You may have seen the signs posted all around Sound Transit’s light rail stations saying, in bold, capitalized letters: “Fare policy in effect starting November 15.” The messaging is crystal clear to passengers: pay up or you could get in trouble.
Fare enforcement policies are common throughout most transit systems around the world. Some, like New York City’s subway, rely on physical turnstiles to block nonpaying riders. Others are based on voluntary compliance enforced by periodic fare checks. Sound Transit’s Link light rail falls in this second category. ...