View source for T Line (Sound Transit)

{{Short description|Streetcar line in Tacoma, Washington}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width                       = 
| name                            = T&nbsp;Line
| other_name                      = Tacoma Link<br />Orange Line
| color                           = {{rcr|Sound Transit|T Line}}
| logo                            = Line T (Sound Transit) icon.svg
| logo_width                      = 35px
| logo_alt                        = Logo for Link light rail, showing a stylized "T" with an "S" embossed over it with negative space.
| image                           = Skoda 10T car 1003 of Tacoma Link on Pacific Ave (2008).jpg
| image_width                     = 300px
| image_alt                       = A short train traveling in the center of a street, passing several multi-story buildings.
| caption                         = A T&nbsp;Line streetcar on Pacific Avenue
| type                            = [[Light rail]]
| system                          = [[Link light rail]]
| status                          = Operational
| locale                          = [[Tacoma, Washington]]
| start                           = St. Joseph
| end                             = [[Tacoma Dome Station]] (inbound)
| stations                        = 12
| daily_ridership                 = {{formatnum: {{#expr:(2598+3521+3576+3039+4033+3579+3209+3065+4235+4621+4307+3632)/12 round 0}}}} (2024, weekdays)<ref name="Ridership">{{cite web |title=System performance tracker: T Line Ridership |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/system-performance-tracker/ridership |publisher=[[Sound Transit]] |access-date=March 4, 2025}}</ref>
| ridership2                      = 919,603 (2024)<ref name="Ridership"/>
| open                            = {{start date|2003|08|22}}
| owner                           = [[Sound Transit]]
| operator                        = Sound Transit
| character                       = [[Street running|At-grade]], mixed between [[street running]] and exclusive lane
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = {{plainlist|
* 3 [[Škoda 10 T]] vehicles
* 5 [[Brookville Liberty]] vehicles
}}
| linelength_mi                   = 4.0
| tracklength_mi                  = 
| tracks                          = 1–2
| gauge                           = {{Track gauge|USSG|allk=on}}
| routenumber                     = 
| linenumber                      = 
| electrification                 = {{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
| speed_mph                       = 25
| website                         = {{URL|soundtransit.org}}
| map                             = {{switcher
|{{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q1999971|single_line=y|stations=y|stations_qid=Q1999971|frame-width=300|frame-height=300}}|Show interactive map
|{{Tacoma Link RDT}}|Show diagram map
}}
}}

The '''T&nbsp;Line''', formerly known as '''Tacoma Link''', is a [[light rail]] line in [[Tacoma, Washington]], part of the [[Link light rail]] system operated by [[Sound Transit]]. It travels {{convert|4.0|mi|km}} and serves 12 stations between [[Tacoma Dome Station]], [[Downtown Tacoma]], and [[Hilltop, Tacoma, Washington|Hilltop]]. The line carried 919,603 total passengers in 2024, with a weekday average of over 3,600 boardings. Tacoma Link runs for nine to 18 hours per day, using [[streetcar]]s at frequencies of 12 to 20 minutes.

Tacoma Link was approved in a regional transit [[referendum|ballot measure]] passed in 1996 and began construction in 2000. It was the first modern light rail system to be constructed in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]] and succeeded a former [[Streetcars in Tacoma, Washington|streetcar system]] that ceased operations in 1938. Service on Tacoma Link began on August 22, 2003, at five stations, replacing a downtown shuttle bus. A sixth station, [[Commerce Street/South 11th Street station|Commerce Street/South 11th Street]], was opened in 2011. It was designated as the Orange Line in 2019 and renamed to the T&nbsp;Line in 2020.

Sound Transit extended the T&nbsp;Line by {{convert|2.4|mi|km}} to the [[Stadium District, Tacoma, Washington|Stadium District]] and the Hilltop area west of Downtown Tacoma on September 16, 2023. A longer western extension to the [[Tacoma Community College]] campus via South 19th Street is planned to open by 2041.

==History==

===Background and proposals===
{{See also|Streetcars in Tacoma, Washington}}
[[File:Pacific Ave from about 12th St, Tacoma, Washington, ca 1919 (BAR 139).jpeg|thumb|left|Photograph of streetcars on Pacific Avenue in Downtown Tacoma, {{circa}} 1919|alt=A black-and-white photograph of old-style streetcars traveling in the center of a street lined with multi-story buildings. People can be seen boarding the streetcars.]]

Public transit service in Tacoma began with the opening of the city's first [[Horsecar|horse-drawn streetcar]] line on May 30, 1888, running on Pacific Avenue between Downtown and [[Old Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington|Old Town]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilma |first=David |date=January 18, 2003 |title=Tacoma Street Railway inaugurates service on May 30, 1888. |url=http://historylink.org/File/5065 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The city's [[Streetcars in Tacoma, Washington|streetcar system]] was expanded and electrified, growing to {{convert|125|mi|km}} by 1912 and serving outlying areas while feeding into the [[Puget Sound Electric Railway|Seattle–Tacoma Interurban]].<ref>{{cite report |date=June 2015 |title=Tacoma Link Expansion Environmental Evaluation: Historic and Archaeological Resources Technical Report |pages=6–7 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/TLE%20Historic%20and%20Cultural%20Resources%20Technical%20Report%20FINAL.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921004147/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/TLE%20Historic%20and%20Cultural%20Resources%20Technical%20Report%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The streetcar and cable car network was gradually replaced with motor buses, with the final streetcar leaving service on June 11, 1938.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kremer |first=Lisa |date=February 17, 2001 |title=Streetcar's era ended in 1938 |page=SL4 |work=[[The News Tribune]]}}</ref><ref name="TNT-Streetcar">{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=August 22, 2003 |title=Link's debut stirs memories of 1st streetcars |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Bus service in Tacoma was gradually consolidated under the Tacoma Transit Company, which was acquired by the city in 1961 and folded into [[Pierce Transit]] in 1980.<ref name="TNT-Streetcar"/>

