Host Kent Mayer said the Federal Way Link Extension opened two stations in Kent — Kent Des Moines and Star Lake — as part of an extension that also activated a stop at the Federal Way Transit Center. He said an inaugural ride for project staff, elected officials and other guests was held the week before and public celebrations followed.

Mayer credited local business and civic partners for staging community events around the openings. “Most of the festivities occurred at the Federal Way station because that is the end of the line, but we had ribbon cutting and lots of speeches and activities,” he said, also naming the Seattle Southside Chamber and the Kent Chamber as partners and noting a community meal at Star Lake called Project Feast.

He provided operational details for riders: “If you haven't taken it already, that train runs 21 hours a day, 7 days a week, and now you can get all the way from Federal Way in the South to Lynnwood in the North.” Mayer added that travel from Kent Des Moines Station to downtown Seattle is “about 45 minutes.”

The city encouraged residents to ride the new service and take part in station events. Mayer said the extension had been discussed and planned for decades and that the openings mark a milestone for regional transit connectivity.