Sound Transit: New fare compliance policy takes effect November 15

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

November 1, 2023

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 15, Sound Transit Fare Ambassadors will issue violations to passengers found to be riding repeatedly without proof of payment. Fare Ambassadors will continue to inform people about how to sign up for reduced fare programs and provide passenger service.

Sound Transit relies on fare revenue to operate its services. The Sound Transit Board approved the updated fare compliance policy last year. Under the updated policy, passengers without proof of payment will receive two warnings in a 12-month period. Warnings issued to passengers before Nov. 15 will be removed. All passengers will start with zero warnings.

On the third and fourth interactions without proof of payment, passengers will be issued violations that can be resolved with Sound Transit through non-monetary options such as an online class or engagement activity, or with a $50 fine for the third violation, and a $75 fine for the fourth. Information on how to resolve violations is at soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/how-to-pay/resolve-your-fare-violation.

Repeat non-payment, which is five or more instances of riding without proof of payment in a 12-month period, will result in a civil infraction, which may be referred to the district court.

https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/new-fare-compliance-policy-takes-effect-november-15

[jmowreader]

1. One thing I wish they would do...

...is install ORCA readers on the train platforms at the Tukwila International Boulevard and SeaTac/Airport stations. The way they've got it now, there are readers on the mezzanine where the card sales machines are...but you have to take a very, very long escalator ride up to the train platforms. So...if you forget to tap before you go up, you get two choices: go all the way back down to the mezzanine where the readers are, or ride without paying.

I mean, come on: they've got 'em at Westlake. If they want to get cheap about it just move a couple readers up to the platform from the lower mezzanine. They have plenty.