A regional transit system, later named [[Sound Transit]], was formed in the early 1990s to address traffic congestion in the region and proposed several projects for the Tacoma area.<ref name="TNT-1992">{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Joseph |date=November 3, 1992 |title=Plan may add rail lines to please Pierce County |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Tacoma had been targeted for urban revitalization, particularly around the [[University of Washington Tacoma|University of Washington branch]] that opened in 1990.<ref name="TNT-1996M">{{cite news |last=Foster |first=Heath |date=May 19, 1996 |title=Backers say tiny light rail line would tote big benefits |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Card |first=Skip |date=June 23, 2002 |title=Tacoma Downtown turns around |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Among the proposed revitalization projects was the construction of a [[interchange station|multimodal station]] near the [[Tacoma Dome]] that would be connected to Downtown Tacoma by a "shuttle" [[light rail]] line, costing approximately $40 million to construct. The [[Tacoma Dome Station]] would also be served by [[commuter rail]] and a regional light rail line continuing north to [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]], [[Seattle–Tacoma International Airport]], and Seattle.<ref name="TNT-1992"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=September 10, 1994 |title=Costs put on options for regional system of light rail, buses |page=A9 |work=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=February 12, 1995 |title=On the right track? Questions, answers to the $6.7 billion proposal |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> A combined light rail line that served both Downtown Tacoma and the Tacoma–Seattle corridor was part of a $6.7 billion ballot measure that was rejected by voters in March 1995, but planning for the multimodal Tacoma Dome Station continued.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=David |date=January 11, 1996 |title=RTA ready to unveil new plan: rapid transit proposal's cost, scope downsized |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960111/2308417/rta-ready-to-unveil-new-plan----rapid-transit-proposals-cost-scope-downsized |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 1995 |title=The Regional Transit System Proposal |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/planning/1995_plan_subarea_proposals.pdf |pages=7–8 |publisher=Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930200958/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/planning/1995_plan_subarea_proposals.pdf |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

===Approval and planning===

A [[Sound Move|second transit plan]] was proposed without the Federal Way line, which was dropped in favor of express bus service, but retained the Downtown Tacoma connector.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 31, 1996 |title=Sound Move: Launching a Rapid Transit System for the Puget Sound Region |pages=15–17, 23 |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/news/reports/soundmove/199605_soundmovethetenyearregionaltransitsystemplan.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065157/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/news/reports/soundmove/199605_soundmovethetenyearregionaltransitsystemplan.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> It was passed by voters in November 1996, allocating $50 million for a {{convert|1.6|mi|km|adj=mid}} line in Tacoma that would be built as a "starter line" within the following six years.<ref name="TNT-1996M"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Flash |first=Cynthia |date=November 7, 1996 |title=Key RTA issues still need to be settled |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Tacoma Dome Station opened for buses in October 1997 and a shuttle bus connecting to Downtown Tacoma operated by Pierce Transit began service on February 2, 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abe |first=Debby |date=October 26, 1997 |title=Coffee, newspaper and bus to go: Tacoma dedicates its new transit center |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 16, 1998 |title=Service gives downtown commuters parking, ride |page=B2 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> The Downtown Connector was transferred to Sound Transit in 2000.<ref name="SIP2018">{{cite web |date=December 2017 |title=2018 Service Implementation Plan |pages=111–115 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2018-service-implementation-plan.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

Route planning for the Downtown Tacoma line, named "Tacoma Link", began in early 1998 with the intent to create a new transportation connection to downtown retail and cultural attractions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=March 30, 1998 |title=Light rail is coming into focus |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Joseph |date=October 19, 1998 |title=Tacoma: Future rail service on agenda |page=B2 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> A set of 20 potential route alignments were considered for connecting Tacoma Dome Station to the University of Washington campus, the South 13th Street area, and the Theater District.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=March 26, 1998 |title=RTA maps options in Tacoma |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The preliminary options were narrowed down to five candidates in the draft [[environmental impact statement]], which were grouped based on their use of either Commerce Street or Pacific Avenue to travel north–south through downtown.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=June 16, 1998 |title=Watch for trains on either Pacific or Commerce |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The line's cost rose by $12 million to $77 million due to the choice of [[low-floor]] streetcars that would be level with the platform.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=November 4, 1998 |title=Rail costs zoom over estimates |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

The Commerce Street alignment was favored by the Tacoma city government, but a final decision by the [[Tacoma City Council|city council]] and Sound Transit was delayed in favor of further studies.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=January 27, 1999 |title=Tacoma council decides to delay part of light-rail route decision |page=A16 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=February 12, 1999 |title=Tacoma Link light rail takes major step forward as Sound Transit Board identifies route and station locations |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/tacoma-link-light-rail-takes-major-step-forward-sound |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> The Pacific Avenue option was narrowly favored by downtown businesses due to its increased traffic, but Commerce Street was seen as a less controversial route that would allow for easier expansion to the [[Stadium District, Tacoma, Washington|Stadium District]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Foster |first=George |date=February 19, 1999 |title=Tacoma split over route of downtown rail |page=C1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=April 20, 1999 |title=Logic aside, our light rail should be treated as toy |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The city council approved the Commerce Street alignment in May 1999, and Sound Transit followed suit in July.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=May 26, 1999 |title=City wants light rail to run on Commerce |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 8, 1999 |title=Sound Transit Motion No. M99-28 |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/1999/motion20no20m99-28.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112832/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/1999/motion20no20m99-28.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Sound Transit also endorsed studies into making Tacoma Link a [[Free public transport|fare-free]] system due to projections that the costs of fare collection would exceed revenue on the line.<ref>{{cite news |last=Quigg |first=David |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Free rides probable on Tacoma light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Designs for the line's five stations were completed in early 2000, based on simple stations with unique design elements that reflect neighborhood identity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=February 3, 2000 |title=Sound Transit stations will reflect their surrounding neighborhoods |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

===Construction and disputes===
[[File:Tacoma Link with Click! cable television advertising.jpg|thumb|right|A T&nbsp;Line streetcar traveling southbound from Tollefson Plaza to Pacific Avenue|alt=A purple streetcar travels down a set of tracks that cut through a park-like setting with grass and trees. A cable-stayed bridge can be seen in the background.]]

Construction of the light rail line near the Tacoma Dome began in August 2000, resulting in a reduction in parking that drew complaints from business owners.<ref>{{cite news |last=Szymanski |first=Jim |date=September 25, 2000 |title=Construction pinches Freighthouse |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> A formal [[groundbreaking]] was held on October 18, 2000, shortly after the commencement of [[Sounder commuter rail]] service to Tacoma Dome Station.<ref>{{cite press release |date=October 6, 2000 |title=Opening of expanded Tacoma Dome Station, start of Tacoma Link light rail construction to be celebrated |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/opening-expanded-tacoma-dome-station-start-tacoma-link |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Work on the downtown section was delayed into the following year due to a contract dispute and design changes to avoid buried [[telecommunications]] systems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eckart |first=Kim |date=January 27, 2000 |title=Sound Transit to adjust light-rail line to avoid buried phone equipment |page=B4 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Modeen |first=Martha |date=December 10, 2000 |title=Final light-rail decisions due |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> During [[bidding]] for the $25 million construction contract, a low bid was rejected due to not meeting Sound Transit's small business participation standards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Quigg |first=David |date=February 9, 2001 |title=Tacoma contract for light rail goes to Gary Merlino |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Gary Merlino Construction was awarded the contract in February 2001 and began in July;<ref>{{cite press release |date=July 9, 2001 |title=Construction to begin along the Tacoma Link light rail line |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/construction-to-begin-along-tacoma-link-light-rail-line |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> construction on the line's operations and  maintenance facility in the Dome District had already begun a month earlier under a separate subcontractor.<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 22, 2001 |title=Link light rail construction begins in Tacoma |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/link-light-rail-construction-begins-tacoma |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

