More than 17,000 people joined Sound Transit last weekend to celebrate the opening of the 2 Line from South Bellevue to Redmond.
The ceremony started Saturday morning at the Downtown Bellevue Station, where Councilmember Claudia Balducci introduced a host of speakers, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, who both serve on transportation committees and subcommittees, and Governor Jay Inslee. Attendees also heard from construction managers, planners, corporation spokespeople who helped fund the project and climate activists about the importance of accessible and sustainable transportation.
Soon after the ribbon was cut, thousands flooded the platform in anticipation of riding the new line. People flooded the platforms in anticipation, causing Sound Transit to deploy two extra trains to help with the overflow. Participants were able to ride the line and stop at the stations to enjoy the live music, food trucks and performances.
Through laser pointers within the train car, Sound Transit estimated 35,000 boardings on Saturday. It is estimated normal ridership will be about 4,500 to 7,000 boardings a day. The 2 Line will run seven days a week, every ten minutes, from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.