December 6 marks the latest milestone in the expansion of our region’s light rail system: Three new 1 Line stations will open to serve south King County.
New light rail stations mean new commute options for people traveling across the region into Seattle for work. According to our 2024 Seattle Commute Survey, over 2,500 people live near new light rail stations and commute to CTR-affected worksites in Seattle.
re you a south sound resident commuting to Seattle? We’ve compiled a list of station amenities, bus connections, and park-and-ride information to make it easy to route your new commute.
Kent Des Moines
Located blocks from Highline College, this station is built to serve the Des Moines and west Kent area. In addition to Highline College, the station serves numerous businesses along nearby Pacific Highway. Three new cross streets were built along with this station to ease the flow of traffic and provide safety for pedestrians.
- King County Metro routes: A Line, 156, 164, 166, 193
- Park-and-Ride Parking: 500 spaces, free
Star Lake
This station upgrades a previous freeway station serving express buses. The new station includes new parking and upgraded sidewalks along nearby streets.
- King County Metro routes: 183, 193
- ST Express route: 574
- Park-and-Ride Parking: 1,100 spaces, free
Federal Way Downtown
The new southern terminus of the 1 Line is located in the growing Federal Way downtown area. Surrounded by businesses, including The Commons at Federal Way. A new street grid for better traffic flow was constructed alongside this station. Additionally, a new bus loop provides easy transfer access just below the station. Future plans for the area include more housing units within walking distance of the station. This new station also includes additional parking.
- King County Metro routes: A Line, 181, 182, 183, 187, 193, 902, 903
- ST Express routes: 574, 577, 578, 586
- Pierce Transit routes: 402, 500, 502
- Park-and-Ride Parking: 1,192 spaces, free
Don’t forget to tap your ORCA card when you enter the station! The adult fare for the Link is $3 flat-fare no matter how far you ride, and the LIFT/senior fare is $1.
Don’t have an ORCA card? Here’s three ways to get one:
- Online at myorca.com and order the card to your home.
- In-person at ORCA vending machines at Link stations or at certain retailers in the Puget Sound area.
- From your workplace through the ORCA Business Programs.