Hi, Seattle Dopers. I’m cross-posting from the 'Raffe.
I and the Mr. are coming to Seattle in October. We’re trying to decide if we want to take the Seattle light rail from the airport to downtown, and it would be helpful to know the opinion of a local regarding this transport.
Is it safe and clean? Our local light rail is utilized both by regular commuting folk and quite a few skeevy-looking street people I wouldn’t care to share a car with for half an hour, to be honest.
What’s your take?
I’ve taken light rail to and from the airport numerous times, at different times of day, and it’s just fine: clean, safe, easy.
The OP brings up an excellent point. I propose an immediate halt to all current studies and construction while we draft a referendum to take this to the voters. This administration continues to acknowledge the citizenry’s view that transportation infrastructure is critical to Seattle’s growth. Our great-great-great-great-grandchildren will definitely reap the benefits of today’s…umm…procrastination…no, obstructionism… hard work! That’s it! Hard work by your gloriously elected representatives.
Mike McGinn, mayor.
–“The passed buck gets passed on from here”
It is relatively new so it is very clean. I have taken it a couple times to the airport and it was fine. Pretty much like most cities with light rail to the airport–not much different in my experience. Good luck here in Seattle and have fun!
Yup, clean and safe. The only “issue” I had with it is that the trip seemed to be very long, compared with taking a cab. But considering a cab costs like $40 and the train costs like $1, I think that’s pretty fair.
My wife and I were in Seattle earlier in the month and used the light rail from the airport to downtown and back again. Used it both in the morning, and late at night. No problems other than being a bit crowded on the Southbound trip when a Mariners game let out about that time. We used Orca cards which you can use like a debit card on the bus and ferries also. There were plenty of other people on the train with luggage who were obviously coming or going to the airport. From the SeaTac to University St. Tunnel the price was $2.50 each way. I’ve never taken a subway and very, very rarely have ever taken a city bus as I don’t live in a big city and I felt perfectly comfortable taking the light rail in Seattle.