The transition between Pacific Avenue and Commerce Street near the future [[Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center]] was to be via a public [[plaza]], which began construction in June 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last=Modeen |first=Martha |date=June 18, 2001 |title=Construction to begin on Link light-rail plaza project |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Modeen |first=Martha |date=July 16, 2001 |title=Tacoma project's costs are soaring |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The first rails were laid in November 2001, with a formal ceremony the following month to mark the start of work on the entire [[Link light rail]] network.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=November 26, 2001 |title=Tacoma on track to get lighter version of light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=December 12, 2001 |title=Officials hail start of Link in Tacoma |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Sound Transit agreed to handle operations of the light rail trains on an interim basis for an indefinite period of time, opting not to contract with Pierce Transit or the city government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Quigg |first=David |date=December 14, 2001 |title=Sound Transit to run city line |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Major construction along Pacific Avenue began in February 2002, causing periodic closures that affected buses and businesses who requested the use of mitigation funds to make up for lost revenues.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagey |first=Jason |date=February 7, 2002 |title=Along Link route, merchants feeling pinch |page=A10 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=April 13, 2002 |title=More detours downtown |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The three streetcars ordered by Sound Transit for Tacoma Link were manufactured in the [[Czech Republic]] by [[Škoda Transportation]] and delivered in September 2002, costing $3 million each.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barker |first=Jeffery M. |date=September 4, 2002 |title=Tacoma's light rail transit cars arrive |page=B1 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Tacoma-s-light-rail-transit-cars-arrive-1095216.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> The cars were put on public display in Tacoma and Seattle over the following months to promote light rail projects.<ref name="TNT-Viewing">{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=November 3, 2002 |title=Streetcars ready for viewing |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Quigg |first=David |date=January 23, 2003 |title=Tacoma Link streetcar takes Seattle road trip |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

As light rail construction prepared to reach Commerce Street, [[Qwest]] filed a lawsuit against Sound Transit to receive compensation for relocating its telecommunications lines away from the tracks;<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagey |first=Jason |date=February 7, 2002 |title=Legal fight threatens to slow light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> a [[United States District Court for the Western District of Washington|U.S. District Court]] judge ruled in favor of Sound Transit, due to the use of public [[Right-of-way (property access)|right of way]] by Qwest for their telecommunications lines.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=August 8, 2002 |title=Qwest, not Sound Transit, must pay to move wires |page=B2 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Another dispute, with [[BNSF Railway]] over a railroad crossing on Pacific Avenue that would intersect the light rail tracks, was settled in January 2003 with an agreement to suspend freight operations through the intersection.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quigg |first1=David |last2=Wickert |first2=David |date=January 31, 2003 |title=Big trains may yield to progress, light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=March 19, 2002 |title=Sound Transit faces safety issues with light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Commerce Street was re-opened for use by buses in February 2003 as light rail construction neared completion.<ref name="TNT-PT03">{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=February 15, 2003 |title=Big day for Commerce, Pierce Transit |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The final section of track was welded in place in early April, marking the ceremonial end of track construction, and the installation of overhead power systems began later in the month.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=April 8, 2003 |title=Rail line's final weld a big step |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Testing of the streetcars began on June 18, 2003, as the line was electrified for the first time 65 years after the discontinuation of the original streetcar network.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leventis |first=Angie |date=June 19, 2003 |title=Agency takes Link out for a spin |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The first accident for the new line occurred during testing on August 5, when a delivery truck driver scraped a streetcar while illegally parked on the tracks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=August 6, 2003 |title=Streetcar scraped up in 1st mishap |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

===Opening and later projects===

Tacoma Link opened for service on August 22, 2003, becoming the first modern light rail system in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]].<ref name="Times-Launch03">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=August 23, 2003 |title=Sound Transit starts small with Tacoma Link system |page=B1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030823/link23m/sound-transit-starts-small-with-tacoma-link-system |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="PI-03">{{cite news |last=Hadley |first=Jane |date=August 22, 2003 |title=Tacoma's light rail—1.6 historic miles |page=B1 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Tacoma-s-light-rail-1-6-historic-miles-1122471.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> 4,400 people rode the train on the opening day, which was marked by a [[ribbon-cutting]] event and a community festival at Tacoma Dome Station.<ref name="TNT-Debut">{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=August 23, 2003 |title=Tacoma Link makes its debut |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune |url=http://www.tribnet.com/news/local/story/3744667p-3771129c.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030901214617/http://www.tribnet.com/news/local/story/3744667p-3771129c.html |archive-date=September 1, 2003 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Weekday ridership on the line averaged 2,000 patrons during its opening month, matching original projections for regular ridership in 2010;<ref>{{cite press release |date=September 11, 2003 |title=Sound Transit's Tacoma Link off to flying start; ridership exceeds 2010 projections |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transits-tacoma-link-to-flying-start-ridership |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> the system reached 500,000 boardings in April 2004 and one million by December.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=April 28, 2004 |title=City's streetcar system hits 500,000-rider mark |page=B2 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Todd |date=December 8, 2004 |title=One Million Served: Tacoma Link light rail celebrates milestone ridership |url=http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/blog/one-million-served-tacoma-link-light-rail-celebrates-milestone-ridership/450126/ |work=[[Tacoma Daily Index]] |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> The project's total cost, $80.4 million, ran above the original estimates due to inflation and additional street improvements, including sidewalks, lighting, benches, and [[bicycle parking rack|bicycle racks]].<ref name="TNT-Bust">{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=August 17, 2003 |title=Future link: Tacoma or bust |page=A15 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

