South Lake Union Streetcar's days may be numbered

Councilmember Rob Saka from Seattle has voiced serious concerns about the future of the South Lake Union Streetcar, emphasizing that its operational costs are not justified by low ridership numbers. He is pushing for amendments in the 2025-26 budget that could potentially terminate the service, redirecting funds to enhance more impactful transit options in the area. Saka believes residents deserve better value from their transit investments and that there are more effective ways to allocate these funds. His proposals focus on ensuring that transit dollars are spent wisely on services that the community will actually use. Additionally, Saka underscored the importance of transit security, indicating that improving safety is essential for boosting ridership levels.

The council is expected to discuss these proposals further, with the final budget vote taking place on November 21, 2024. If approved, a timeline for ending the streetcar service will be established. The streetcar, which opened in 2007, has not met its initial goals of enhancing accessibility and attracting visitors to South Lake Union.