Lower fares for seniors, disabled riders on Sound Transit begin with new year
In-county riders on ST buses, Link light rail pay flat .75 starting Jan. 1, 2011
Starting Jan. 1, senior and disabled riders on Sound Transit buses and light rail trains will pay the same $.75 flat fare for in-county bus and light rail trips.
Currently, Regional Reduced Fare Permit holders pay $0.75 for one-zone and $1.25 for two-zone ST Express bus rides, and $0.75 through $1.25 per trip on Link light rail trains. When new fares take effect at the beginning of the year, senior and disabled riders will pay a flat rate of $0.75 for one- and two-zone ST Express bus and all light rail trips.
Sound Transit is changing its regional reduced fares to match King County Metro Transit fare changes that will also take effect Jan. 1.
Fares for Sounder commuter rail and adult, youth, and inter-county reduced fare riders on Central Link and ST Express buses will remain unchanged.
A comparison of Sound Transit fare changes is provided below.
Sound Transit Fares until December 31, 2010
|
|
Adult |
Youth |
Reduced Fare* |
|
ST Express |
` |
|
|
|
One-zone |
$2.00 |
$1.00 |
$0.75 |
|
Two-zone |
$2.50 |
$1.75 |
$1.25 |
|
Inter-county |
$3.00 |
$2.50 |
$1.50 |
|
Sounder |
$2.75 - $4.75 |
$2.00 – $3.50 |
$1.25 - $2.25 |
|
Central Link |
$1.75 - $2.50 |
$1.25 - $2.00 |
$0.75 - $1.25 |
|
Tacoma Link |
Free |
Free |
Free |
*Requires a Regional Reduced Fare Permit or Medicare card
Sound Transit Fares starting January 1, 2011
|
|
Adult |
Youth |
Reduced Fare* |
|
ST Express |
|
|
|
|
One-zone |
$2.00 |
$1.00 |
$0.75 |
|
Two-zone |
$2.50 |
$1.75 |
$0.75 |
|
Inter-county |
$3.00 |
$2.50 |
$1.50 |
|
Sounder |
$2.75 - $4.75 |
$2.00 - $3.50 |
$1.25 – $2.25 |
|
Central Link |
$1.75 - $2.50 |
$1.25 - $2.00 |
$0.75 |
|
Tacoma Link |
Free |
Free |
Free |
*Requires a Regional Reduced Fare Permit or Medicare card
The region's ORCA smart card system is a convenient way for senior and disabled riders to take advantage of the upcoming reduced and simplified fares. Riders who usually travel within a single county can load their ORCA card with a regional monthly pass good for $0.75 rides. Additional fares for trips across county lines can also be paid with dollar values loaded on the ORCA card's E-purse. Senior and disabled riders can obtain an ORCA card equipped with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit by going to http://www.orcacard.com or calling 1-888-988-6722, TTY Relay 711 or 888-889-6368 for eligibility requirements.