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Fare gates coming to 14 Seattle area light rail stations
KUOW • • business
Key Points:
- Sound Transit plans to install turnstiles at 14 of the busiest light rail stations in Seattle by late 2029 to early 2030, aiming to reduce fare evasion and increase revenue for the ST3 expansion project.
- The pilot program targets stations from Northgate to International District/Chinatown, plus key stations like SeaTac Airport and Downtown Bellevue, covering over 85% of light rail riders.
- The estimated cost for building fare gates and additional ticket booths is $87 million, with an expected $30 million annual increase in fare revenue after the pilot, which could run through 2034.
- The new system will require riders to tap their ORCA cards both entering and exiting stations, a change from the current practice of tapping only before boarding.
- While some riders support the gates as a fair way to fund transit expansion, others express concern about affordability and accessibility for low-income passengers, though King County offers discounted fares through the ORCA LIFT program.
