Suspended due to the pandemic, car pool parking permits are coming back
Oct 26, 2022, 3:29 PM | Updated: Oct 27, 2022, 8:13 am
Photo from Creative Commons by SounderBruce, Photo has been edited from it's original size
Starting Nov. 1, carpool parking permits are returning to Northgate and Tukwila Boulevard stations.
“These two garages are routinely, if not full, almost full,” said Sound Transit Public Information Officer David Jackson. “Northgate these days is trending at 100% occupancy with 443 spaces. Tukwila is 97% occupancy with 600 spaces.”
Parking rates change across Seattle starting today
Bringing back the permits allows for spaces to open up, so carpool commuters don’t have to arrive at the crack of dawn just to get a parking space.
Jackson said carpool drivers can guarantee themselves a space at very competitive locations. However, in order to get a space, you have to apply for a parking permit. He says there are a few left, but be advised Sound Transit says:
“Permit applicants must provide basic contact information and ORCA card or Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card numbers for each carpool member. Regular transit ridership is not required for the initial issue of a parking permit, but once a permit is issued, ORCA records will be checked to verify regular ridership. At least two carpool members must ride a bus or train from the same station or transit center on the same day at least 12 days per month to qualify for monthly permit renewals.”
The requirement is that two or more people have to be in a vehicle for it to be considered a “carpool.”
Once drivers receive their permits, they must display them on their vehicles when parking at either station.
In the beginning, Sound Transit won’t be too hard to carpool parkers; but Jackson says they can check to see if they are using transit and if they are not using transit when parked in a carpool zone, they can send a warning.
For now, Sound Transit doesn’t have any plans to request permits at other carpool parking stations. However, that could change in the future depending on how well this new system works out.
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