Sounder commuter rail boardings, which includes stops in Kent, were up more than 7 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2013.
Total Sound Transit boardings increased more than 9 percent. Boardings increased on all modes except Tacoma Link and Paratransit, according to a Sound Transit media release and the quarterly report from April through June.
Transit officials said ridership growth is trending well ahead of the annual budget forecasts. Gradually improving local economic conditions, population growth and relatively low unemployment have contributed to ridership increases throughout most of the Sound Transit service area.
ST Express buses were up almost 7 percent more boardings in the second quarter compared with the same period of 2013. Average weekday boardings reached almost 62,000, a new quarterly record. No major service changes took place during the quarter.
Central Link light rail had the highest growth of any Sound Transit mode, increasing by over 16 percent for the quarter and surpassing 1 million boardings in the month of June for the first time since service began.
Tacoma Link light rail boardings were down by 3 percent for the quarter. While discouraging, the rate of decline has slowed compared with recent quarters.
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