Seattle's public transit shatters records with 200,000 light rail riders in one day

Public transport in the Seattle area saw a massive surge in usage on Wednesday, September 28, 2023. Also, light rail ridership hit an estimated 200,000 boardings, breaking previous records. Other services, including ferries and commuter trains, also experienced unusually high demand.

The region's light rail system carried around 200,000 passengers, according to laser counters above train doors. This figure suggests roughly 100,000 people travelled downtown and back. If confirmed, it would also exceed the earlier peak of 160,000 boardings set just a day before.

Washington State Ferries reported 46,321 passengers, a 25% jump compared to typical midweek numbers. Meanwhile, Kitsap Transit's walk-on ferries transported 2,474 passengers into Seattle and 1,856 on the return trips.

Sounder commuter rail also saw a sharp rise, with about 20,000 boardings—three times the usual daily total. The high transit usage also eased traffic on Interstate 5, as fewer drivers headed into downtown. Officials expect the final ridership count to climb further once all data is verified.

The record-breaking numbers highlight a significant shift in travel patterns for the day. With light rail, ferries, and commuter trains all seeing major increases, the region's transport network handled unprecedented demand. Final figures will be released once all counts are completed.