SEATTLE TRANSIT

Seattle has a comprehensive bus system which includes several unusual modes. Most of the buses are diesel powered as is the norm in North America now but in addition there exists an extensive network of trolley buses. Also running under downtown is a bus tunnel which has rails builtin for a possible future rail subway. The buses that use this tunnel are multi-mode being powered by electricity from dual overhead wires when moving through the tunnel but being pushed by a diesel engine when traveling on the surface streets.
The city's streetcar line runs along the waterfront from near the train stations north several miles past all of the major Elliot Bay piers.
The most unusual piece though is the monorail from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. This train is in service from downtown up to the Seattle Center area where the fair was located. It is not just a tourist line though, it is used by many as a regular transit mode.


Monorail running south from Seattle Center

All of these pieces are parts of the Puget Sound region's comprehensive and expanding transit system which will soon include more light rail and a possible extension of the monorail.

The rail transit parts of this system don't contribute much to the mix right now. The monorail is fun to ride, the streetcars are just a vintage trolley ride and neither goes very far. We'll just have to wait and see what the future actually brings.