Sound Transit weighs fare gates, rate hikes amid budget shortfall
Cash-strapped Sound Transit is considering installing fare gates and raising rates as it grapples with a budget shortfall estimated at $35 billion.
An agency document says fare gates would “increase compliance” across the system while standard fare increases would occur at “specific time intervals.”
Sound Transit has considered installing fare gates at both Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail stations for several years. A report last December notes that fare revenue declined by $4 million from 2019 to 2024 despite a ridership increase of 5 million passengers.
The study says gates in other cities — including San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia and St. Louis — have increased security and boosted revenue, adding that the gates would allow front-line staff to be redeployed.
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