SEATTLE — Sound Transit said fare inspections at light rail stations will begin within two weeks, with passengers needing to provide proof of payment within "fare paid zones."
Fare ambassadors will check passengers for proof of payment at Link stations starting June 3, according to Sound Transit. The ambassadors will be doing fare checks onboard Link and Sounder trains as well.
Sound Transit said there will be fare-paid zone inspections within "designated fare-paid areas" of Link stations, which could include station platforms. During the first phase of this rollout - which will run through August - these inspections will happen only on the 1 Line, at downtown Seattle stations at different times. Sound Transit said it will add more fare inspection areas in later phases.
The Sound Transit Board approved fare-paid zone inspections in 2022. The agency expects fare collection rates to improve by allowing ambassadors to help people without proof of payment with options to pay rather than relying on citations.
Sound Transit said it will collect passenger feedback about the new fare enforcement policy through an online survey. The results of the survey will influence Sound Transit's fare inspection process in its second phase, which is expected to begin in September.
The second phase of fare inspection coincides with the Aug. 30 opening of the 1 Line expansion to Lynnwood. Sound Transit is expecting heavy ridership and crowded trains during peak periods when the Lynnwood Link opens.