Link Transit Approves Zero Fare Policy

After more than two years of providing zero-fare service—first through a suspension of fares in March 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a one-year “zero-fare pilot program” beginning in July 2021—Link Transit is now—and once again—officially zero-fare. Link’s Board of Directors adopted this change to the fare policy on Tuesday, June 21 at their regular monthly meeting.

Originally established in 1991 as a zero-fare system, Link Transit operated through February 2000 without charging fares for any services. With the passage of Initiative 695 in November 1999 and the resulting loss of nearly 45% of funding, a fare was implemented to help minimize the need to reduce service. Fares were increased twice over the next 11 years.

Over the last decade, fares accounted for a diminishing percentage of total operating costs—from 9.1% in 2012 to 4.7% in 2019. A recent analysis of fare collection also indicated that 46% of Link’s riders in 2019 did not pay a fare, for reasons including operating three high-ridership routes that were zero-fare for all riders, offering free service for youth under 12, and allowing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-eligible individuals to ride fixed-route service for free. Additional deep discounts available with monthly passes and employer pass programs further reduced fare revenue.

Ridership dropped sharply in March 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and began a slow and steady rebound later that year. Most other systems in Washington State and nationwide are reporting current ridership of about 30% to 60% of pre-COVID levels. Link Transit’s ridership recovery is significantly above average, with total May 2022 ridership measured at 96% of pre-COVID levels. Weekend ridership has surpassed pre-COVID numbers, and average weekday ridership is about 85% of prior levels.

“We feel that a zero-fare system will allow us to continue growing ridership, while addressing equity and accessibility issues throughout our diverse communities”, said Cristina Barone, Link’s Planning and Development Manager. “The idea of zero-fare transit is gaining traction throughout the country, and Link Transit is happy to be able to be in the forefront of this movement.” There are currently several other systems in Washington State that operate zero-fare service, including Island Transit on Whidbey Island, Mason Transit in Shelton, and Intercity Transit in Olympia. Additionally, Valley Transit in Walla Walla has eliminated fares for the next three years, and Jefferson Transit in Port Townsend has maintained zero-fare service since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Link Transit is funded by a voter-approved 0.5% of locally-collected sales tax and a variety of Federal and state operating and capital grant programs, including new funding recently announced through the state’s Move Ahead Washington program.

Eric West

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

509-664-7622 (o)

509-423-0973