Sound Transit to add longer trains to handle growing demand

SEATTLE – Sound Transit is putting some longer trains on its light rail tracks to help with increased demands at new stations.

The Seattle Times reported that beginning Monday, three-car trains will alternate with the usual two-car trains.

Transit spokesman Bruce Gray said passengers have been finding full platforms and trains at peak times since the agency opened a new $1.8 billion tunnel from Westlake Station to UW and Capitol Hill on Saturday.

Additionally, greater demand is expected Monday when University of Washington classes resume.

Gray said the most-used rail segment is between Pioneer Square and the International District/Chinatown Stations but that the Capitol Hill-Westlake stretch is expected to be the busiest in the future.