Welcome
Welcome to our online open house!
Changes are coming to Sound Transit in 2024! Next year will see expanded services and new facilities opening across our network that serves our growing region. As we move closer to next year, we are considering changes to Link light rail fares and our parking program. Read on to learn more about possible changes.
Our survey is now closed, but you can can still learn about this project below.
How to use this online open house
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Project overview
More services in more places to serve more people
At Sound Transit, we’re connecting more people to more places to make life better and create equitable opportunities for all. Sound Transit builds and operates regional transit services throughout the urban areas of Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. Transit services include Link light rail, Sounder trains, ST Express busses, Tacoma Link light rail, and soon, Stride Bus Rapid Transit. With voter approval, Sound Transit is planning and building the most ambitious transit expansion in the country.
As we prepare to serve more places and more people than ever before, we need to revisit how we charge people to ride Link light rail fares and our parking program.
Link light rail fares
Why is Sound Transit considering fare changes now?
Map of Link light rail service area.
Click image to enlarge.
Link light rail fares are an essential source of revenue for Sound Transit. We use this revenue to help operate our expanding transit system that serves more people and make sure we maintain high-quality service. Sound Transit draws additional revenue from sources such as sales tax, government grants, property taxes, and motor vehicle excise taxes. Learn more about light rail services and expansion, and view a map of Sound Transit’s current service area.
It’s been eight years since Sound Transit increased Link light rail fares. While we delayed fare increases during the pandemic, we must adjust to current economic conditions to deliver on our commitments to the region. If fare revenue falls below our targets, Sound Transit may be unable to deliver the quality services and expansions we have promised you.
Currently, Sound Transit charges between $2.25 and $3.50 for adults traveling one way. Fare is based on where passengers “tap on,” starting their ride, and where they “tap off,” ending their trip. This is called a distance-based fare. As the system expands, the fare range will also increase, meaning higher fares for longer trips. For example, when Link extensions to Lynnwood, Federal Way and Downtown Redmond open, the distance-based fares would range from $2.25-$4.25 if no action is taken.
We are considering changing the way we charge for adult fares. Sound Transit is not considering any fare changes for youth 18 and under, seniors, people with disabilities, or people who use ORCA LIFT cards. Our approach to fare changes is guided by the following vision: We serve passengers with a fare structure that is regionally integrated to encourage transit ridership through equitable and simple pricing, and financial stewardship.
Free and reduced fares for special rider groups
Youth 18 years and younger ride free.
Reduced fares for low-income riders, seniors, and riders with disabilities. Click the links to see if you qualify.
What could the fare changes look like?
Sound Transit is considering two fare structures for Link light rail. We’re considering recommending the fare options below to the Sound Transit Board of Directors and may change as we learn more from our community members.
Comparison of costs
| Option | Option 1: Updated distance-based fare | Option 2: New flat fare |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Link light rail passengers will pay different amounts depending on the distance they travel. | Link light rail passengers will pay the same amount regardless of how far they travel. |
| Cost: | Base fare increases of $0.25 or $0.50 are under consideration, resulting in fare ranges of $2.50–$4.50 or $2.75–$4.75 after light rail expands to Lynnwood, Redmond, and Federal Way. | Flat fare rates of $3, $3.25 or $3.50 are under consideration. |
| What will this look like for you: |
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Parking access
What is Sound Transit’s parking program?
Sound Transit operates park-and-ride lots at Link light rail, Sounder, and ST Express stations and transit centers. To maximize transit ridership and to help manage the availability of parking spaces, Sound Transit is authorized to use permits, fees, and technologies at our park-and-ride lots. Carpool parking permits are currently issued at the busiest parking locations, such as Northgate and Tukwila International Boulevard stations.
