Story perspectives

Sound Transit’s 2 Line Opens, Sets US Light-Rail Ridership Record

6/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sound Transit opened the 2 Line across Lake Washington on March 28, 2026, raising daily boardings to about 155,000.
The opening day recorded 205,000 boardings, the system’s highest single-day total.
April 2026 rides rose to 4.8 million, a 44 % jump that lifted average daily ridership to roughly 150,000–155,000.
Sound Transit now leads U.S. light-rail ridership, overtaking Los Angeles, and still aims for about 600,000 daily riders by the 2040s despite ST3 project delays.

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Story summary

Sound Transit opened the 2 Line across Lake Washington on March 28, 2026, raising daily boardings to about 155,000.
The opening day recorded 205,000 boardings, the system’s highest single-day total.
April 2026 rides rose to 4.8 million, a 44 % jump that lifted average daily ridership to roughly 150,000–155,000.
Sound Transit now leads U.S. light-rail ridership, overtaking Los Angeles, and still aims for about 600,000 daily riders by the 2040s despite ST3 project delays.