Summary

With a controversial vote of the Sound Transit Board of Directors scheduled for tomorrow on loosening fare enforcement, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn sent the Board a letter (attached) urging them to reject the proposal.

Story

 With a controversial vote of the Sound Transit Board of Directors scheduled for tomorrow on loosening fare enforcement, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn sent the Board a letter urging them to reject the proposal. If passed, Sound Transit — one of the largest public transit systems in the nation — would greatly reduce, and possibly completely remove, consequences for fare evasion.

“This latest change of fare enforcement policies would effectively gut meaningful fare enforcement,” Dunn writes. “By greatly reducing any real consequences of fare evasion such as fines, and leaning more heavily on warnings, while removing any ability to suspend riders for chronic non-payment, these policies make fare payment optional for riding transit.

“In totality, these changes equate to a ‘no-enforcement’ policy — one that punishes honest riders and taxpayers, who are already feeling the strain of skyrocketing inflation and gas prices, by making them bear the burden of Sound Transit’s ever-mounting costs when payment cannot be required.

“Currently, farebox recovery is covering just 5% of the system’s cost, a mere fraction of Sound Transit’s 40% farebox recovery goal. Sound Transit cannot afford to send a message that non-payment is acceptable.”