Sound Transit to consider fare changes on April 22

Simplified fare structure proposed for implementation in June 2010, June 2011

On April 22 the Sound Transit Board will consider proposed fare changes for ST Express bus and Link light rail services. While increasing revenues in response to higher operating costs caused by inflation, proposed changes to the ST Express fare structure eliminates the current three-zone system and brings fares into alignment with other local transit agencies.

The proposal is two-phased, with one set of changes in June 2010 and another in June 2011. Sound Transit will host a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed changes April 22 from 12 - 12:30 p.m. People can also e-mail comments to STfarecomments@soundtransit.org or send them by mail to Sound Transit, Fare Proposals, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. All written comments must be received by April 22nd.

ST Express bus fares have increased only once, in 2005, during the 11 years the service has operated. Under the new structure, by 2011 there would be only two different fare levels, one for trips within the same county and one for inter-county trips. ST Express fares would change as follows:

A Link light rail fare increase of $.25 for adults is proposed for June 2011 to provide additional operating revenues while keeping light rail fares on par with local buses. The proposal also includes flattening youth and senior Link light rail fares in June 2011 to match the proposed in-county fare on Sound Transit Express bus services.

Details on all of the fare changes can be found here: www.soundtransit.org/farechanges.

2010 ST Express changes

ST Express fares for some adult trips would increase by up to $.50 in 2010, while fares for other trips would remain unchanged. There would be no changes for youth fares in 2010, with the exception that the current two-zone youth fare of $1.75 would change to $2.50 if the trip crosses county lines. Two- and three-zone senior and disabled fares would not change in 2010 except the current two-zone senior fare of $1.25 will change to $1.50 if the trip crosses county lines; one-zone trips would go up by $.25.

2011 ST Express changes

Adult fares would go up by $.50 in June 2011, with the exception that there would be no fare change for trips that are currently two zones trips within one county . Adult fares under the simplified structure would be:

• $2.50 for all in-county service
• $3.50 for all inter-county service

For youths, two-zone fares would decrease by $.75, while inter-county youth fares would not change and one-zone fares would go up $.25. Youth fares under the simplified structure would be:

• $1.25 for in-county service
• $2.50 for inter-county service

For seniors and persons with disabilities, fares for trips currently classified as two zones would decrease by $.50, while fares for all other trips would remain unchanged. Fares under the simplified structure would be:

• $0.75 for in-county service
• $1.50 for inter-county service

The new proposed fare structure for Link would be: