Apr. 7, 2008 at 2:16pm

Agents to assist Sounder commuters

Sounder commuters were greeted by Sound Transit's new station agents on train platforms this morning. The new staff members will be at each Sounder station to assist customers with buying tickets, directions, information about delays and emergencies, or help for disabled passengers. The station agents will also help manage stations by reporting maintenance issues and offering an additional security presence.

Station agents will be at every Sounder station each weekday morning and for special event trains. On weekday afternoons, station agents will be at the seven Sounder stations along the south corridor between Seattle and Tacoma.

As Sounder ridership continues to grow rapidly, new riders in particular can sometimes use a hand buying tickets and navigating the system for the first time.  Station agents will provide an added level of on-site customer service for Sounder riders.

The biggest ridership increase among Sound Transit's three modes was on Sounder commuter rail, with a 27.4 percent increase in 2007. More Sounder trains will be added in September 2008, and Sounder ridership is expected to continue to grow.

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