Welcome to the South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar, the Emerald City's newest way to get around downtown Seattle.
From the fast-growing South Lake Union neighborhood to Seattle's vibrant downtown core, the Streetcar will get you where you want to go. Eleven stops along the 2.6 mile line lead to great culinary experiences, unforgettable entertainment options, and retail offerings as well as Lake Union's new 12 acre water front park. The Streetcar will connect thousands of people to new homes and jobs in this vibrant urban neighborhood.
The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar conveniently connects to Seattle's other public transit systems including Metro buses; Sound Transit buses, trains and light rail; and the Monorail.
Bus service that makes convenient, useful connections at selected streetcar stops includes Route 8 (Seattle Center, Capitol Hill, Central District), Route 25 (Montlake, University District, Laurelhurst). See the streetcar system map for more details.
So hop on board, Seattle Streetcar is on line and rolling. Go on, get connected!
Streetcars are transit vehicles which run on rails yet easily share the road with other ground transportation options, such as bicycles, buses and cars, instead of requiring an isolated corridor of their own. This increases public transit capacity without impacting other options.
Streetcar transit is a transportation solution that makes sense for Seattle. The South Lake Union line will increase transportation options for people living and working in South Lake Union, Denny Triangle and downtown Seattle.
Streetcars easily share the road with other ground transportation options, such as bicycles, buses and cars, instead of requiring an isolated corridor of their own. This increases public transit capacity without impacting other options.
The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar will connect with Seattle's other public transit systems including Metro buses; Sound Transit buses, trains and light rail; the Monorail; and Washington State Ferries.
Streetcar systems are being re-introduced to urban centers throughout the country because they have been proven to revitalize neighborhoods and provide more transit options for city residents and workers. Additionally, streetcar systems help organize neighborhood development into transit friendly communities.
Mayor Nickels proposed the South Lake Union Streetcar in 2003, and the Seattle City Council approved the project in 2005. Just two years later, the South Lake Union Streetcar will begin operations.
The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar can be accessed at eleven stops between the corner of Fairview and Ward to the corner of Westlake and Olive. The Streetcar does not stop at each station automatically, though it will stop for passengers waiting at the stations. If you are on the car and want to stop, you must signal the operator by pushing the vertical or horizontal yellow strips inside the car prior to the station stop you are requesting.
Anyone who needs the convenience of public transportation for work or play can use the Seattle Streetcar.
The Seattle Streetcar runs daily at 15 minute intervals during the following service hours:
Monday-Thursday 6 AM – 9 PM
Friday & Saturday 6 AM – 11 PM
Sunday/Holidays 10 AM – 7 PM
For up-to-the-minute streetcar arrival times, check the electronic reader boards in the streetcar shelters or go to the NEXT BUS.
After boarding the car, please pay your fare by using the farebox machine located in the center of the car (coins, $1 bills and $5 bills are accepted). PugetPass and Metro passes, tickets and transfers are also accepted; you may be asked to display your pass to a Metro fare supervisor.
To call for your stop, signal the operator by pushing the vertical or horizontal yellow strips inside the car prior to the station stop you are requesting.
Bicycles are allowed in the center section of the streetcar vehicles Adult Fare: $2.25
Reduced Fare (65 and over, persons with disabilities & persons with Medicare cards): $.75
Youth (ages 6-17): $.75
Children 5 and under ride free!
ORCA cards and Metro transfers are accepted as proof of payment on the Seattle Streetcar. Individual ride tickets may also be purchased at the station platforms with debit or credit cards, or on board using cash.
Seattle Streetcars are designed to operate in traffic and share lanes with cars, trucks, and buses.
When driving, walking, or riding along streetcar routes, be cautious of approaching streetcar vehicles. Do not cross in front of the streetcars, instead cross behind.
When parking along the streetcar route, park fully within the solid white lines. Make sure all side mirrors are with in the white lines and check for approaching streetcars before opening your vehicle doors.
There are eleven stops along the 2.6 mile round-trip line. Each is conveniently located close to connections to transportation options that will connect you to destinations all across the city, county, state and beyond. Stops also have been selected to maximize availability of shops and restaurants as well as close to employment centers to make use of commute and business opportunities.
The Seattle Streetcar has been designed to maximize comfort and access for all travelers. The Streetcar runs at the street grade level so boarding is very easy for all riders. Wheelchair passengers can easily board without navigating steps.
The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar operates on a round trip route from the corner of Fairview and Ward in the South Lake Union neighborhood to the corner of Westlake and Olive near Westlake Transit Hub.
The Streetcar runs seven days a week at 15 minute intervals during the following hours:
Monday through Thursday: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
These hours of operation are coordinated with other modes of transportation, such as Metro and Sound Transit buses, as well as local and regional events.
Adult Fare: $2.25
Reduced Fare (65 and over, persons with disabilities & persons with Medicare cards): $.75
Youth (ages 6-17): $.75
Children 5 and under ride free!
ORCA cards and Metro transfers are accepted as proof of payment on the Seattle Streetcar. Individual ride tickets may also be purchased at the station platforms with debit or credit cards, or on board using cash.
The Seattle Streetcar's South Lake Union line has eleven stops conveniently located a short walk from other transportation hubs connecting the entire the region's transportation options, including: Metro buses and Sound Transit buses, trains and light rail; Ferry service; Taxi; Flexcar; Park and Ride; and Monorail.
Yes, PugetPass, Metro passes and all Metro transfers will be accepted. Please note that Sound Transit and Community Transit transfers are not accepted at this time.
This site is designed to provide members of the media with quick and
easy access to recent information about the Seattle Streetcar. Here you
will find news releases, fact sheets, background documents and
information about the Streetcar. If you need additional information,
please contact Josh Stepherson for the Seattle Department of
Transportation at (206) 684-3136.
Fact Sheet
As Seattle's first new rail line in more than 25 years, the 2.6 mile
(round trip) South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar will soon
connect Seattle's growing South Lake Union and Denny Triangle
neighborhoods and waterfront park to the vibrant downtown retail core.
Click here to read more
Backgrounder
In the late 1890s and early 1900s, streetcars boosted development in
Seattle business districts, providing direct rail connection to growing
neighborhoods including Fremont, University District, Madison Park, West
Seattle, Rainier Valley
and Greenlake.
Click here to read more
Testimonials
What business owners, city leaders and residents are saying...
Click
here to read more
Press Release
Mayor Launches First New Rail in Seattle in 30 Years, Seattle Streetcar
Opens Today
News Articles
Click here to read about the Streetcar in the News
Print Materials
Opening Day Brochure
Streetcar Poster
Print Your Own Streetcar Wrapping Paper
The City of Seattle and King County Metro operate the Seattle Streetcar without regard to race, color, and national origin. To request additional information about non-discrimination policies related to the Seattle Streetcar, or to obtain information about filing a discrimination complaint, please contact Ethan Melone, Seattle Department of Transportation, (206) 684-8066 or ethan.melone@seattle.gov
The streetcar is accessible and easy to board for all users. The streetcar features low floors and high platforms for a minimal gap between platform and streetcar, and also features wheelchair ramps that automatically deploy upon the press of a button from inside or outside of the car. The streetcar also features both audio and digital display stop announcements.