Prior to the start of light rail service, the [[Puyallup tribe|Puyallup Tribe of Indians]] proposed an extension of Tacoma Link to their [[Emerald Queen Casino|new casino-hotel complex]], approximately {{convert|1.25|mi|km}} southeast of Tacoma Dome Station near [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Rob |date=October 17, 2002 |title=City, tribe study light-rail deal |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> A study into the extension was commissioned in 2004 by the Puyallup Tribe, with Sound Transit finding that the project would cost and estimated $38 million to $72 million depending on which of the four potential routes were chosen.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hadley |first=Jane |date=March 24, 2004 |title=Light rail extension studied in Tacoma |page=B4 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Light-rail-extension-studied-in-Tacoma-1140565.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=March 19, 2004 |title=Four options for extending Tacoma's light-rail line |page=B1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The study also projected that ridership levels would require a new fleet of two-car trains and longer platforms for the rest of the line, leading to increased costs.<ref name="LRP2005">{{cite report |author=Parsons Brinckerhoff |author-link=Parsons Brinckerhoff |date=March 2005 |title=Sound Transit Long-Range Plan Update Issue Paper S.6: Potential Tacoma Link Extension – East |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/Tacoma/Tacoma_Link_Expansion/Tacoma_Link_Integration_With_Central_Link_Paper.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=May 4, 2016}}</ref> Two additional extensions to the west were also studied by Sound Transit for inclusion into a long-range plan, but were deferred due to their high costs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=March 25, 2005 |title=East could meet west on light rail |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The Tacoma city government also proposed a network of streetcars in 2007, looking to emulate the [[Portland Streetcar]] system rather than extending Tacoma Link.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hagey |first=Jason |date=June 13, 2007 |title=An idea with legs, and tracks |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

The city government also proposed the construction of an [[infill station]] between the [[Convention Center/South 15th Street station|Convention Center]] and [[Theater District/South 9th Street station|Theater District]] to serve downtown commuters. Sound Transit approved the proposal and opened [[Commerce Street/South 11th Street station]] on September 15, 2011.<ref name="ST-CSS">{{cite press release |date=September 14, 2011 |title=Tacoma Link Commerce Street Station opens tomorrow |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/tacoma-link-commerce-street-station-opens-tomorrow |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> It was constructed using funding from the city and tied into a new plaza built atop a nearby [[parking garage]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=September 7, 2011 |title=New Commerce Street link stations are close to completion |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Due to the addition of the new station, train frequencies were reduced from every 10 minutes during peak hours to every 12 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=September 9, 2011 |title=New Commerce Street Link Station will be open for passengers Sept. 15 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Tacoma Link was renamed to the Orange Line as part of a systemwide rebranding by Sound Transit in September 2019.<ref name="ST-Orange">{{cite news |last=Netzler |first=Kat |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Link light rail debuts line colors |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/link-light-rail-debuts-line-colors |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=October 10, 2019 |title=See ya, Tacoma Link. Sound Transit retitles streetcar line with new colorful name |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article235932472.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref> The name was later withdrawn due to issues with the [[Red Line (Sound Transit)|Red Line]] in Seattle; an updated designation, the T&nbsp;Line (colored orange), was introduced in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shaner |first=Zee |date=April 9, 2020 |title=New line names coming in 2021 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/new-line-names-coming-2021 |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=April 9, 2020}}</ref>

===Hilltop Extension===
[[File:Tacoma Link map with stations and extension.png|thumb|right|Map of the T&nbsp;Line and the Hilltop expansion (in blue)|alt=A map of Downtown Tacoma showing the L-shaped route of the current streetcar and the upside-down J-shaped route of the streetcar extension.]]

A {{convert|2.4|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} extension of the T&nbsp;Line from Downtown Tacoma to the [[Stadium District, Tacoma, Washington|Stadium District]] and [[Hilltop, Tacoma, Washington|Hilltop]] neighborhood opened on September 16, 2023.<ref name="Times-Hilltop23">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=September 16, 2023 |title=Sound Transit's Tacoma streetcar climbs the Hilltop starting this weekend |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transits-tacoma-streetcar-climbs-the-hilltop-starting-this-weekend/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref> It runs mostly in mixed traffic on Stadium Way, Division Avenue, and Martin Luther King Jr. Way; the project included the construction of six new stations and the relocation of the existing terminus at Theater District to [[Old City Hall station]].<ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Tacoma Link doubles in length Saturday. Sound Transit isn't delivering what they promised |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article279221189.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="TNT-Hilltop18">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=November 17, 2018 |title=Hilltop street car's 2.4 mile route extension breaks ground Monday |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/latest-news/article221816885.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> The extension serves [[Stadium High School]] and the adjacent [[Stadium Bowl]]; [[Tacoma General Hospital]]; and [[St. Joseph Medical Center (Tacoma, Washington)|St. Joseph Medical Center]].<ref name="TNT-Hilltop18"/>

The Hilltop Extension was approved by voters as part of the [[Sound Transit 2]] ballot measure in 2008 and was estimated to cost $217 million, primarily paid for by local funding and federal grants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nunnally |first=Derrick |date=October 26, 2015 |title=Tacoma Link expansion gets $15 million in federal money |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article41484573.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Sound Transit breaks ground on Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-breaks-ground-hilltop-tacoma-link-extension |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Construction began with a groundbreaking in November 2018 and track laying in June 2019 under the direction of [[Walsh Construction]].<ref name="TNT-Hilltop18"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=June 19, 2019 |title=They're laying track for Tacoma's streetcar extension. They're also digging up relics |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article231526993.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref> By March 2021, construction was 75 percent complete, including most trackwork and installation of catenary poles.<ref name="TNT-Hilltop75">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=March 24, 2021 |title=Sound Transit's Hilltop trolley extension 75% finished. So when can you hop a ride? |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article250121384.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=March 31, 2021}}</ref>

The T&nbsp;Line suspended operations and was replaced with shuttle buses for ten weeks beginning in August 2022 to connect the extension's tracks, electrical infrastructure, and other systems to the existing line.<ref>{{cite press release |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Tacoma Link closed August 1 to September 16 for construction |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/tacoma-link-closed-august-1-to-september-16-construction |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref> Unfortunately, a stray electric current was discovered, which meant that extra work was required to prevent corrosion.<ref name="TNT-Resume">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Tacoma street cars return to the rails Tuesday after 10-week absence |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article267134481.html |work=The News Tribune |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221011205934/https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article267134481.html |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moomey |first=Liz |date=September 30, 2022 |title=Another construction setback for Tacoma Link extension. When will it finish? |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article265929891.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref> Since the shutdown, the station at Theater District was permanently closed due to its proximity to the new station at Old City Hall.<ref name="TNT-Resume"/><ref name="ST-Hilltop15">{{cite web |date=November 2015 |title=Tacoma Link Expansion: Project Overview |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/TLinkEXP_Folio_112515.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604091731/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/TLinkEXP_Folio_112515.pdf |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2016 |publisher=Sound Transit}}</ref>

