What to expect when Link light rail service is disrupted
With Sound Transit's Link light rail service connecting to Snohomish County, you have more options to get from where you are to where you want to be. However, there may be times when Link service will be interrupted due to planned maintenance or in an emergency.
Link Shuttle service will replace the Link light rail service if interrupted. Community Transit and King County Metro will coordinate their buses to transport riders between Link stops that may be closed due to a service interruption.
Community Transit will provide Link Shuttles to impacted stations between Northgate and Lynnwood City Center.
Link planned service disruption June 21
The next planned service disruption for Link light rail service begins June 21 and ends June 23 affecting the Lynnwood Transit Center.
What is a Link Shuttle?
Link Shuttles are a transportation solution that uses buses to replace the unavailable Link light rail service temporarily. Shuttles bypass sections of rail transit lines temporarily out of service due to maintenance, construction, or emergencies.
Suppose a service disruption affects any part of the Link rail system. In that case, agency staff will be on hand to direct you to a Link Shuttle that will take you to the next available Link station to transfer service.
Community Transit and King County Metro will provide Link Shuttles when these disruptions occur for light rail service in Snohomish County.
Types of Link service disruptions
Planned Disruption
A planned service disruption usually means required maintenance or construction. A station, stations, or segments of rail may be affected. In these instances, transit agencies will receive advance notice to prepare. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to Sound Transit Link Rider Alerts. Community Transit will post alerts and share them on our social media channels if they impact stations between Northgate and Lynnwood.
Unplanned Disruption
An unplanned disruption occurs due to unforeseen technical difficulties with the light rail system or during emergencies, which can affect the rail system without notice. We will inform our riders of the disruption impacting stations between Northgate and Lynnwood as quickly as possible.
Be prepared
Sign up for alerts in case of a Link light rail service disruption.
How to navigate a service disruption
Learn where to go and what to do during a Link light rail service disruption.
Where to catch a Link Shuttle
Link Shuttle service will operate through the same transit centers that the light rail would normally service. A service disruption may affect one or all of these centers depending on the scope.
- Lynnwood City Center Station
- Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Station
- Shoreline North/185th Station
- Shoreline South/148th Station
- Northgate Station
In the event of service disruption, you can travel to one of these stations to transfer to a Link Shuttle bus that will replace light rail service while the disruption is ongoing.
Once you're at the transit center
Look for Temporary Link Shuttle stations at transit centers. Link Shuttle transfer stations are marked with special signage, and buses will display Link Shuttle messaging.
Look for special signage
Link Shuttle stations will be marked with special temporary signage like the one pictured here. Follow these visual guides to locate a Link Shuttle stop at the transit center.
Find Link Shuttle designated buses
Look for buses displaying Link Shuttle on their electronic signage to know you are boarding the correct bus. Depending on the size of the disruption, your shuttle may be a Community Transit or King County Metro bus.
Ask an ambassador
Still unsure about where to go or what to do? Ask one of our transit ambassadors, who will help answer any questions and guide riders. If you cannot locate an ambassador, transit center security officers may also be able to assist you.
Be prepared
If there is an interruption in Link service, allow extra travel time and use our rider tools.
Extra time
- Be sure to allow extra time than you normally would when taking the light rail, as shuttle arrival times and local traffic may affect the timing of your trip.
Use Plan My Trip
- Use our Plan My Trip tool to help you know what portion of your trip may require a Link Shuttle when a disruption is planned.
Sign up for alerts
- Sign up for Sound Transit alerts if you regularly ride the Link light rail to be notified in case of a disruption. Sound Transit alerts are comprehensive and will cover the entire Link 1 Line from Lynnwood to Angle Lake.
- Sign up for Community Transit Rider Alerts if a service disruption impacts your bus route. These alerts will be specific to routes that intersect light rail stations.
Be ready in case of a Link service disruption