Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of service for the South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar. Launched on December 12, 2007, the streetcar line has now served over three million riders and exceeded initial ridership forecasts. In fact, average weekday ridership increased from 1,000 in the first months of operations to nearly 3,000 daily riders by fall 2012.
The streetcar is now amongst the most productive transit routes in Seattle as measured by rides per service hour. In 2011 the streetcar served 62 riders per service hour, exceeding the average of Metro trolley buses of 49 riders per service hour.
In a tangible acknowledgement of its success, local businesses funded a demonstration program to increase service during the afternoon peak and have since extended this operating support through 2014.
So our thanks to everyone – streetcar riders, transit advocates and local businesses – for your great support of Seattle’s first modern streetcar line!