The extension was expected to open in early 2023, but was delayed to later in the year due to construction issues that were identified after track installation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moomey |first=Liz |date=December 9, 2022 |title=More trouble for Tacoma Link extension, Sound Transit CEO says. Completion date uncertain |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article269818127.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=December 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Hilltop Tacoma Link opening update |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/hilltop-tacoma-link-opening-update |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=February 20, 2022}}</ref> Sound Transit attributed some of the delay to incorrect city records on the location of utility lines as well as change orders for catenary pole installation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=April 22, 2023 |title=Contractor blames red tape for Tacoma light-rail project delay |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/contractor-blames-red-tape-for-tacoma-light-rail-project-delay/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 23, 2023}}</ref> Construction was completed in July 2023, and testing with "simulated service" began that same month with reduced frequency on the entire line.<ref name="TNT-TestTrolleys">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Yes, you are seeing regular trolleys on new Hilltop line. But don't try to catch a ride |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article277268408.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=July 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wanek-Libman |first=Mischa |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Sound Transit begins simulated service testing on Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/53066138/sound-transit-begins-simulated-service-testing-on-hilltop-tacoma-link-extension |work=Mass Transit magazine |accessdate=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909085321/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/53066138/sound-transit-begins-simulated-service-testing-on-hilltop-tacoma-link-extension|archive-date=September 9, 2023 |url-status=live |issn=2150-413X}}</ref> The extension cost $282&nbsp;million to construct and is projected to increase daily ridership to 2,000 to 4,000 by 2026 and over 10,800 by 2035.<ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Nunnally |first=Derrick |date=July 20, 2015 |title=Proposed Link stops open for review |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article27866641.html |access-date=December 2, 2018}}</ref> It has spurred [[transit-oriented development]] in Hilltop and the Stadium District, including several multi-family residential buildings that opened in the 2020s.<ref name="TNT-Concrete"/><ref>{{cite news |last=De La Rosa |first=Shawna |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Development has boomed around Tacoma's long-awaited light rail extension |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2023/09/15/tacoma-hilltop-link-extension-line-opens.html |work=[[Puget Sound Business Journal]] |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref>

==Route==
[[File:Tacoma Link with Pierce Transit on Commerce Street.jpg|thumb|left|The T&nbsp;Line shares its Commerce Street section with a [[Pierce Transit]] [[transit mall|bus mall]]|alt=A streetcar and several short buses seen sharing a four-lane street with overhead wires and streetlamps.]]

The T&nbsp;Line is {{convert|4|mi|km}} long and generally runs [[Street running|at-grade]] in mixed traffic with an exclusive lane for its [[single-track railway|single-track]] section. Outbound trains travel west from an operations and maintenance facility located on East 25th Street near McKinley Avenue to the line's terminus at [[Tacoma Dome Station]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Corvin |first=Aaron |date=August 4, 2002 |title=Light rail, heavy expectations: Supporters and critics say the light rail project is crucial to Sound Transit's credibility |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington}}</ref> The station has a single [[side platform]] for Link trains, located south of the 2,283-space [[parking garage]] and [[bus station|bus loop]] and north of the [[Sounder commuter rail]] and [[Amtrak]] station.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Tacoma Dome Station |publisher=Pierce Transit |url=http://www.piercetransit.org/tds2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103084158/http://www.piercetransit.org/tds2.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> The single-track railway continues west in the [[median strip|median]] of East 25th Street and crosses under [[Interstate 705]] before reaching [[South 25th Street station]] on the south curb of the street near A Street.<ref name="ST-M995">{{cite web |date=February 11, 1999 |title=Sound Transit Motion No. M99-5 |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/1999/motion20no20m99-5.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112228/http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/about/board/motions/1999/motion20no20m99-5.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref>

T&nbsp;Line trains then turn north onto Pacific Avenue and travel in the median for several blocks parallel to Interstate 705, splitting into two tracks after South 21st Street.<ref name="TNT-Bust"/><ref name="TrackMap">{{cite web |date=June 2012 |title=Tacoma Link light rail: Fact Sheet |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/Tacoma/Tacoma_Link_Expansion/FLY_TacLink.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> The dual-tracked railway reaches [[Union Station/South 19th Street station]], located adjacent to the historic [[Union Station (Tacoma, Washington)|Union Station]] (now a courthouse), the [[Washington State History Museum]], the [[Museum of Glass]], and the [[University of Washington, Tacoma]] campus.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larsen |first=Jeff |date=November 13, 2003 |title=Keep coming back: The city's on a roll |page=4 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> Near the [[Tacoma Art Museum]], the tracks leave Pacific Avenue and travel northwest onto Commerce Street above [[Tollefson Plaza]], crossing over the [[Prairie Line Trail]] and stopping at [[Convention Center/South 15th Street station|South 15th Street]] near the [[Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center]].<ref name="PI-03"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Callaghan |first=Peter |date=March 19, 2013 |title=Prairie Line will add welcome green to a gray cityscape |work=The News Tribune}}</ref>

On Commerce Street, Link trains share lanes with mixed traffic through a major [[transit mall|bus transfer area]] for [[Pierce Transit]].<ref name="TNT-PT03"/> Trains stop at [[Theater District station (Sound Transit)|Theater District]] at South 11th Street, located near Tacoma's city hall and the historic [[Pantages Theater (Tacoma, Washington)|Pantages]] and [[Rialto Theater (Tacoma, Washington)|Rialto]] theaters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Woolston |first=Deborah |date=July 4, 2002 |title=Museum of Glass: A bridge to Tacoma's cultural future |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2002/07-04/0081_cover_story__museum_of_glass__a_b.html |work=[[Kitsap Sun]] |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="TrackMap"/> The line stops near Tacoma's [[Old City Hall (Tacoma, Washington)|historic city hall building]] and at 4th Street on Stadium Way as it ascends towards the [[Stadium District, Tacoma, Washington|Stadium District]].<ref name="TNT-Concrete">{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=November 4, 2021 |title=The concrete is fresh, but opening date for Tacoma Link's extension isn't firm |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article255362576.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref> The tracks turn west onto North 1st Street near the eponymous [[Stadium High School]] and [[Stadium Bowl]] and stop in the neighborhood's commercial district before merging onto Division Avenue.<ref name="TNT-TestTrolleys"/> The T&nbsp;Line passes [[Wright Park (Tacoma, Washington)|Wright Park]] and turns south onto Martin Luther King Jr. Way with two stops in the [[Tacoma General Hospital]] complex.<ref name="Times-Aug23">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Tacoma streetcar extension to open in mid-September |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/tacoma-streetcar-extension-to-open-in-mid-september/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 31, 2023}}</ref> The line stops at South 11th Street in the [[Hilltop, Tacoma, Washington|Hilltop]] neighborhood and continues south to its inbound terminus near [[St. Joseph Medical Center (Tacoma, Washington)|St. Joseph Medical Center]].<ref name="TNT-Hilltop18"/><ref name="TNT-TestTrolleys"/>

