings were up 15.3 percent for the quarter, with weekday ridership averaging 37,242 boardings, an 18 percent increase compared to the third quarter last year.
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