The pandemic has hastened a fork in the road for our local public transit agencies. When offices first went remote, commuting dwindled, cutting into bus and light rail revenue that helped support operating costs. Those continuing to ride didn’t have to pay for a while, either, as King County Metro halted passenger payments and Sound Transit stopped checking for ORCA cards.
Both systems have since reinstated fares, but the larger question raised by free rides and a de facto honor system at rail stations remains: Is Before Times fare enforcement really necessary for buses and trains to run?
Last week, Sound Transit took one step toward reforming the status quo. Its board opted to lighten up on enforcement, increasing the number of warnings issued
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