The T Line Is No Longer a Curiosity — It’s a Commuter Artery
When Sound Transit opened the Hilltop extension on September 16, 2023, it doubled the T Line’s reach overnight. The 2.4-mile addition stretched light rail from downtown Tacoma into the Stadium business district and up into the Hilltop neighborhood, adding seven new stations to what had been a modest 1.6-mile starter line running from the Tacoma Dome to the Theater District.
The ridership numbers tell the story. Average daily boardings climbed from roughly 1,500 pre-extension to over 4,079 by mid-2025 — a 170% increase in less than two years. The T Line carried 986,897 total passengers in 2025, according to Sound Transit’s ridership tracker, with the system operating at 99.5% of scheduled trips.
I ride this line. I watch the cars fill up at the Stadium District station at 7:45 a.m. and empty out near Tacoma General at shift change. This isn’t a novelty — it’s infrastructure that people depend on.
The Current Station Map: 12 Stops Across 4 Miles
The T Line now runs 12 stations along its 4-mile corridor, from Tacoma Dome Station in the south to the Hilltop District station at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South 19th Street in the north. Key stops include Old City Hall (Commerce Street), Union Station, South 25th Street, and the Stadium District — each one anchoring a distinct neighborhood commercial node.
Trains run Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 7:20 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The service is fare-free, which removes one of the biggest friction points for transit adoption.
The TCC Extension: Six More Stations, 8.4 Total Miles
The next phase is the Tacoma Community College (TCC) T Line Extension, which will add six new stations and extend the line from its current Hilltop terminus south and west to TCC. When complete, the T Line will stretch 8.4 miles with 18 stations — a legitimate urban transit network, not a demonstration project.
Sound Transit’s current delivery target is 2039, though the ST Board is evaluating different approaches to updating the ST3 System Plan in summer 2026, which could affect sequencing and timelines. The extension will connect residential neighborhoods in South Tacoma and the west side to the existing downtown and Hilltop corridor, opening new development potential along the route.
The Tacoma Dome Link: Regional Connection Coming 2035
The bigger play is the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, which will connect the T Line to the regional Link light rail system running south from Seattle and through Federal Way. The current timeline has this opening in 2035, which would make Tacoma a one-seat ride from SeaTac Airport and downtown Seattle.
For operators and developers watching this market, that 2035 date matters. It’s when Tacoma stops being “south of Seattle” and starts being “on the Link.” The property value implications along the corridor are significant — and they’re already being priced in by institutional buyers along Pacific Avenue and in the Stadium District.
What the Corridor Means for Development
Every T Line station is a potential transit-oriented development node. The City of Tacoma’s MFTE program already incentivizes multifamily construction in these zones, and the combination of fare-free light rail plus tax exemption is a powerful draw for housing developers.
The Hilltop extension has already catalyzed visible change. The corridor along Martin Luther King Jr. Way has seen new restaurant openings, mixed-use projects, and a noticeable uptick in foot traffic. The Stadium District, always a strong residential neighborhood, now has the transit access to justify denser commercial uses.
This is the operating thesis for Tacoma’s next decade: build transit, zone for density, attract capital. The T Line is the physical manifestation of that thesis, and it’s working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people ride the Tacoma T Line?
The T Line carried 986,897 total passengers in 2025, with average daily boardings exceeding 4,079. Ridership has grown approximately 170% since the Hilltop extension opened in September 2023, according to Sound Transit’s performance tracker.
Is the Tacoma T Line free to ride?
Yes. The T Line is currently fare-free for all riders. Trains run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends.
When will the TCC extension open?
Sound Transit’s current delivery target for the TCC T Line Extension is 2039. The extension will add six new stations including a stop at Tacoma Community College, bringing the total system to 8.4 miles and 18 stations.
When will Tacoma connect to the Seattle Link light rail?
The Tacoma Dome Link Extension is targeted for 2035. This will connect the T Line to the regional system, enabling direct light rail travel from Tacoma to SeaTac Airport and downtown Seattle.
What stations does the T Line currently serve?
The T Line serves 12 stations along a 4-mile corridor from Tacoma Dome Station to the Hilltop District, including stops at Union Station, Old City Hall, South 25th Street, and the Stadium District. The full station list is available on Sound Transit’s website.