(Image: Sound Transit)
Sound Transit’s Fare Ambassadors are now checking for payment while you wait for the next train. The agency has rolled out platform fare checks at four downtown stations starting this morning. The plan is to spread the checks through the growing light rail system including Capitol Hill Station in coming months.
“With a little extra time and a lot more elbow room on platforms, Fare Ambassadors will be able to check more fares and provide better customer service,” the ST announcement reads.
Sound Transit says the new checks are part of efforts to make sure fares are paid — and educate riders.
They’re still working out the best way for the checks to take place on the plafform, Sound Transit says, and will be experimenting with different methods.
Meanwhile, fare inspections will continue onboard light rail trains.
The Fare Ambassadors are a new addition to the light rail system. They were first deployed in November as Sound Transit launched efforts to overhaul fare enforcement policies to address economic and racial equity — and the thousands of riders it says do not pay. The process established Sound Transit’s Fare Ambassador as a pilot program that replaced security guards with representatives to check with riders for proof of payment and to provide help and information about the transit service.
Riders who don’t pay will be allowed two warnings in a 12-month period. After that, the gloves come off.
“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,” Sound Transit warns.
“Repeat non-payment… will result in a civil infraction, which may be referred to the district court,” Sound Transit says.
The agency depends on fares for a big chunk — around 7% — of its operating budget. Unlike some major metro transit systems around the world, Sound Transit has designed its stations without payment gates or turnstiles.
The new fare effort comes as the system is about to expand with service connecting Lynnwood to the existing 1 Line at the end of August. More expansion is coming including the new line connecting Seattle to the Eastside across I-90. Costly construction snafus have delayed the opening of Judkins Park Station and the Eastside expansion line it is part of to 2025 — some eight years after the project broke ground.
Growing the routes is going to take much longer than originally planned as Sound Transit’s push for a key expansion to Ballard faced battles over alignment and timelines. Delays for the planned lines serving the city’s northwest and West Seattle have grown and will cost billions more than originally planned. Facing some $54 billion in expansion plans, Sound Transit is adding a Deputy CEO for Megaproject Delivery to help improve its results.
The plan for platform fare checks also comes amid increased concern about public safety on Sound Transit’s trains and at its stations following the deadly stabbing of Corey Bellett during an altercation on the Capitol HIll subway platform. Sound Transit said it would have more security personnel in place around the station following the stabbing. “To reassure riders about the safety of the system, they can expect to see an increased security presence in the coming days,” a statement from Sound Transit read. “We encourage anyone who feels unsafe or needs security support, we to text Sound Transit Security at 206-398-5268.”
Sound Transit says it is spending more than $40 million a year on security contracts and has 500 Transit Security officers in total across its system in addition to more than 65 King County Sheriff’s officers who serve as the agency’s transit police.
In addition to expected growth in ridership with the opening of the new lines and stations, Sound Transit is also preparing for Seattle’s part in hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup.
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So ridiculous… only hurts poor people
poor people can get FREE passes
yup..I get an annual pass.
Over the weekend they were on the platform. I overheard a passenger basically say oops I forgot to pay and no I don’t have my ID on me. The fare inspectors moved right along. So not totally sure what the point is. May as well just make it free
I’m not dumb but am unsure how to pay for the train. Do I tap my card before getting on the train or when I get off? I have plenty of money but often don’t pay because it’s confusing. Would be so much simpler if there were turnstiles.
The inconsistency with tapping depending on what mode of transit you take is the most annoying part. On Link Light Rail: Both. But most important to tap in before getting on the train, as that is what the fare police are checking for.
If you have an e-purse balance (vs. a monthly pass) on your ORCA it benefits you to tap out. You get charged for a full end-to-end ride when you only tap in. Tapping out allows you to be charged only for the specific leg you traveled. (Also: If you don’t tap out, it might mess up the free transfers – anyone know for sure?)
I’m just picturing the ridiculous infomercials where someone is bumbling through a simple task…
The solution to you not being able to figure it out is to retrofit the whole system with an antiquated and unnecessary turnstile? Wouldn’t it be easier to just have public transportation be free to the public like we have the roads and sidewalks?
Absolutely ridicules! Non-enforcement is Seattles biggest problem in so many areas. Police do not enforce traffic violations as a result, people who walk and ride are at the greatest danager. Don’t enforce littering… in parks, again those that don’t have green spaces are hurt the most. Fare ambassadors (please the name says it all) and bus drivers… don’t enforce any rules. As a result the working poor are most hurt. Fare income is decreased not just by those that don’t pay, but by those who don’t take transit because they rather drive than put up with the disgusting conditions. I ride the #8 bus often, about 40-60% of the pasengers pay. 99% of passengers that eat, litter, yell, smoke, play loud music, get in fights, try to intimidate others passengers, take up several seats…… do not pay the fare. Again this does not effect the well off in the city, they can drive, it hurts those that cannot afford to drive.
As for not knowing how to pay the fare, ask a fellow passenger, most people in Seattle would be more than happy to help, or if you are shy, watch a youtube video or read a sign or read the Transit webpage. But agree would be easier with turnstiles. But god forbid we have turnstiles it is offensive to those that want to steal from the city.
Hmmm…never encountered any of that and I ride too.
I’ll bet they get paid $23hr and the person at the top, in charge of the program makes $150k a year. Not to mention all of tge people in-between. Would love to see a study of how much fare gets collected with them lurking around vs an honor system.
wow okay…so people earning a living is your new beef?
You people are killing us all with your “Zero taxes/40+ years flat wages” is your way of fixing stuff and our infrastructure grade is D- nationwide.
Hmmm