===Stations===
{{Further|List of Link light rail stations}}

The six original stations on the T&nbsp;Line are built with {{convert|90|ft|m|adj=mid}} platforms that are long enough to accommodate one car at a time, but were designed to support further expansion for multi-car trains.<ref name="Central2005">{{cite report |author=Parsons Brinckerhoff |author-link=Parsons Brinckerhoff |date=March 2005 |title=Sound Transit Long Range Plan Update Issue Paper S.1: Tacoma Link Integration with Central Link |pages=5–7 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/Tacoma/Tacoma_Link_Expansion/Tacoma_Link_Integration_With_Central_Link_Paper.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Each station features shelters, seating, rider information, and [[public art]]work that reflects the history of the surrounding neighborhood.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 2015 |title=Tacoma Link Expansion: Project Overview |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/projects/link/Tacoma/Tacoma_Link_Expansion/20150709_TLinkEXP_Folio.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stephens |first=Terry |date=September 20, 2001 |title=Sound Transit seeks success in Tacoma |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/11125897.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> Each station on the Hilltop Extension has decorative canopies designed by Tacoma artist [[Kenji Hamai Stoll]].<ref name="TNT-Hilltop75"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
|+ Key
|-
| style="background-color:#cccccc" | † || Former station
|-
| style="background-color:#ffdead" | * || Future station
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Station<ref name="TrackMap"/>
! class=unsortable | Image
! Opened
! Weekday<br />boardings (2024)<ref name="Ridership"/>
! class=unsortable | Connections and notes<ref name="TrackMap"/>
|-
| [[Tacoma Dome Station]]
| [[File:Tacoma Link Skoda 10T car at Tacoma Dome station (2008).jpg|120px|center|alt=Link platform at Tacoma Dome Station]]
| {{dts|2003|08|22}}<ref name="HL-2003">{{cite web |last=Burrows |first=Alyssa |date=January 26, 2004 |title=Sound Transit's Tacoma Link light rail system begins operation on August 22, 2003. |url=http://www.historylink.org/File/5642 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Tacoma Dome T weekday}}
| Connections to [[Sounder commuter rail]] and [[Sound Transit Express]]
|-
| {{stn|South 25th Street}}
| [[File:South 25th Station platform.jpg|120px|center|alt=South 25th Street station platform]]
| {{dts|2003|08|22}}<ref name="HL-2003"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|S 25th weekday}}
|
|-
| {{stn|Union Station/South 19th Street}}
| [[File:Tacoma Link approaches Union Station, S 19th.jpg|120px|center|alt=Union Station]]
| {{dts|2003|08|22}}<ref name="HL-2003"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Union Station weekday}}
|
|-
| {{stn|Convention Center/South 15th Street}}
| [[File:Tacoma Convention Center and Link station (2008).jpg|120px|center|alt=Convention Center station]]
| {{dts|2003|08|22}}<ref name="HL-2003"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Convention Center weekday}}
|
|-
| {{stn|Theater District||Sound Transit}}
| [[File:Theater District station - Sept 16, 2023.jpg|120px|center|alt=Theater District station platform]]
| {{dts|2011|09|15}}<ref name="ST-CSS"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Theater District weekday}}
| Originally named Commerce Street/South 11th Street
|- style="background:#cccccc"
| {{stn|Theater District/South 9th Street}}&nbsp;†
| [[File:Tacoma Link at Theater District Station, Old City Hall.jpg|120px|center|alt=Theater District station and Old City Hall]]
| {{dts|2003|08|22}}<ref name="HL-2003"/>
| align="center" | {{sort dash}}
| Closed on August 1, 2022, and relocated to Old City Hall<ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen"/>
|-
| {{stn|Old City Hall}}
| [[File:Old City Hall station on opening day - Sept 16, 2023.jpg|120px|center|alt=Old City Hall station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep">{{cite press release |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension opens for passengers tomorrow |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/hilltop-tacoma-link-extension-opens-passengers-tomorrow |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Old City Hall weekday}}
| Relocated from Theater District/South 9th Street<ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen"/>
|-
| {{visible anchor|South 4th Street}}
| [[File:South 4th Station on Tacoma Link.jpg|120px|center|alt=South 4th Street station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|South 4th weekday}}
| 
|-
| {{visible anchor|Stadium District}}
| [[File:Stadium District station on opening day - Sept 16, 2023.jpg|120px|center|alt=Stadium District station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Stadium District weekday}}
| 
|-
| {{visible anchor|Tacoma General}}
| [[File:Tacoma General Station on Tacoma Link.jpg|120px|center|alt=Tacoma General station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Tacoma General weekday}}
| 
|-
| {{visible anchor|6th Avenue}}
| [[File:6th Avenue station on opening day - Sept 16, 2023.jpg|120px|center|alt=6th Avenue station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|6th Avenue weekday}}
| 
|-
| {{visible anchor|Hilltop District}}
| [[File:Hilltop District Station on Tacoma Link.jpg|120px|center|alt=Hilltop District station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|Hilltop District weekday}}
| 
|-
| {{visible anchor|St. Joseph}}
| [[File:St. Joseph station on opening day - Sept 16, 2023.jpg|120px|center|alt=St. Joseph station]]
| {{dts|2023|09|16}}<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/>
| align="center" | {{Sound Transit ridership|St. Joseph weekday}}
| 
|}

==Service==

T&nbsp;Line trains run 18&nbsp;hours per day on weekdays, from 4:30&nbsp;am to 10:30&nbsp;pm, 15&nbsp;hours per day on Saturdays, from 7:00&nbsp;am to 10:30&nbsp;pm, and 8&nbsp;hours per day on Sundays and holidays, from 9:40&nbsp;am to 6:30&nbsp;pm.<ref name="Schedule">{{cite web |date=September 16, 2023 |title=T Line schedule: Tacoma Dome—St. Joseph |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/schedule-t-line-extension.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=September 16, 2023}}</ref> Trains operate at a frequency of every 12 minutes during the day on weekdays and Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays, some holidays, and during early morning and evening service on weekdays.<ref name="ST-Standards"/><ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen"/> Operating hours are occasionally extended into the late evening for events at the [[Tacoma Dome]], with trains running more frequently.<ref name="SIP2018"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Ellouk |first=Bernard |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Sound Transit will make it easier to get to Garth Brooks concerts |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/sound-transit-will-make-it-easier-to-get-to-garth-brooks-concerts/487351282 |publisher=[[KING-TV|KING 5 News]] |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

The T&nbsp;Line takes approximately 23&nbsp;minutes to traverse its entire route from the Tacoma Dome Station to St. Joseph station.<ref name="Schedule"/> A maximum of two trains are able to operate on the original T&nbsp;Line section due to the single-track section between Union Station and [[Tacoma Dome Station]].<ref name="ST-Standards">{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Sound Transit Service Standards and Performance Measures, 2018 Edition |page=21 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2018%2520Edition%2520-%2520Service%2520Standards%2520and%2520Performance%2520Measures.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Prior to the opening of Commerce Street/South 11th Street station in 2011, trains ran at frequencies of 10 minutes during the day and 20 minutes during other hours.<ref name="SIP2018"/> A restoration of 10-minute frequencies was planned as part of the Hilltop Extension's opening in 2023, but was reduced to 12 minutes due to operational issues and a lack of break time for drivers.<ref name="TNT-HilltopOpen"/>

