Tacoma — Tacoma Link Opens

Rail Transit Online, September 2003

The 1.6-mi. (2.57 km) Tacoma Link streetcar line opened amid great pomp and ceremony on Aug. 22, marking completion of the first phase in Sound Transit’s electric rail program.  The line, which is fare-free, connects the Tacoma Dome Transit Center with South Ninth and Commerce streets in the theater district using three Czech-made Astra streetcars.  The official first car rolled through a barrage of fireworks and confetti as officials and residents cheered.  “This is a delicious taste of what's going to be delivered 40 mi. (64.3 km) north of here,” said Sound Transit board chairman and King County Executive Ron Sims, referring to Central Link light rail in Seattle, construction of which has just gotten underway.  Large crowds rode the Tacoma line all day once the speeches ended.  The route serves a growing retail, residential and restaurant area at South 25th Street; Union Station; a University of Washington campus; and a convention center that’s now under construction.  Tacoma Link cost $80.4 million and will run on a 10-min. headway from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  The Sunday schedule calls for a car every 20 min. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Already being discussed is a quarter-mile (0.4 km) extension to a planned Indian casino.