Tacoma Link In 2011: $1 fare proposed

Sound Transit CEO Joni Earl presented her budget to the Sound Transit Board earlier today.  In King County, thanks to a 25% dropoff in revenue, there will be significant delays to projects, including an indefinite deferral of all light rail construction south of S. 200th St.  Light rail from Tacoma to SeaTac seems to get further and further away with each passing year.

However, thankfully, Tacoma Link came through mostly unscathed.

Included in the detailed budget were some interesting tidbits:

• A proposed $1 fare for riding Tacoma Link starting in June 2011
• $62,000 for Ticket Vending Machines at each of the stations
• $971,000 for Alternatives Analysis for Tacoma Link extension (enabling federal funding)
• $371,000 for Digital sign and audio announcement system for Tacoma Link

Ticket Vending Machine in International District

The Sound Transit Board also approved the concept agreement with the City of Tacoma concerning the "Commerce Street Station" between 11th and 12th Streets.