Sounder in Lakewood

Sound Transit is currently breaking ground on the new Sounder Station in Lakewood. That’s great news. Within a couple of years, there should be Sounder Train service connecting Lakewood and giving residents the opportunity to commute to work and stay off the road. This is exactly what needs to be done to help the traffic situation in Western Washington. I wish the Sounder service would be expanded to include more than just servicing the I-5 corridor. If anyone has attempted to drive I-5 between Olympia and Everett during rush hour, you know what I’m talking about. Also, getting to the East Side is a complete nightmare as well. What still concerns me is why there isn’t an even bigger push by our political leaders to expand mass transportation. Obviously, not everyone in WA is going to use the service. But results show that usage has been greater than expected. And also unfortunate is the fact that the option of using rail is only limited to weekdays and certain sporting events. I personally love using the Sounder and do so whenever I get the chance. Between the Sounder and Link Light Rail, we have viable examples of what can happen if our governments truly commit to building mass transit that is more than just a necessary evil. Washington is continually growing and I’m not sure that what is being done is completely sufficient. We can do more and should demand more from our government. Let’s press the issue further and make potential government leaders see that there is a mandate of mass transit improvement and expansion from the people. You, your emotional well-being, and calendar will be better off for doing so.