Tacoma — Streetcar Displayed

Rail Transit Online, February 2003

One of the three Czech-made Astra streetcars that will equip the Tacoma Link downtown circulator was placed on public display by Sound Transit on Jan. 21.  The 66-ft. (20.1 meter), double-articulated car will remain at Westlake Park through Feb. 21.  The 1.6-mi. (2.57 km), five-station line is scheduled to begin operation in September with cars running on a 10-min. headway.  ST officials report Tacoma Link is 80-percent complete and should be finished on time and below its $80-million budget.  Of the $62,454 cost for the display, Sound Transit’s marketing budget will pay $47,454 and the remainder will come from three private sector sponsors: Puget Sound Transit Consultants, LTK Engineering Services and Otak Inc.  All three firms have previously been awarded light rail contracts by Sound Transit.