Link Service Disruptions | Community Transit

an aerial photo of a Link light rail train and Community Transit bus at Shoreline North Station

What to expect when Link light rail service is disrupted

With Sound Transit's Link light rail service connecting to Snohomish County, you have more options to get from where you are to where you want to be. However, there may be times when Link service will be interrupted due to planned maintenance or in an emergency.

Link Shuttle service will replace the Link light rail service if interrupted. Community Transit and King County Metro will coordinate their buses to transport riders between Link stops that may be closed due to a service interruption.

Community Transit will provide Link Shuttles to impacted stations between Northgate and Lynnwood City Center.

Be prepared

Sound Transit Rider Alerts Community Transit Rider Alerts

What is a Link Shuttle?

Link Shuttles are a transportation solution that uses buses to replace the unavailable Link light rail service temporarily. Shuttles bypass sections of rail transit lines temporarily out of service due to maintenance, construction, or emergencies.

Suppose a service disruption affects any part of the Link rail system. In that case, agency staff will be on hand to direct you to a Link Shuttle that will take you to the next available Link station to transfer service.

Community Transit and King County Metro will provide Link Shuttles when these disruptions occur for light rail service in Snohomish County.

Types of Link service disruptions

Planned Disruption

A planned service disruption usually means required maintenance or construction. A station, stations, or segments of rail may be affected. In these instances, transit agencies will receive advance notice to prepare. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to Sound Transit Link Rider Alerts. Community Transit will post alerts and share them on our social media channels if they impact stations between Northgate and Lynnwood. Information about upcoming planned disruptions is also available on Sound Transit's web site.

Unplanned Disruption

An unplanned disruption occurs due to unforeseen technical difficulties with the light rail system or during emergencies, which can affect the rail system without notice. We will inform our riders of the disruption impacting stations between Northgate and Lynnwood as quickly as possible.

How to navigate a service disruption

Learn where to go and what to do during a Link light rail service disruption.

Where to catch a Link Shuttle

Link Shuttle service will operate through the same transit centers that the light rail normally serves. Depending on the scope, a service disruption may affect one or all of these centers. In the event of a disruption, a Link Shuttle bus will replace light rail service while the disruption is ongoing.

Sound Transit Link 1 Line north extension map

Lynnwood City Center Station
• Southbound use Bus Bay D3
• View Lynnwood City Center Link Shuttle Bay Map
Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Station
• Southbound use Bus Bay 6
• Northbound use Bus Bay 7
• View Mountlake Terrace Link Shuttle Bay Map
Shoreline North/185th Station
• Southbound use Bus Bay 3
• Northbound use Bus Bay 1
• View Shoreline North Link Shuttle Bay Map
Shoreline South/148th Station
• Southbound use Bus Bay 2
• Northbound use Bus Bay 3
• View Shoreline South Link Shuttle Bay Map
Northgate Station
• Southbound use Bus Bay 4
• Northbound use Bus Bay 2
• View Northgate Station Link Shuttle Bay Map

Once you're at the transit center

Look for Temporary Link Shuttle stations at transit centers. Link Shuttle transfer stations are marked with special signage, and buses will display Link Shuttle messaging.

Temporary Link Shuttle signage to direct riders

Look for special signage

Link Shuttle stations will be marked with special temporary signage like the one pictured here. Follow these visual guides to locate a Link Shuttle stop at the transit center.

Find Link Shuttle designated buses

Look for buses displaying Link Shuttle on their electronic signage to know you are boarding the correct bus. Depending on the size of the disruption, your shuttle may be a Community Transit or King County Metro bus.

a transit Service Ambassaor assisting a rider

Ask an ambassador

Still unsure about where to go or what to do? Ask one of our transit ambassadors, who will help answer any questions and guide riders. If you cannot locate an ambassador, transit center security officers may also be able to assist you.

Be prepared

If there is an interruption in Link service, allow extra travel time and use our rider tools.

Extra time

Be sure to allow extra time than you normally would when taking the light rail, as shuttle arrival times and local traffic may affect the timing of your trip.

Use Plan My Trip

Use our Plan My Trip tool to help you know what portion of your trip may require a Link Shuttle when a disruption is planned.

Sign up for alerts

Sign up for Sound Transit alerts if you regularly ride the Link light rail to be notified in case of a disruption. Sound Transit alerts are comprehensive and will cover the entire Link 1 Line from Lynnwood to Angle Lake. You can also check for upcoming planned Link service disruptions.
Sign up for Community Transit Rider Alerts if a service disruption impacts your bus route. These alerts will be specific to routes that intersect light rail stations.