===Ridership===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible autocollapse floatright" style="border-spacing: 1px; text-align:center; font-size:95%;"
|+ {{nowrap|Annual ridership of the T Line}}
|-
! style="border-bottom:1px solid black" | Year || style="border-bottom:1px solid black"| Ridership || style="border-bottom:1px solid black;" | {{abbr|%±|Percent change}}
|- 
| '''2003''' || {{formatnum: 266600 }} ||style="text-align:center; padding-right:15px"| &mdash;
|- 
| '''2004''' || {{formatnum: 794582 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +198.0%
|- 
| '''2005''' || {{formatnum: 884895 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +11.4%
|- 
| '''2006''' || {{formatnum: 885397 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +0.1%
|- 
| '''2007''' || {{formatnum: 919013 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +3.8%
|- 
| '''2008''' || {{formatnum: 930632 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +1.3%
|- 
| '''2009''' || {{formatnum: 889320 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −4.4%
|- 
| '''2010''' || {{formatnum: 871793 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −2.0%
|- 
| '''2011''' || {{formatnum: 972429 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +11.5%
|- 
| '''2012''' || {{formatnum: 1024053 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +5.3%
|- 
| '''2013''' || {{formatnum: 1000316 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −2.3%
|- 
| '''2014''' || {{formatnum: 963694 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −3.7%
|- 
| '''2015''' || {{formatnum: 980705 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +1.8%
|- 
| '''2016''' || {{formatnum: 937885 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −3.6%
|- 
| '''2017''' || {{formatnum: 972405 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +3.7%
|- 
| '''2018''' || {{formatnum: 897642 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −7.7%
|- 
| '''2019''' || {{formatnum: 934724 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +4.1%
|- 
| '''2020''' || {{formatnum: 433247 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −53.6%
|- 
| '''2021''' || {{formatnum: 371938 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −14.2%
|- 
| '''2022''' || {{formatnum: 267510 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| −30.8%
|- 
| '''2023''' || {{formatnum: 284874 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +6.2%
|- 
| '''2024''' || {{formatnum: 919603 }} ||style="text-align:right; padding-right:15px"| +322.8%
|- class="sortbottom"
|colspan=3 style="border-top:1px solid black; font-size:85%; text-align:left" | Sources: Sound Transit,<ref name="Ridership"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Service planning and ridership documents |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/documents-reports/service-planning-ridership?filter=topic&564=565 |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> [[American Public Transportation Association|APTA]]<ref>{{cite web |date=August 3, 2004 |title=Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2003 |page=33 |url=http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2003_q4_ridership_APTA.pdf |publisher=[[American Public Transportation Association]] |access-date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>
|}

The T&nbsp;Line carried a total of 919,603 passengers in 2014, averaging 3,618 riders on weekdays.<ref name="Ridership"/> Ridership on the line fluctuates based on several factors, including special events scheduled at the Tacoma Dome or hosted in Downtown Tacoma, and class times at the University of Washington campus in Tacoma.<ref name="SIP2019">{{cite web |date=November 2018 |title=2019 Service Implementation Plan |pages=58, 213 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-sip-final_compressed.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref> T&nbsp;Line patronage peaked at 1.024 million annual riders in 2012, but has since declined due to the loss of several major downtown employers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynn |first=Adam |date=December 21, 2016 |title=Tacoma Link ridership heads downhill |page=A1 |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article122023504.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Total ridership from 2017 to 2018 declined by 7.6 percent year over year due to the closure of the Tacoma Dome for renovations, but rebounded in 2019 to a total of 934,724 passengers.<ref name="Ridership-2019">{{cite web |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Q4 2019 Service Delivery Quarterly Performance Report |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-q4-service-delivery-performance-report.pdf |publisher=[[Sound Transit]] |access-date=July 30, 2020}}</ref> Ridership fell to under a half-million total passengers in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="Ridership-2020">{{cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Q4 2020 Service Delivery Quarterly Performance Report |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-q4-service-delivery-performance-report.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>

===Fares===

Fares were originally not charged on the T&nbsp;Line, with operating costs covered by Sound Transit and $29,000 annually from the Tacoma Business Improvement Area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynn |first=Adam |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Tacoma Link rides to remain free indefinitely |page=A10 |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article74562737.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Sound Transit chose to launch the service without fares due to the cost of collection exceeding projected revenues.<ref name="TNT-Bust"/> A budget shortfall caused by the [[Great Recession in the United States|late 2000s recession]] caused Sound Transit to consider a $1 fare in 2010, but the decision was pushed to a later date.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kamb |first=Lewis |date=September 27, 2010 |title=Free Tacoma Link rides over? |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Todd |date=October 19, 2010 |title=Free Passage: Sound Transit holds off on charging for downtown Link light rail service |url=http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/blog/free-passage-sound-transit-holds-off-on-charging-for-downtown-link-light-rail-service/1859228/ |work=Tacoma Daily Index |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref>

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1 base fare in September 2013 that would take effect the following year. It would be increased to $1.50 in 2016 to cover the cost of fare enforcement and installation of [[ticket vending machine]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Rob |date=September 27, 2013 |title=Board OKs $1 adult Link fares next year |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> The proposed fare was unpopular with riders, business owners, and local boosters due to the potential impact on tourism, with a predicted 25 percent drop in ridership.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Rob |date=September 20, 2013 |title=Link riders blast plan to charge passengers |page=A3 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Rob |date=August 12, 2013 |title=Transit considering fares for Link riders |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref> Before the fare could take effect, the Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area agreed to fund the difference in revenue by paying $29,000 annually to Sound Transit for two years of free fares.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cafazzo |first=Debbie |date=May 19, 2014 |title=Downtown group offers to pay Link riders' way |page=A1 |work=The News Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=May 22, 2014 |title=Business Improvement Area to pay to delay Tacoma Link fares for two years |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/business-improvement-area-to-pay-to-delay-tacoma-link |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref>

