Light-rail system debuts Saturday in Seattle

[marmar]

via Detroit Free Press:




Light-rail system debuts Saturday in Seattle
By TIM KLASS • Associated Press • July 16, 2009


SEATTLE — More than four decades after political wrangling and recession ran a mass transit rail plan for Seattle off the tracks, trains are finally running.

Passenger service on the new Link system begins Saturday with live music, free rides and shuttle service to some stations, ending the city’s status as one of the nation’s largest without a dedicated rail transit system.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Nicole Von Suhr, 43, an emergency room physician who lives a few blocks from a new light rail station in south Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. She said she looks forward to taking it to the airport and downtown.

Officials are planning for 40,000 to 50,000 riders on opening day, when the Seattle Sounders will be playing a soccer exhibition game with Chelsea of the English Premier League before some 60,000 fans and thousands will be heading out to the daylong Bite of Seattle restaurant festival at the Seattle Center. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20090716/NEWS07/90715086/Light-rail-system-to-debut-in-Seattle

[The empressof all]

1. I have a confession

I guess I haven't been paying attention to the local goings on for a while! :wow: :spank:

We were driving up north from the airport last week and I saw one of these trains doing a test run and I was it was a shocker. I didn't know we were this close to having a line started.

What a surprise....Too bad Keith is on a 5 and I can't bring myself to pick up a copy of the Seattle Times. Guess I'm gonna have to find an online source for local news. It's not good to be that out of it with your local community.

[Mrs. Overall]

2. I'm in the Seattle area, too, and I didn't realize it was beginning operation

this weekend either.

I'm not sure our local news has really pushed the story or at least given it catchy headlines.

[The empressof all]

3. I didn't know what the heck it was!

It was almost surreal--Like we were in another city or transported 10 years into the future. I know there's a great deal of controversy about it....But it made me happy. Now we just need it in the North end and Eastside burbs. There is some talk about commuter rail running out of Snohomish and through Woodinville and beyond.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. WONDERFUL. And I'm happy for this guy...

"To see the trains finally rolling is a joy for Jim Ellis, 87, a retired municipal bond lawyer who has been advocating rail transit in Seattle for more than 40 years."

Forty stinkin' years.