Alternative To Fare Enforcement On Metro Buses Proposed

SEATTLE, WA - King County Metro's fare enforcement efforts hurt the poor and homeless, exposing them to criminal charges and collection agencies unnecessarily, according to an April report from the King County Auditor's office.

This week, County Executive Dow Constantine sent a proposal to the King County Council to change fare enforcement on Metro buses. Fare jumpers would still be punished under Constantine's proposal, but in different ways.

Fare infractions will be diverted away from the county court system and into an "alternative resolution process" run by Metro. Tickets for infractions would drop by about $100 to $50 or less, and the tickets could be paid either by performing community service or signing up for ORCA Lift.

Fare enforcement officers randomly check for proof of payment aboard Metro's RapidRide bus lines. The officers will issue a verbal warning the first time and a ticket for the second infraction. Under Constantine's proposal, tickets that go unpaid for 90 days or more would result in a 30-day suspension from buses.

Constantine developed the alternative punishment system with transit and homelessness advocates.

"Mobility is a human right. We appreciate Metro’s willingness to work with the community to move beyond a fare enforcement system that punishes low-income people, homeless people, and people of color. For so many transit riders, public transit is not an option, it’s a lifeline. Not being able to pay a fare should never be an entry point to the criminal justice system, or lead to calls from a debt collector for a ticket you can’t afford to pay," Transit Riders Union general secretary Katie Wilson said in a statement.

File photo by Neal McNamara/Patch