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2026 Spring | Business & Sustainability, Education & Outreach, Policy & Regulation

Track to the Future: Ways to Boost Light Rail Ridership

Student(s):

Julian Lopez

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Thomas Powers

Partner(s):

  • Seattle Subway Foundation

Faculty advisor(s):

Cory Struthers, Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington

Sound Transit’s Link light rail system is the largest public transit investment in the history of the Pacific Northwest. The system, which runs entirely on carbon-free energy, operates in three counties and already serves 37.8 million people annually. As the system matures and expands, the Puget Sound region faces a critical question: what can be done to make sure the system delivers the ridership and, therefore, sustainability benefits it is fully capable of? This study aimed to examine which policy and governance reforms can most effectively boost Link light rail ridership across the Puget Sound.

As a legislative intern with the Seattle Subway Foundation, an all-volunteer transit advocacy nonprofit, I investigated this question by analyzing relevant literature and writing policy briefs. In addition, I conducted interviews with transit experts, including elected officials governing Sound Transit, and administered surveys at public outreach events to gather perspectives on transit needs, problems, and policy preferences.

Findings identify three key areas where governance and policy reforms should be prioritized. First, Sound Transit needs expanded permitting and real estate authority to complete transit-oriented development projects on time. Second, the region needs strengthened mixed-mode transportation connections to and from light rail stations. Third, Sound Transit would benefit from increased financial capacity through statewide legislative tools.

Together, reforms in these areas address structural, institutional, and financial barriers that limit ridership growth. Implementing them would enable the carbon-free Link to more fully deliver on its goals of being both a mobility and sustainability asset in the region.