The population of the Puget Sound region is expected to grow by one million people between now and 2040. Sound Transit is looking ahead to be ready to move as many of those people as possible via rail. On its website, the agency is asking for public input to determine what kinds of service are needed next – and where.

Why so soon? There is a lot of construction on light rail facilities still underway. Yet, planning for a regional light rail system or even expanding an existing system, takes a lot of time and money.  And the first time around, it took a very long time. Decades.

The seeds for commuter light rail in this region were first scattered in February of 1968 through what was known as the ’Forward Thrust’ transit proposal. The first Forward Thrust bond measure, dedicated to financing a $1.15 billion Seattle rapid rail and bus transit system failed to receive the required 60 percent super-majority vote. Instead, the all-bus Metro Transit was formed in 1972.  Left aside, a regional light rail feasibility study was not completed until 1981. Studies continued through the 1980s on identifying routes and corridors and other factors. But it wasn’t until 1988 that King County voters approved an advisory measure calling for accelerated push to have rail service by the year 2000. But that was simply an advisory vote. Voters did not vote on actually funding construction until 1995, where the measure failed again with 46 percent yes and 53 percent no. Transit officials tried again the next year, where the measure was finally passed 56 yes to 43 voting no.

So what happened between all those years? Dozens and dozens of studies were conducted.  Meanwhile, bus-oriented travel became the mainstay for public transportation by default.

Sound Transit 3, which will include light rail service to downtown Redmond and fast buses on I-405, is another chance to make a difference for our region. Let’s all weigh in. Get involved. Pay attention. Soon.