Plans for a commuter rail line between Seattle and the Tacoma Dome area date back to the late 1980s, using existing tracks owned by the BNSF Railway. In early 1995, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA; later Sound Transit) ran experimental commuter rail service to Tacoma from Seattle during weekday peak periods and on weekends for Seattle SuperSonics games at the Tacoma Dome. The RTA's regional transit plan was approved by voters in 1996 and included a permanent commuter rail service between Tacoma and Seattle, with funding for a new station in the Tacoma Dome area. Pierce Transit approved construction of a $36.7 million, 1,200-stall park and ride garage near the Tacoma Dome in 1994, in anticipation of future commuter rail service. Construction on the garage began in July 1996, and the transit center complex opened on October 25, 1997, replacing a smaller park and ride lot.