Sound Transit to reintroduce fares June 1 with Recovery Fare option
May 18, 2020, 11:51 AM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:55 am
The Auburn Sounder Station. (Sound Transit)
(Sound Transit)
Sound Transit is reintroducing fares on Link light rail and Sounder service starting June 1, but will be offering a temporarily reduced “Recovery Fare.” Service will increase at this time as well, with Link trains to run every 20 minutes during the day, then every 30 minutes in the evenings and on weekends.
Recovery Fares will be $1 on Link and $2 on Sounder, available at the ticket vending machines through the month of June. Adult fares on Link light rail normally range from $2.25 to $3.25, while adult fares on Sounder trains vary between $3.25 and $5.75, depending on how far you travel.
Sound Transit will also be promoting ORCA Lift, a reduced-fare program for income-qualified riders with discounts of up to 66 percent on Sound Transit and other regional services. See if you are eligible, and apply for ORCA Lift online or over the phone.
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Recovery Fares will be available contact-free on the Transit GO Ticket app, in addition to being available at the ticketing machines. Recovery Fare paper tickets and Transit GO tickets cannot be used for transfers. ORCA cards will be charged full fare, but may be used for transfers.
In order to protect employees and passengers, all transit staff will continue to wear face masks. Sound Transit passengers are asked to wear face coverings consistent with public health directives. In King County, the face covering directive kicked off Monday, May 18, encouraging residents to wear masks in all public settings.
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All travel should be limited to essential trips at this time. Riders should continue to follow social distancing and health guidelines to protect themselves and the community. Sound Transit is disinfecting vehicles and facilities frequently, with an emphasis on ticket vending machines and high-touch points.
Sound Transit fares provide money to support transit operations, and allow the agency to increase safety and security measures for riders.
“The agency saw a dramatic increase in unsanitary conditions, rider complaints and incidents of vandalism after fares were temporarily suspended in March,” according to a release from Sound Transit. “The issues have been associated in part with riders taking repetitive trips without apparent destinations.”
ST Express buses will continue to remain fare-free temporarily. Fare enforcement officers will educate riders about the resumption of fares, Recovery Fare, and provide information about ORCA Lift. Once fares restart, officers will ask riders to show an ORCA card, Transit GO Ticket app ticket, or a paper ticket as proof of payment.
The Sounder reductions that have been in effect will continue. Weekday services remain at two daily round trips. Find more information on the specific trips cancelled online here.
