Build the Damn Trains: Seven Policy Priorities for the Future of Light Rail

by | Mar 18, 2026 | Transportation Choices


Photo from the launch of the Build the Damn Trains campaign. 

Since late 2025, Transportation Choices Coalition has been leading the Build the Damn Trains coalition, a broad alliance of transit, labor, environmental, and housing advocates. In November, we launched publicly, rallying outside Union Station with partners from across the region around three commitments: deliver the full system voters approved without canceling projects, keep projects moving because delays only drive up costs, and honor ST3 as the regional investment that connects workers, families, and communities across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. People in these three counties have been diligently paying their taxes for the promise of light rail. They deserve to get what they voted for.

Where Things Stand

Sound Transit is facing increased costs to build, operate and fund its system over 25 years. Rising construction costs, inflation, and revised revenue projections have opened a gap of $34.5 billion in the ST3 program. In response, the agency launched what it calls the Enterprise Initiative, a process to examine how to restructure or scale back parts of the system to close that gap. Extensions to Everett, West Seattle, and Tacoma Dome have already slipped years from their original timelines, and with each delay, costs continue to rise. We’ve all seen Sound Transit’s engineers & planners cut billions from projects like West Seattle Link as they’ve moved them through the design process.

This week, the Sound Transit Board held a retreat where they were presented with three cost-cutting scenarios for the system’s future.

Why We’re Speaking Now

The Build the Damn Trains coalition came together because we believe the Board has an obligation to exhaust every available policy tool before any project is cut or deferred. That’s why our coalition worked together to send a letter to the Sound Transit Board outlining seven concrete policy steps we want to see pursued now:

  1. Maximize revenue first. Use existing taxing authority, grow ridership and fare revenue, and engage state and federal partners on new funding before any cuts.
  2. Standardize station design. Streamline and simplify station design to reduce costs without compromising rider experience.
  3. Pursue ambitious permitting reform. This year, the Legislature passed permitting reform that could save months on major projects. Implement it immediately and push for more.
  4. Remove parking structures. Costly, low-ridership garages should be replaced with pedestrian, bike, and first/last-mile investments that serve more people.
  5. Honor ST2 station access commitments. Pedestrian and bike improvements already promised to communities must be protected.
  6. Leverage public land and TOD. The Sound Transit Board should commit to using public land they control to build projects or stage construction, and expand Sound Transit’s ability to acquire land near stations and generate long-term revenue through transit-oriented development.
  7. Keep deferred projects moving. If any projects are delayed, planning and engineering work must continue so they are designed to be more affordable and don’t have to start from scratch when funding returns.

What Comes Next

Today’s board retreat is a starting point, not a conclusion. TCC and the Build the Damn Trains coalition will be closely analyzing the three scenarios the Board is considering and developing a shared coalition response to make sure the rider and community perspective is front and center as those deliberations unfold.

We also want to hear directly from people across the region about what’s at stake for their communities. That’s why we’re hosting a series of Transit Town Halls over the coming weeks:

Each event will include a presentation from Sound Transit on the Enterprise Initiative, followed by questions with local elected officials. Transit riders across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties deserve to be part of this conversation. We hope you’ll join us.

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