King County Halts Metro Fare Enforcement During COVID-19 Outbreak

SEATTLE, WA — Fare enforcement inspections have ceased on all King County Metro buses amid a growing outbreak of the new coronavirus in Washington, officials announced Thursday.

Washington's most populous county remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, with 270 confirmed cases and 27 deaths linked to the virus.

King County Metro said fares are still required and passengers are still expected to pay or tap their ORCA cards. The transit agency cited public health recommendations on social distancing as the key factor in its decision.

"Suspending fare enforcement will limit hand-to-hand, close interactions between fare enforcement officers and passengers, protecting their health and — by extension — the health of our community," King County Metro wrote in a blog post.

Transit officials said fare enforcement officers will still be seen on buses and will "deliver safety support, assist customers and operators, and provide information or directions to those who need help finding resources."

Metro's announcement follows several tweets shared on social media in recent days, criticizing local transit authorities for continuing fare enforcement practices during a public health crisis.

In a blog post Thursday afternoon, Sound Transit announced its officers would no longer ask for proof of payment on buses and trains.