Why is Sound Transit considering changing how it manages park-and-ride lots?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sound Transit’s park-and-ride lots were regularly full early in the morning, making it difficult for many people to access transit. To improve access, we established a reserved permit parking area at the busiest lots. Also, we issued free reserved carpool parking permits and paid reserved single-occupant vehicle permits. Both efforts are intended to give passengers a chance to find parking during the morning rush hours. Deeply discounted permits were available for ORCA LIFT qualified passengers.
Permit parking was suspended in March 2020 with the drop in ridership and parking usage caused by COVID-19. Parking usage has been trending up in the last two years, and free carpool permit parking was re-started at the Tukwila International Boulevard and Northgate stations in 2022.
As Sound Transit prepares to open new Link light rail lines with 12 new and expanded park-and-ride lots in the next few years, parking is expected to regularly hit capacity. Now is the time to plan for efficient use of our parking areas, to ensure passengers have reliable access to parking, and to recover agency costs associated with our park-and-ride lots, as called for in the voter-approved ST3 System Plan.
What could parking access changes look like?
Sound Transit is considering a variety of tools, including adoption of daily fees, at some or all park-and-ride lots. Monthly permits and daily user fees can help Sound Transit manage the availability of parking spaces so passengers are more likely to find a space when they need one.
Charging for fees and permits means passengers using park-and-ride lots help cover the cost to provide that service, preserving tax and fare revenue for improved transit service. Permits and daily fees also encourage passengers to share rides to stations, helping Sound Transit accommodate more passengers and boosting overall transit ridership.
We want your feedback on different options we are considering, which are summarized below. These options will inform an eventual recommendation to the Sound Transit Board of Directors on an expanded parking program.
What might this look like?
Note: Maps are not to scale and are designed to highlight park and rides.
Option A:
Tiered daily fees with reserved permit options
Example of Option A
Key
$4 daily fee
$3 daily fee
$2 daily fee
Optional reserved permit parking
Link light rail (2026)
Sounder
Overview
- Daily fee for general first-come, first-served parking at Link stations and all park-and-ride lots regularly more than half full.
- Initial rates set based on cost of parking nearby.
- A permit option is available at busiest park-and-ride lots to keep some spaces open.
- Carpool permits available free of charge; solo driver permits cost $45–$120 per month.
- Permits and fees discounted for passengers qualified for ORCA LIFT.
Trade-offs
- Higher ridership with more carpooling and better midday access.
- More choices, but more complex for passengers to use and for Sound Transit to manage.
Potential Daily Fee Range
$2–4 per day
Option B:
Variable daily fees with no reserved permits
Example of Option B
Key
$8 daily fee
$6 daily fee
$5 daily fee
$4 daily fee
$3 daily fee
$2 daily fee
Link light rail (2026)
Sounder
Overview
- All parking available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reserved permit options.
- Variable daily fees at Link stations and all park-and-ride lots that are regularly more than 50% full.
- Initial rates vary by park-and-ride lot, from $2–6 or higher, based on cost of parking nearby.
- Pricing adjusted regularly to keep some spaces open at all stations.
- Free or discounted fees for carpools/vanpools and passengers qualified for ORCA LIFT.
Trade-offs
- Better parking availability for passengers at all locations/times.
- Higher fees at selected park-and-ride lots.
- Frequent price changes require more frequent updates to passengers.
Potential Daily Fee Range
Variable: $2–10 per day
Option C:
Flat daily fee with no reserved permits
Example of Option C
Key
$4 daily fee
Link light rail (2026)
Sounder
Overview
- All parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reserved permit options.
- Flat daily fee of $4 (initial pricing) applies to all park-and-ride lots.
- Fee adjusted annually to recover costs to operate and maintain parking.
- Free or discounted fees for carpools/vanpools and passengers qualified for ORCA LIFT.
Trade-offs
- Maximizes revenue to fund parking operations and transit service.
- Simpler for passengers to understand and for Sound Transit to administer.
- Lowest parking usage and transit ridership.
Potential Daily Fee Range
Flat: $4 per day