New Sounder cars start service today

New Sounder cars start service today

Sound Transit is rolling out new Sounder coach cars into service beginning today. The cars are part of an 11-car order approved by the Sound Transit Board in 2020 totaling three passenger cab cars and eight coaches. All the cars were manufactured by Alstom under a $46.5 million contract and come into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.

Riders will begin seeing the new cars Monday, June 1 on the S Line beginning with five coach cars being part of Train 1507, departing King Street Station at 2:25 p.m. The new coach cars will return to Seattle from Lakewood as Train 1520, departing at 3:52 p.m.

The new cars have USB and power outlets at every seat, more theater-style seating, additional leg room for some seats and a new bike rack design versus the current fleet.

Additionally, all the cars being purchased include the latest safety design features known as Crash Energy Management (CEM), a technology designed to absorb energy in the event of a collision. The main elements include an “energy absorption zone” at each end of the car and couplers that can absorb energy between cars. Cab cars also feature a full-width windshield for enhanced operator sightlines.

https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/new-sounder-cars-start-service-today