April 20, 2000

Sounder train to serve Sunday baseball fans

TACOMA -- South Sound Mariners fans are invited to leave the hassle of driving behind and ride the rails to selected Sunday afternoon Mariners games beginning April 23.

On that day, Sound Transit's new Sounder train will depart from Tacoma's Amtrak station at 11:30 a.m. for a smooth ride to Seattle's King Street Station, just a quick walk from Safeco Field. Estimated travel time is less than one hour nonstop from Tacoma to Seattle.

The Mariners Moose will be on hand to meet and greet fans as they arrive at King Street Station. Riders will watch the Mariners play the Kansas City Royals at 1:35 p.m., then catch Sounder back to Tacoma at 5:30 p.m. In the case of an extra inning game, passengers who wish to remain until the game is over will receive free bus service back to Tacoma. Parking in Tacoma is available at the Tacoma Dome Station. Sound Transit is offering Sounder train rides to the May 7 (Anaheim Angles) and May 21 (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) Mariners games as well.

Round trip tickets are $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors and persons with disabilities. Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets for Sounder rides can be purchased the week prior to the games at Pierce Transit's Bus Shop locations. Ticket quantities are limited. Some tickets will be held for sale starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event at the Tacoma Dome station.

Hours for ticket sales are as follows:

• Tacoma Dome Station: 5 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Downtown Bus Shop: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Lakewood Bus Shop: 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

Sounder trains will begin providing regular rush hour commuter service between Tacoma and Seattle this fall. The two-level passenger cars feature comfortable seats, restrooms, cupholders, work tables, protected outlets for laptop computers and storage areas for bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers. Construction has already begun on some of the commuter rail stations, which will be located in Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. The service is planned to expand in 2001 south to Lakewood and north to Everett.

Sounder commuter rail is one part of Sound Move, the voter-approved plan to bring Link light-rail and ST Express bus service to King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. For more information on Sounder's special Mariners game service, call (800) 201-4900 or check online.