Sound Transit Deploys 11 Alstom Double-Deck Coaches on Seattle Sounder Service

United States commuter operator Sound Transit has begun revenue service with 11 new double-deck coaches supplied by Alstom on its Sounder commuter rail network in the Seattle area.

The deployment adds three cab cars and eight coaches to Sound Transit's Sounder fleet, expanding capacity on suburban routes serving the greater Seattle metropolitan region. The rollout follows the completion of testing and crew familiarization for the new rolling stock.

Alstom manufactured the 11-car batch, which features double-deck configuration designed for high-capacity commuter operations. The coaches incorporate accessibility features and modern passenger amenities suitable for suburban service patterns. Sound Transit operates Sounder services connecting Seattle with Tacoma, Everett and intermediate stations across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

The entry into service comes as Sound Transit continues to expand rail capacity in the Puget Sound region. The operator runs Sounder commuter rail alongside Link light rail services, with both networks serving a combined ridership that has grown following post-pandemic recovery. The new coaches will operate on existing Sounder routes during peak and off-peak hours, supplementing the current fleet on BNSF Railway-owned tracks under access agreements that govern service frequency and scheduling.