Light-rail ridership rises 8% in March

Sound Transit's new Link light-rail line continues to add customers, posting an 8 percent gain in ridership last month.

The March average of 18,094 boardings per weekday builds on February's count of 16,741 and January's 15,965, according to agency estimates released Thursday. Ridership passed the 20,000 mark four times in March.

Spokesman Bruce Gray said it appears transit riders are gradually adapting to the 16-mile train system, which opened in July. Route changes by King County Metro Transit are feeding more buses to the train stations, between Westlake Center and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The airport rail stop opened in December, and the #194 bus line from downtown to the airport has been discontinued.

Weekend use was relatively low, but ought to improve in April now that baseball and soccer seasons are under way, and festivals resume. Gray said operators have been adding postgame trains to clear out the crowds following Sounders FC soccer games this spring.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com