The Tacoma Business Improvement Area agreed to renew its $29,000 annual subsidy in April 2016, covering the equivalent of a $2 fare until the opening of the Hilltop Extension.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynn |first=Adam |date=April 27, 2016 |title=Deal to keep Tacoma Link rides free for now nearing approval |page=A3 |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article74072197.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> A $2 adult fare and $1 reduced fare for low-income adults, senior citizens, and disabled adults was implemented and collected beginning with the opening of the Hilltop Extension in September 2023.<ref name="Hilltop-Sep"/> Fares for passengers under the age of 18 are waived as part of a statewide program.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sailor |first=Craig |date=August 21, 2023 |title=It's finally here: Sound Transit announces beginning of Hilltop trolley extension |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article277725188.html |work=The News Tribune |accessdate=August 24, 2023}}</ref>

==Rolling stock and equipment==
[[File:Brookville-built streetcar passing Childrens Hospital on ML King Way in Tacoma (2023).jpg|thumb|Car 2001 on the Hilltop Extension. Brookville-built streetcars now comprise the majority of the T Line's fleet.]]
[[File:Tacoma Link 1001 interior - lower section.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of a [[Škoda 10 T]] articulated streetcar run on the T&nbsp;Line|alt=The interior of a streetcar, showing two large windows, hand-holds, buttons, and a short stair leading to an upper section with seating facing forwards and backwards.]]

The T&nbsp;Line fleet consists of eight low-floor articulated [[streetcar]]s that are {{convert|66|ft|m|2}} long and {{convert|8|ft|m|2}} wide with two articulation joints, between which is a low-floor central section.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 2001 |title=Skoda breaks into the urban market |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/skoda-breaks-into-the-urban-market.html |work=[[Railway Gazette International]] |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="ST-Brookville2022">{{cite press release |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Final new light rail vehicle arrives for Hilltop Tacoma link |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/final-new-light-rail-vehicle-arrives-hilltop-tacoma-link |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=November 17, 2022}}</ref> The cars and platforms are built for level boarding, with a mechanical [[Bridge plate (mechanism)|wheelchair ramp]] deployed by operators upon request.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transit accessibility |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/transit-accessibility |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> All streetcars in the T&nbsp;Line fleet are stored and maintained at an operating base located east of Tacoma Dome Station and Freighthouse Square.<ref name="TNT-Viewing"/> The system has several operational differences from the [[1 Line (Sound Transit)|1&nbsp;Line]] fleet, including electrical systems and its minimum [[turning radius]], that makes the two lines incompatible with each other.<ref name="Central2005"/>

The first three streetcars are [[Škoda 10 T]]s, numbered 1001 to 1003,<ref name="SIP2019"/><ref name="ptj2023-4">{{cite magazine |last=McKinney |first=Kevin |title=Rush Hour [transit news section] |magazine=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |date=November 2023 |volume=47 |issue=4 – Fourth quarter 2023|page=66 |publisher=White River Productions, Inc. |issn=0160-6913 }}</ref> that were manufactured in the [[Czech Republic]] by [[Škoda Transportation]]. They are identical to cars used by the [[Portland Streetcar]] system in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name="TNT-Viewing"/><ref name="HL-2003"/><ref>{{cite web |title=How it's built: Vehicles |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-and-Plans/Developing-Regional-Transit/How-its-built/Vehicles |publisher=Sound Transit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408233857/http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-and-Plans/Developing-Regional-Transit/How-its-built/Vehicles |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> Each Škoda streetcar has 30 seats and can carry an additional 85 passengers at [[crush load]].<ref name="ST-2002">{{cite press release |date=July 25, 2002 |title=The Tacoma Link Light Rail Vehicles are Coming! |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/tacoma-link-light-rail-vehicles-are-coming |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref> They each weigh {{convert|31|ST|kg LT|0}} and can reach a top speed of {{convert|25|mph}}.<ref name="Times-Launch03"/> They are unable to be coupled and draw their electrical power from [[Overhead line|overhead catenary]] that is energized at 750 [[volt]]s [[direct current]].<ref name="Central2005"/>

The second generation of T&nbsp;Line vehicles are five [[Brookville Liberty Modern Streetcar|Liberty NXT]] streetcars, numbered 2001 to 2005,<ref name="ptj2023-4"/> that were manufactured in the United States by the [[Brookville Equipment Corporation]]. The Brookville streetcars have the same general dimensions as the Škoda vehicles but seat 26 passengers and can carry up to 100 passengers at crush load.<ref name="Times-Aug23"/><ref name="ST-Brookville2022"/> The five streetcars were ordered in 2017 at a cost of $26.5&nbsp;million and delivered between March and November 2022.<ref name="ST-Brookville2022"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Metzger |first=Katie |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Fresh pics: New light rail vehicle arrives in Tacoma |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/fresh-pics-new-light-rail-vehicle-arrives-tacoma |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=March 30, 2022}}</ref> They entered service in July 2023.<ref name="ptj2023-4"/> The contract with Brookville also includes an option to order five additional cars.<ref>{{cite press release |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Sound Transit orders five additional light rail vehicles for Tacoma Link Extension to Stadium, Hilltop neighborhoods |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-orders-five-additional-light-rail-vehicles |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=December 7, 2017 |title=Sound Transit finalizes Brookville contract |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/sound-transit-finalizes-brookville-contract/ |work=[[Railway Age]] |access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

==Future expansion==

===Tacoma Community College Extension===

An extension beyond the Hilltop neighborhood to the [[Tacoma Community College]] campus in western Tacoma was funded by the [[Sound Transit 3]] ballot measure, approved by voters in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=November 14, 2016 |title=Where Sound Transit 3 projects could speed up or slow down |page=B1 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/where-sound-transit-3-projects-could-speed-up-or-slow-down/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 25, 2018}}</ref> It is scheduled to open in 2039 or 2041 depending on available funding and construction costs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Needles |first=Allison |date=August 9, 2021 |title=Sound Transit has $6.5 billion ST3 budget gap. What does that mean for Tacoma projects? |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article253314648.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> The {{convert|3.5|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} extension would use South 19th Street and stop at six stations, carrying approximately 18,000 daily riders and costing up to $478 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 8, 2017 |title=Tacoma preps for light rail expansion |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12105931.html |work=[[Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce]] |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> Train frequency would be increased to six minutes during peak periods and a section of the original line near Union Station would be [[Double-track railway|double-tracked]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Tacoma Link Extension to Tacoma Community College |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/LRT_TacomaLinkExtensiontoTCC.pdf |work=Sound Transit 3 Draft Plan |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=May 4, 2016}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://www.soundtransit.org/schedules/route/40_TLINK/at/1547947832142/direction/0/from/null Tacoma Link schedule]
* [https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/hilltop-tacoma-link-extension Tacoma Link Expansion: Hilltop Extension]

{{Puget Sound Transit}}
{{USLightRail}}

[[Category:2003 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Link light rail]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2003]]
[[Category:Transportation in Tacoma, Washington]]
[[Category:Free public transport]]
[[Category:750 V DC railway electrification]]