Saturday, the First Hill Streetcar will get its lion dance. Rushed to the starting line after showing up more than a year late, the 2.5-mile line connecting Pioneer Square, the International District, First Hill, and Capitol Hill began its service in January with free rides and zero ribbon cutting.
That will change Saturday when the $133 million Sound Transit-financed, SDOT-created, and Metro-operated finally gets a party. It has been nearly four years since construction for the line began on Broadway.
Below is a look at what we found at the First Hill Streetcar’s ten stops during a day riding this week. This is what we saw but we’ll depend on you to tell us anything we should explore on our next ride. Is this your stop?
After one final weekend and a Monday Presidents Day holiday without charging, the system’s honor system kicks in for the first time Tuesday when riders will need to buy tickets or tap their ORCA cards before boarding. Paid service will bring the true test of the line’s true utility and whether it can overcome the handicap of sharing the street with vehicular traffic. Perhaps these ten stations will be draw enough to make it work.
1) Occidental and Jackson
2) 5th and Jackson
3) 7th and Jackson
4) 12th and Jackson
5) 14th and Washington
6) Yesler and Broadway
7) Broadway and Terrace
8) Broadway and Marion
9) Broadway and Pine
10) Broadway and Denny
