Editing Sound Transit (section)

===Sound Transit Express===
{{main|Sound Transit Express}}

[[Sound Transit Express]] is a network of 28 limited-stop express bus routes providing regional service to cities in all three counties, primarily using a network of [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]]s (HOV lanes) on state-maintained freeways.<ref name="SafetyPlan"/> Some routes operate seven days a week, while others are limited to rush hours only.<ref name="ST-Guide"/><ref>{{cite web |date=July 2023 |title=Transit Development Plan 2023–2028 and 2022 Annual Report |page=10 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/sound-transit-tdp-2023-2028-and-2022-annual-report-20230703.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=July 21, 2023 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722053636/https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/sound-transit-tdp-2023-2028-and-2022-annual-report-20230703.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> These routes normally have wide distances between stops, which are primarily hubs and transfer points in cities and suburban areas where local routes operated by other agencies connect; many stops also have park and ride lots.<ref name="Budget-Link"/><ref>{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Sound Transit Service Standards and Performance Measures |pages=10–16 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018-service-standards-measures.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref> Sound Transit funded the construction of new transit hubs, park and ride lots, and direct access ramps to the HOV lanes as part of the rollout and expansion of express buses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=October 3, 2003 |title=Sound Transit may increase express buses' frequency, destinations |page=B2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> In 2024, the express buses carried 9.3{{nbsp}}million total passengers and had a weekday average of 28,700{{nbsp}}riders.<ref name="APTA-2024"/> The busiest route in 2023 was Route 550, which connects Seattle to Bellevue and carried 1.17{{nbsp}}million riders.<ref name="FareReport">{{cite web |date=August 2024 |title=Fare Revenue Report 2023 |pages=10–13, 32 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/fare-revenue-report-2023.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref>

The fleet of 319 buses<ref name="TDP2024"/> is owned by Sound Transit and includes double-decker buses with up to 81 seats, [[articulated bus]]es, high-floor [[coach (bus)|motorcoaches]], and standard buses with a minimum of 42 seats.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Bruce |date=March 26, 2019 |title=Ride tall: New double decker buses roll out on the Eastside |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/new-double-decker-buses-have-arrived-carry-more-people-better-views |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="SIP2018">{{cite web |date=December 2017 |title=2018 Service Implementation Plan |page=53 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2018-service-implementation-plan.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref> These buses include upholstered and cushioned seats that are able to recline, [[footstool|footrest]]s, overhead luggage racks, air conditioning, [[Light fixture|reading light]]s, and bicycle racks.<ref name="TNT-Express1999">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Eric |date=September 20, 1999 |title=Sound Transit's airport bus hits road |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-sound-transits-airport/113601841/ A1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-sound-transits-airport/113601845/ A10] |work=[[The News Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-sound-transits-airport/113601841/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=December 21, 2024}}</ref><ref name="PI-Buses1999">{{cite news |last=Foster |first=George |date=October 18, 1999 |title=The seats on the bus go shake, shake, shake... |page=B1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> Sound Transit Express buses use [[diesel fuel|diesel]] or [[compressed natural gas]] for fuel, along with several [[hybrid electric bus]]es.<ref name="SafetyPlan"/> They are operated and maintained under contracts with local transit authorities ([[Community Transit]], [[King County Metro]], and [[Pierce Transit]]) who also deploy [[Rail replacement bus service|shuttle buses]] during disruptions to rail services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindblom |first1=Mike |last2=Beekman |first2=Daniel |date=March 16, 2019 |title=Sound Transit CEO considers outside contractors to run Highway 520 buses |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-ceo-considers-outside-contractors-to-run-highway-520-buses/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=July 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Deshais |first=Nicholas |date=November 20, 2024 |title=What the Western WA windstorm means for buses, light rail and ferries |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/what-the-western-wa-windstorm-means-for-buses-light-rail-and-ferries/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref>