I want to correct a few omissions in the recent editorial about Sound Transit’s light rail fares (“Sound Transit’s lax fare policy just isn’t fair,” The Herald).
First, not all voters in the three counties approved this measure. While King County carried the measure with 57 percent, 56 percent of voters in Pierce County had voted no; Snohomish barely squeaked by with a yes vote of only 51 percent, just putting it over the margin of victory at 54 percent, after combining the three counties. It was by no means the popular referendum they made it out to be.
Second, The Herald notes that fare ambassadors can issue warnings and fines for non-payment. What the editorial did not mention is that that will solely depend on whether or not the non-fare paying person identifies himself or herself. Scofflaws are under no obligation to do so, and ambassadors cannot compel them to, nor can they kick them off. So the non-payers can continue to ride the rails for free, forever, whether that includes camping out on the trains or substance abuse, which the police won’t arrest them for, either.
Sound Transit, in an effort to kowtow to the homeless, the addicted, and anti-racism, put no teeth whatsoever into their policy, and for that reason ST3 will either collapse at some point, or they will seek to raise taxes even higher to make up for their own shortcomings.
Michael Neeley
Everett
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