Terry's Travels, Video,and Toronto Streetcars: Seattle Waterfront Streetcar Information

About the Waterfront Streetcar Line

Metro Route 99

Route 99 is a free bus route that connects the downtown Seattle waterfront with the International District, Pioneer Square, the downtown retail area, Pike Place Market and Belltown.
It was formerly called the Route 99 Waterfront Streetcar Line, and used buses that were "wrapped" to resemble the George Benson Waterfront Streetcars that previously operated along the waterfront.
Changes were made to Route 99 in February 2011 as part of the effort to keep people moving during the six-to-eight-year construction period for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project.
Northbound service on Route 99 shifted from Alaskan Way to First Avenue. Southbound service continues to operate on Alaskan Way from Broad Street to Yesler Way.
The new routing provides improved connections between the waterfront and First Avenue, and offers a handy circulation option for people traveling north on First Avenue.

About the Waterfront Streetcar Line

Metro's green and yellow waterfront streetcars used to run on a track along Alaskan Way and part of S. Main Street. The streetcars were powered by electricity. They were built in Australia for the Melborne and Metropolitan Tramways Board between 1925 and 1930. The cars are double end, double truck, and designed for two-person operation.

Manufacturer: Melborne shops or James Moore
Fleet Numbers: 272, 482, 512, 518, 605
Seats: 43 passengers
Length: 48 feet

Two of the 1928 Australian streetcars began service along Elliott Bay between Pier 70 and Main Street in 1982. Three more streetcars joined the fleet between 1990 and 1993 when Metro extended the line to the International District. The streetcars featured Tasmanian mahogany and white ash woodwork, capturing the elegance of travel in a bygone era.
The waterfront streetcar line is named after George Benson, former City of Seattle and Metro Council member. Known as the "father of the Waterfront Streetcar," Benson was the driving force behind development of the historic streetcar line.
In commemoration of Benson's leadership and vision, the streetcar line was officially named the George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line on June 1, 2002.

George Benson, the "father" of Metro's waterfront streetcar

Transportation has always been close to the heart of George Benson. As a Seattle City Councilmember from 1974 to 1993, and a member of the old Metro Council, Benson took the lead on ensuring countywide bus service, construction of the Downtown Seattle Bus Tunnel, and preservation of the Monorail. But of all his projects, Benson is most closely associated with Metro's Waterfront Streetcar. It began with his dream to reinstate the historic streetcar line.
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The Streetcar Stations

Since the George Benson Line Waterfront Streetcar vintage trolley service has been suspended, these stations are currently not in use.
Metro is providing replacement service with free service on the Route 99. Bus routing and stop locations do not exactly duplicate the Streetcar, however Route 99 serves the same neighborhoods - the Waterfront, Pioneer Square and Chinatown/International District.