Yes, we have been in touch with KCM on this.  Importantly, at the time the KCM audit was conducted, the ST and KCM approaches to fare enforcement were very different.  In order to address any issues of potential profiling, real or perceived, we had already instituted procedures where we use a very methodical approach to surveying every passenger in a set order with clearly defined criteria for engagement.  We recently brought up the appropriate Ops and Security folks to brief Rob Johnson on this same topic, complete with enforcement and complaint trend data.  We would welcome the opportunity to provide you and/or your staff with the same briefing.  

I’m not saying that things at ST are perfect, but I believe we have consistent and defensible procedures in place.  As in all things, the procedures are only as good as the folks implementing them.   And we have often struggled to retain fare enforcement personnel in part because of the pay scale.  As such, we tend to have more folks in training during the year than we would like.  That said, I have regularly seen the procedures in practice...just as a rider.  They aren’t just on paper.  

Let me know if we can come up and brief you or staff in the coming weeks.  -P

Peter-

 

The King County Council’s Mobility Committee recently received a presentation on Metro’s Rapid Ride fare enforcement audit. A number of issues were raised, including the disproportionate impact of fare enforcement on low-income people and people of color. Metro responded by taking some immediate steps such as:

·         Temporarily stopped referring misdemeanor cases of fare evasion to the Metro Transit Police.

·         Juveniles without proof of payment are now given one additional verbal warning before they are issued a citation.

·         Providing more oversight and improved training for fare enforcement officers, including equitable enforcement and interacting with youth.

 

I believe they are working with stakeholders to think through other short and long term solutions. I’ve been pleased with Metro’s response so far and started wondering how Sound Transit’s fare enforcement efforts compare. Are you working with Metro on these issues? Have you been talking to stakeholders about improvements we can make at Sound Transit? Having Sound Transit and Metro at the table together now will help ensure a more seamless customer experience. 

 

Thanks,

 

-Joe

 

Joe McDermott

King County Councilmember, District 8

Chair, King County Council

 

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