Latest news with #RegionalReducedFarePermit
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
King County Metro fare enforcement goes into effect today
Starting today, King County Metro will begin enforcing fare payments for all Metro buses and streetcars. Metro is relaunching fare enforcement after pausing it back in 2020. They will have at least 30 uniformed officers who will be checking to see if riders have paid their ticket or if their ORCA card is good to go. If it's a first-time offense, officers will help guide you on how to pay the right fare, either on the transit app or your ORCA card. A second violation will get you a written warning. However, for three or more violations, riders must choose from the following consequences: • Pay a fine of $40 within 90 days, reduced to $20 within 30 days. • Load $20 onto an ORCA card or—if eligible—$10 onto a reduced fare program card. • Enroll in a reduced fare program if eligible. • Perform two hours of community service. • Appeal to the Fare Adjudication Program Manager or request a customized resolution. • Youth who do not have proof of payment will not face a fine or alternative resolution, and will instead receive information on how to enroll in the Free Youth Transit Pass. King County Metro added that 'because the freedom to move is a human right,' they will offer reduced and free fares to those who might need assistance to ensure everyone can take transit: • Riders with lower incomes can get an ORCA LIFT card, which allows them to take Metro bus service for $1. • Riders with disabilities and seniors are similarly able to ride a Metro bus for $1 with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card. • All youth aged 18 and younger can ride for free and are encouraged to get an ORCA Youth card. • Additionally, riders with the lowest incomes who are enrolled in certain government programs can also ride for free with the Subsidized Annual Pass. • Please visit Metro's Reduced Fare web page to learn more about these programs and take a quick, five-question quiz to determine which fare may be right for you. According to King County Metro, Metro's Safety, Security and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative collaborated with thousands of riders, community members, and Metro employees to make the transit system more equitable, secure, and welcoming. 'We met with our community groups and we designed our fare enforcement uniforms so that while they still identify that they are fare enforcement officers, it's a kinder, gentler uniform,' shared Metro's Chief Safety Officer, Rebecca Frankhouser. To learn more, visit the King County Metro website.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
King County Metro to begin fare enforcement March 31
The Brief King County Metro will begin asking riders for proof of fare payment on bus and streetcar routes starting next week. Fare enforcement officers will be on RapidRide, the Seattle Streetcar, and other high-ridership bus routes, with full fare inspection to resume on May 31. SEATTLE - King County Metro says officers will begin asking riders for proof of fare payment on bus and streetcar routes starting next week. Timeline Fare enforcement officers are expected to be out on RapidRide, the Seattle Streetcar, and other high-ridership bus routes beginning Monday, March 31. Those who do not pay will receive friendly, verbal reminders, according to King County Metro. "Metro relies on fares to provide safe, clean and reliable transit service, however we estimate that one-third or more of our riders are not paying their fare," Metro's Chief Safety Officer Rebecca Frankhauser said. "By restarting fare enforcement, we're confident that many of our riders will return to their habits of tapping their ORCA cards or paying at the farebox." Metro says it will deploy 30 fare enforcement officers across the system. They will accept proof of payment in the form of: a tapped ORCA fare card a tapped ORCA card in Google Wallet an activated Transit GO Ticket on mobile a transfer slip from a farebox Full fare inspection will resume on May 31. At that time, riders without proof of payment will receive a written writing, and after two warnings, a third citation may result in a fine or alternative solution. On the third violation, riders will be asked to either pay a $40 fine within 90 days (reduced to $20 within 30 days), load $20 onto an ORCA card, enroll in a reduced fare program if eligible, perform two hours of community service, or make an appeal. Fare enforcement was paused in 2020, as Metro reassessed the transit system in an effort to make it more equitable and welcoming. Metro also highlighted its reduced and free fare cards: ORCA LIFT card for riders with lower incomes ($1 fares for Metro bus service) Regional Reduced Fare Permit for seniors and riders with disabilities ($1 bus fares) ORCA Youth cards for kids aged 18 and younger Subsidized annual pass for low-income riders enrolled in certain government programs More info online via the Reduced Fare portal The updated fare enforcement is happening in partnership with the SaFE Equity Workgroup to include more affordable fines, more forgiving policies for late payments, and lower minimum amounts to load onto ORCA or ORCA LIFT cards. The Source Information in this story is from King County Metro. Deputies shoot suspect in Spanaway, WA 'Happy Face' serial killer nearly confessed brutal murders to WA teen daughter Police investigate DV shooting at Redmond, WA, apartment complex Two teens arrested after shooting at father, son near Kitsap Mall in WA Bobcat or cougar? Magnolia residents report close call with wild cat To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
