Here’s why there have been fewer Sounder trains between Pierce County and Seattle lately
Fewer Sounder trains to and from Tacoma are running this week due to a maintenance problem, Sound Transit says.
The S Line that runs between Seattle and Lakewood via Tacoma is down by four daily trains.
The problem began last week after Amtrak personnel discovered that inspections of train cars had not been performed according to schedule, Sound Transit said in an emailed statement to The News Tribune.
“That required a number of Sound Transit cars to be removed from service,” Sound Transit spokesperson John Gallagher said.
Sounder trains are maintained and operated by Amtrak. Gallagher said Amtrak has been working rapidly to perform maintenance and inspections and return to the cars to the fleet.
Total cancellation
Nearly all train service was canceled on Feb. 13. That was followed by a limited operating schedule and shorter trains.
Amtrak was eventually able to add 11 cars back into Sounder service which allowed the regional agency to operate full-length trains but still required the cancellation of four daily trains, Gallagher said.
“Those four trains will continue to be canceled until enough additional cars can be released to operate all service as planned,” he said.
Current cancellations
As of Wednesday on the S Line, morning trains 1504 and 1506 from Lakewood to Seattle are not operating. In the afternoon, trains 1515 and 1519 from Seattle to Lakewood are off the schedule.
“We hope to be able to restore full service within the next two weeks,” Gallagher said.
Sound Transit did not offer an explanation for the maintenance oversight.
