Did you pay your fare? Inspections start Monday at Sound Transit stations

Starting Monday, Sound Transit fare ambassadors will begin checking passengers for proof of payment on some Link station platforms.

This adds to the current fare checks that take place on Link and Sounder trains.

The new process will rollout at downtown Seattle stations, with inspections only occurring on the 1 line in the first phase.

Eventually, the approach will be expanded to other areas, according to Sound Transit spokesperson John Gallagher.

“The goal of this is really to educate our riders about our fare system,” Gallagher said. “Fares are an important part of our revenue and how we continue to operate the system,” he said.

Inspections will occur in designated fare-paid areas.

Gallagher said there will be yellow markings to indicate which areas are fare-paid zones at stations. The assumption is that people entering those areas have a ticket.

Gallagher said the new process is designed to help passengers avoid citations or possible fines, and instead buy a ticket or access services.

"If you don't have one, if you're on the platform, you can go right upstairs and, you know, buy a ticket and you're taken care of. If you say, 'I don't have the money for a fare,' you can get information about ORCA LIFT, which is for people with low income. It's a dollar a ride,” he said.

Sound Transit’s current enforcement system allows people to have multiple citations before facing fines for non-payment of fares.

The organization overhauled their approach several years ago after equity concerns. Data showed Black riders were facing fines and consequences like misdemeanors far more often, according to Seattle Times reporting.

The first phase of fare checks in stations will run through August. Sound Transit will collect passenger feedback about the process through an online survey.

Currently, Gallagher said 84% of passengers are paying fares. That number is based on six-month trend data from fare ambassadors.