Kent McDaniel, of Everett, explains how difficult it is for him to get from the loading platform on the west side of the tracks to the loading platform on the east side of the tracks. He has to go up an elevator on one side, cross over the pedestrian bridge, then down an elevator on the other side, and navigate the passenger walkways with other passengers both arriving and departing. He is grateful that Sounder recently added staff to help passengers with information about arriving trains.

Kent McDaniel, of Everett, explains how difficult it is for him to get from the loading platform on the west side of the tracks to the loading platform on the east side of the tracks. He has to go up an elevator on one side, cross over the pedestrian bridge, then down an elevator on the other side, and navigate the passenger walkways with other passengers both arriving and departing. He is grateful that Sounder recently added staff to help passengers with information about arriving trains.

Which track? Sounder passengers no longer have to guess

MUKILTEO — In April, Mukilteo finally got its long-planned second boarding platform for northbound and southbound Sounder trains.

But railroad freight traffic can cause last-minute switches between the two platforms passengers use to catch the trains.

Those changes sometimes made it impossible for Kent McDaniel, of Everett, to make his connection.

McDaniel, 39, said he has used a wheelchair since being diagnosed as a child with cerebral palsy. He said he regularly uses public transit, including buses, trains and ferries, to visit spots such as the Edmonds and Mukilteo waterfronts and to make trips to Whidbey Island.

His problems started after the second platform opened at the Mukilteo Sounder station on April 11.

McDaniel emailed Sound Transit earlier this month to alert them to the issue. “The last few times I’ve tried to catch the train towards home in Everett in the evenings, I’ve waited on the northbound tracks only to find that the Sounder commuter train is using the southbound track to go northbound toward Everett station,” he wrote.

McDaniel would wait in the station’s sky bridge, watching for northbound Sounder trains to round the corner near Lighthouse Park toward the station. He would then turn and race his motorized wheelchair toward the right or left to catch an elevator, wait for it to arrive, and hope its doors opened in time for him to race off to the boarding platform.

“It is extremely confusing and there hasn’t been anyone there to help me,” he told the transit agency.

The last-minute changes in where the trains would arrive caused him to miss about five trains on his trips home to Everett.

McDaniel sent his email to Sound Transit on June 4. Peter Rogoff, Sound Transit’s chief executive officer, wrote back, saying he would tell the staff to come up with an immediate solution, said Kimberly Reason, a spokeswoman for the transit agency.

Starting June 8, Sound Transit assigned a station agent to direct McDaniel and other passengers on which platform they needed to use.

Rogoff “was very receptive to the problem and extremely helpful,” McDaniel said.

The tracks are owned by BNSF Railway. Typically, northbound trains arrive on the new south platform, Reason said.

Because of heavy rail traffic, dispatchers may need to switch platforms minutes before the Sounder’s scheduled arrival to accommodate the railroad’s freight traffic. “This happens on the south line, too,” she said.

“People who are using wheelchairs or other assistive devices are a top priority for us,” Reason said. “All the more reason we wanted to resolve this very quick in Mr. McDaniel’s case.”

McDaniel said having the station agent help direct passengers to the right platform in Mukilteo has helped him catch his trains so far.

“Definitely kudos to Sound Transit on this,” he said. “This was not only to help me but someone else in the same situation.”

McDaniel has just one other suggestion: Install a machine on the new platform to read the electronic ORCA boarding pass. Currently, there isn’t one. Riders need to tap the ORCA card before crossing the pedestrian bridge.

Work is under way to get an additional electronic card reader installed at the station right away, Reason said.

McDaniel smiled with one final observation. “All they’ve got to do is work out the logistics a little bit and everything will be in good shape.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.