Tacoma Celebrates the Opening of the Hilltop Streetcar Extension

The mood was jubilant during the ribbon cutting, but 12-minute peak frequencies fall short of promises.

On Saturday, Tacoma leaders cut the ribbon on the Hilltop extension of Tacoma’s T-Line streetcar, inaugurating service on the long-anticipated and repeatedly delayed project. The 2.4-mile extension will more than double the length of the T Line and allow riders to reach six new stations: S 4th, Stadium District, Tacoma General, 6th Avenue, Hilltop District, and St. Joseph Station.

At the 10am opening ceremony in parking lot of the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (TUPAC), elected officials and community leaders delivered speeches and dancers from TUPAC and NW Sinfonietta performed.

The T-Line following the Hilltop extension and its six new stations. Another change is the old Theater District Station has also been moved one block north and renamed Old City Hall. (Sound Transit) / Sound Transit has renamed Commerce Street Station as Theater District Station. The old Theater District Station was moved a block north and named Old City Hall Station. (Kevin Le) / Riders standing at the Hilltop Station with its geometric art and colorful images of Tacoma people. (Kevin Le) / During the opening ceremony, each streetcar had a tour guide sharing facts about locations and the T Line itself. (Kevin Le) / Sound Transit staff with a stack of free orca cards and pamphlets about how to use them. (Kevin Le) / Sound Transit staff waiting to board the next streetcar. (Kevin Le) / One of a number of photo opportunities placed near the stations for the opening. (Kevin Le) / The Tacoma Community College T Line Extension would add six more stations as shown. (Sound Transit)