Sound Transit issues 2017 sustainability report

Sound Transit helped save as much as 48 million gallons of gasoline last year as a result of passengers taking transit instead of driving automobiles, according to the agency's 2017 sustainability report.

Last year, more than 47 million people rode Sound Transit's trains and buses, up 10 percent over the prior year and 87 percent since 2011.

Among other accomplishments: Sound Transit earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status for its Angle Lake Link light-rail station, and diverted 43 percent of its office waste to recycling or compost.

"Sustainability is about making long-term investments and choices that keep the region's environment, communities and economy healthy," said Amy Shatzkin, Sound Transit's sustainability manager. "Our goal is to help people move freely and affordably, act as stewards of our natural environment and help businesses and residents save time and money."

In other steps toward sustainability, the agency is piloting a new "green infrastructure" standard on its Federal Way and Downtown Redmond Link light-rail extensions; and is implementing "strict emissions standards" for equipment on all construction projects.