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A Citizen Oversight Panel (COP) has determined that 2003 was the Sound Transit’s best year since the agency began revenue service in 1999, according to the panel’s year-end 2003 report.

COP noted the agency’s accomplishments for the year, such as opening service on Tacoma Link light rail, securing a full funding grant agreement and breaking ground on Central Link, and finalizing agreements with Burlington Northern Santa Fe to extend Sounder service to Everett and Lakewood, Wash.

Sound Transit also met 26 of its 28 goals for 2003, such as reaching an agreement with the Port of Seattle to extend light-rail service to Sea-Tac International Airport in 2011, opening a Park-and-Ride lot, authorizing a Smart Card fare system and opening stations.

However, COP also noted some concerns, including cost increases for the Sounder commuter rail program and Sound Transit’s delay in selecting a preferred route for a North Link light-rail extension.