Sound Transit approves fare gate pilot at up to 14 Link stations

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   Sound Transit allocates $6 million for fare gate design pilot

   The Sound Transit Board approved $6 million to design fare gate retrofits at up to 14 light rail stations, including Lynnwood City Center. The agency expects the gates to go online in 2029 or 2030, though this timeline depends on future construction funding. Early estimates suggest the investment could pay for itself within two to three years. This pilot represents a move toward physical fare enforcement to increase revenue on the Link light rail system.

   Why it matters

   Sound Transit previously operated without physical barriers to entry. The agency now projects that these gates could generate nearly $83 million in annual net revenue.

   What is confirmed

   • Sound Transit approved $6 million to design fare gate retrofits at up to 14 light rail stations.
   • The fare gates are targeted to go online in 2029 or 2030.
   • Lynnwood City Center is one of the stations included in the pilot program.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The fare gate investment could pay for itself within two to three years.

   What to watch next

   • Allocation of construction funding for the retrofits
   • Results of the design phase for the 14 pilot stations
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.heraldnet.com — Sound Transit OKs design of fare gates at light rail stations
   2. www.theurbanist.org — Sound Transit Board Greenlights Targeted Fare Gate Retrofits
   3. www.djc.com — Fare gates coming to a Link station near you
   4. komonews.com — Sound Transit probes fish deaths near I-90 floating bridge rail line as fixes begin
   5. www.theurbanist.org — Seattle's Pinehurst Light Rail Station Will Open September 30
   confidence 100%
2. 18d ago

   Sound Transit Board Approves Fare Gate Pilot for Link Stations

   The Sound Transit board voted to implement a fare gate pilot program at up to 14 Link light rail stations. The agency targets installation for 2029-2030. This move aims to increase revenue, with projections suggesting the gates could generate nearly $83 million in annual net revenue. The pilot marks a shift toward physical fare enforcement for the Seattle area light rail system.

   Why it matters

   Sound Transit has previously operated without physical barriers at station entrances. Implementing gates changes how passengers access the system and how the agency collects fares.

   What is confirmed

   • Sound Transit approved a fare gate pilot for up to 14 Link stations.
   • The project targets installation between 2029 and 2030.
   • The agency expects the fare gates could generate nearly $83 million in annual net revenue.

   What to watch next

   • Announcement of the specific 14 stations selected for the pilot
   • Updates on the procurement process for the gate hardware
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. KOMO — Sound Transit approves fare gate pilot at up to 14 Link stations
   2. Sound Transit — Fare gates are coming to many Link stations
   3. KING5.com — Sound Transit board votes to move forward with light rail fare gate pilot
   4. KUOW — Fare gates coming to 14 Seattle area light rail stations
   5. The Seattle Times — Seattle light rail inches closer to installing fare gates
   6. MyNorthwest.com — Sound Transit approves fare gates at 14 light rail stations, eyes up to $83M in new revenue
   7. www.yahoo.com — Sound Transit approves fare gates at 14 light rail stations, eyes up to $83M in new revenue
   8. www.theurbanist.org — Everett Link Reaches Key Federal Approval Milestone
   9. www.railway.supply — Sound Transit Fare Gates Planned for 14 Link Stations
   confidence 100%