Sound Transit has put new Alstom-built Sounder cars into passenger service on the S Line between Seattle and Lakewood.
The order covers three cab cars and eight coaches under a USD 46.5m contract. The new cars add USB and power outlets at every seat, more theatre-style seating, additional leg room at selected seats and a revised bicycle rack design compared with Sound Transit’s existing Sounder fleet.
All 11 cars include Crash Energy Management equipment, with energy absorption zones at each end of the car and couplers designed to absorb collision energy between vehicles. The cab cars also include a full-width windshield to improve driver visibility.
Sound Transit ordered the cars jointly with California’s San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and North County Transit District. The combined procurement was used to reduce the unit price through a larger order.
The cars entering service have completed inspections, systems testing and commissioning. Sounder S Line services link Pierce County and South King County with Seattle on weekdays and selected weekend special events, while the N Line operates between Everett and Seattle via Mukilteo and Edmonds.
