Sound Transit approves fare gates at 14 light rail stations, eyes up to $83M in new revenue

Sound Transit plans to bring fare gates to up to 14 of its light rail stations — a move that could generate nearly $83 million a year in net revenue.

On Thursday, the Sound Transit Board approved a pilot program to install and test fare gates on the Link 1 and 2 Lines.

Why Sound Transit Link stations never had fare gates

“In our light rail system’s infancy, Link stations were designed without fare gates or turnstiles, relying instead on passengers having proof of payment, a common fare structure for transit systems with street-level stations, including Portland MAX, Denver RTD, Phoenix Valley Metro, Dallas DART, Minneapolis METRO, and the San Diego Trolley,” the agency said in a news release.

“For years, this proof-of-payment system worked well for Link, which was initially a relatively small system serving many street-level stations,” the agency continued. “Board-requested studies in the past indicated that the cost of installing fare gates would be greater than the fare revenue they could recover.”

Earlier this month, KIRO host Charlie Harger reported that roughly 63% of light rail riders pay their fares.

“Sound Transit light rail has never had a gate. In the beginning, they said gates were too expensive, and no doubt they thought we’re special here in Seattle, and because of that, fare evasion would be minimal,” Harger said. “That would be wrong.”

60 miles, 50 stations — and proof-of-payment no longer works

But now, the agency said, the proof-of-payment system no longer works as the network covers 60 miles and has 50 stations, with 39 more stations to come in West Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Ballard, and Issaquah.

“Fare gates have the potential to significantly increase fare compliance rates and fare revenues,” the release stated. “Sound Transit Board policy states that farebox revenue must recover a specified percentage of operating costs, also known as ‘farebox recovery.’ For Link light rail, the agency’s farebox recovery target is 22%, and meeting that goal is important as we face continuing cost pressures.”

How much new fare revenue could the gates bring?

Fare gates could increase net revenue from fares by $32.8 million to $82.7 million per year, the agency said.

Sound Transit hopes to start installing them in 2029 or 2030.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO