Sound Transit 'Ambassador' Program to Enforce Transit Fares
The Fare Ambassador Pilot Program grew out of passenger feedback and community engagement that expressed discomfort with fare enforcement officers who resemble law enforcement.

Throughout the pilot, Sound Transit will continue to engage with passengers and the community including BIPOC-led organizations, to learn about their experiences with the program and gather feedback that will be used to refine the program and develop long-term approaches to addressing non-payment.
Sound Transit
Sound Transit Fare Ambassadors will begin conducting physical fare checks on Sept. 13. The move marks the start of an eight-month pilot program in which Fare Ambassadors will replace fare enforcement officers as part of Sound Transit’s ongoing efforts to create more equitable fare collection processes.
“Fare revenues are critical for operating a fast-expanding regional transit system that increases mobility and opportunities across the region, especially for populations that depend most on transit,” said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. “It is critical that we foster a welcoming environment for every rider and ensure that transit is accessible and affordable for all. Our initiative includes expanding access to more affordable ORCA LIFT fares for low-income riders, as well as our partnership with King County Metro to provide subsidized annual passes to qualified riders. The Fare Ambassador Pilot Program supports this ongoing transformation and reflects Sound Transit’s deep commitment to equity.”
The Fare Ambassador Pilot Program grew out of passenger feedback and community engagement that expressed discomfort with fare enforcement officers who resemble law enforcement. In response, Fare Ambassadors wear bright yellow caps and carry yellow messenger bags that make them easy to recognize. Their focus is on passenger education and customer service rather than enforcement, with particular emphasis on how to purchase ORCA cards and passes and how income-eligible passengers can obtain ORCA LIFT cards.
Fare Ambassadors will enter trains from both ends of the car and ask every passenger for proof of payment as they work their way toward the center. The process has been used by fare enforcement officers previously to ensure equal treatment of all passengers. As in the past, Fare Ambassadors will use hand-held devices to check fares.
Citations are not being issued during the pilot program. Fare Ambassadors will give passengers they interact with a card containing a QR code linking to the fare engagement website, where passengers can complete a satisfaction survey.
Throughout the pilot, Sound Transit will continue to engage with passengers and the community including BIPOC-led organizations, to learn about their experiences with the program and gather feedback that will be used to refine the program and develop long-term approaches to addressing non-payment.
At the conclusion of the pilot, staff will evaluate the results, including farebox recovery, and propose policy changes for consideration by the Sound Transit board of directors. Policy updates could include lowering fines, implementing a new citation resolution process without court adjudication, and making the Fare Ambassador positions permanent.
More Rail

Seattle’s Sound Transit Adopts Updated ST3 System Plan
The updated system plan incorporates cost savings across the agency, including new revenue sources and financial policies, to set the agency on a sustainable path for the future.
Read More →
Inside Look: EMBARK Expands Fare-Free Transit Program Through New Public-Private Partnership
The OKC transit agency says sponsorship helps subsidize the Third Friday Free initiative while reducing barriers for first-time riders and boosting ridership across buses, streetcars, and river cruises.
Read More →
North Carolina's Metropolitan Transit Commission Concludes Decades of Leadership
To commemorate the occasion, current members of the MTC were presented with a custom painting of the Charlotte Transportation Center in Uptown.
Read More →
The Evolving Role of Program Management in Transit Delivery
Brian Buchanan, HDR’s transit program management lead, discusses how agencies can strengthen governance, anticipate risk and deliver large-scale projects more effectively.
Read More →
High-Speed Rail Proposal Aims to Transform U.S. Passenger Rail Investment
The legislation pairs rail expansion with housing, safety, and economic development goals designed to reshape how regions grow around transit.
Read More →
FTA Invests $166M to Modernize America’s Passenger Rail Infrastructure
The Administration said the funding will support capital projects to replace outdated rail rolling stock, including passenger railcars and propulsion vehicles used in public transportation service.
Read More →
Rays the Mark Foundation to Honor CDTA’s Emily DeVito at October Fundraiser
Event at Chicago-area Ravisloe Country Club will support DeVito, a transit employee and mother of twins battling kidney failure and awaiting a transplant.
Read More →
New York MTA Issues RFP for 252 Metro-North Passenger Cars
The competitive RFP includes an option to purchase an additional 377 cars, reserved for future expansions of the Metro-North service area.
Read More →
SFRTA Partners on “Are You OK?” Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Supported by a $56,500 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, the program will combine targeted public education campaigns with specialized training for SFRTA employees, contractors, and regional partners.
Read More →
Major Rail Projects Don’t Have to Mean Major Security Gaps
Crowded platforms. Temporary routes. New risks. Discover why video tech is critical during rail upgrades.
Read More →