Your ticket to ride: Sound Transit's fare and zone proposals taking shape, public hearings slated for January
In 1999, Sound Transit's Sounder commuter rail and Regional Express bus service will introduce a new wave of transportation for central Puget Sound, and to help ensure these new regional transit systems will be easy and convenient to use, Sound Transit is proposing to make fares and travel as simple and customer-friendly as possible.
For more than a year, Sound Transit has worked closely with transit partner agencies Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro and Pierce Transit, and using their current systems as a starting point, Sound Transit has developed two fare and zone proposals.
One proposal divides Sound Transit's three-county district into six zones, with a focus on the region's major urban centers of Bellevue, Everett, Seattle and Tacoma. Fares would be $1.25 for a one zone trip, $1.75 for a two zone trip and $2.50 for a three zone trip.
A second proposal divides the Sound Transit district into five sub-areas similar to the ones described in the Sound Move regional transit plan approved by voters in 1996. Fares under this proposal would be $1.25 for one zone, $2 for two zones and $3 for three zones.
All fare proposals include discounted rates for seniors and youths.
Maps and more detailed descriptions of Sound Transit's fare and zone proposals are outlined in the enclosed "Quick Facts" information sheet entitled "Your ticket to ride" and also on the Sound Transit Web site at www.soundtransit.org/.
People are encouraged to share their ideas and input on Sound Transit's fare and zone proposals at the following public hearings:
| Thursday, Jan. 14 1-2 p.m. Tacoma Public Library |
| Friday, Jan. 15 12 noon - 12:45 p.m. Sound Transit |
| Friday, Jan. 15 6-8 p.m. Plymouth Congregational Church |
Written comments are always welcome and should be mailed to Barbara Gilliland, Sound Transit, 1100 Second Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98101.
Approved by voters in 1996, Sound Transit is on track to implement a three-county regional transit system plan known as Sound Move. Sound Move will be a seamless blend of three transportation systems: Sounder commuter rail, running 81 miles from Everett to Tacoma/Lakewood; Link light rail, a 24-mile system connecting the cities of Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac and a 1.6 mile system connecting downtown Tacoma with the Tacoma Dome commuter station; and Regional Express, a bus transit system that will connect the major metropolitan areas of Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma and Seattle with other cities and numerous communities with 20 new, fast, limited-stop bus routes and numerous improvements to transit centers, park-and-ride lots and HOV lanes throughout the region..
For more information on Sound Move, please visit the Sound Transit website at www.soundtransit.org/. You may also write or call for more information at Sound Transit, 1100 Second Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98101-2423 (206) 398-5000 or call the toll-free information line at 1-800-201-4900.
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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.