Sound Transit fares changing August 30, 2024
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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| ORCA card machine Photo courtesy Sound Transit |
Link 1 (Lynnwood to Angle Lake) and Link 2 (serving the east side) Line fares changing August 30
$3 flat fare for adult passengers will replace distance-based fares
Starting Friday, August 30, the regular adult fare for Link light rail will be $3. This flat fare will replace Sound Transit’s distance-based fares, which range from $2.25 to $3.50. One-way fares for the T Line in Tacoma will remain $2.
Also starting August 30, the price for an Adult ORCA day pass will drop to $6 from the current $8 as part of a six-month promotional period. Under this ORCA promotion, the price for a reduced-fare pass will drop from $4 to $2.
The ORCA LIFT program is unchanged, and youth 18 and under continue to ride free.
Sounder train passengers will continue to tap on before boarding and tap off when they exit.
The Sound Transit Board approved the move to the new $3 flat fare for Link 1 and 2 Lines in December 2023 following public and passenger engagement about the proposed change, and after considering the potential impacts on ridership, equity and the agency financial plan.
Fares on Link have not changed since 2015. As the system expands, distance-based fares would become more complicated with some fare rates reaching $5 or more. The new flat fare is simpler and will position Link fares to integrate better within the regional transit system.
The change to flat fares coincides with the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension on August 30. This extension to the 1 Line will add 8.5 miles and four new stations, including the first ones in Snohomish County. Link 2 Line service to Downtown Redmond is expected to open early next year, followed later in the year by the rest of the 2 Line. The Federal Way extension is set to open in early 2026.
Information about fares and how to ride here.
The Sound Transit Board approved the move to the new $3 flat fare for Link 1 and 2 Lines in December 2023 following public and passenger engagement about the proposed change, and after considering the potential impacts on ridership, equity and the agency financial plan.
"After months of careful consideration, the Board has decided on a simple, flat fare to help boost ridership in the post-pandemic era, facilitate seamless regional integration, uphold our commitment to equity and maintain financial responsibility.
"These changes will enable daily commuters, occasional riders and visitors to easily and confidently rely on transit to get around," said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine.
Fares on Link have not changed since 2015. As the system expands, distance-based fares would become more complicated with some fare rates reaching $5 or more. The new flat fare is simpler and will position Link fares to integrate better within the regional transit system.
“Moving to a flat fare will make it easier for people to take Link light rail at a time when we expect many new riders with the imminent opening of the 1 Line to the Lynnwood City Center Station, the completion of the 2 Line to downtown Seattle and the expansion of service to Federal Way,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman.
The change to flat fares coincides with the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension on August 30. This extension to the 1 Line will add 8.5 miles and four new stations, including the first ones in Snohomish County. Link 2 Line service to Downtown Redmond is expected to open early next year, followed later in the year by the rest of the 2 Line. The Federal Way extension is set to open in early 2026.
Information about fares and how to ride here.
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