What's new for the ORCA card and light rail enforcement

Come September, passengers caught on Sound Transit light rail without paying could get sent to collections or court.

ORCA changes

As of this week, ORCA cards are running on a new system. It's meant to make it easier for passengers to add money to their account, and brings technology upgrades to the system's 6,000 card readers.

People can keep using their existing ORCA card, but now can load money in real time from a mobile phone by going to myORCA.com or the myORCA smartphone app. The agencies that run ORCA, including Sound Transit and Community Transit, will replace the free-standing card readers and vending machines with new models over the next few months.

Prices to purchase a card have also changed, from $5 to $3 for adults. It's free for low-income riders.

Fare enforcement changes

In another series of transit changes, the Sound Transit Board voted on April 28 to change how it enforces fare payments.

Under the new rules, a person caught without paying three or more times could face a $124 fine. If fares and fines are left unpaid, the violator could be sent to collections after a fourth violation. A fifth violation could result in a misdemeanor charge.

King County council member Dave Upthegrove spoke during the vote. He said, "You know how frustrating it is to people to have a law that says you can't ride on the train without paying the fare, and then seeing zero consequences for most people who willfully don't pay their fare."

Despite the ability to now send passengers to collections, board members suggest the new plan is more equitable because there will be no punishment for the first two violations.

In another change, the price for a trip will be lowered to $1 for low-income riders.

Sound Transit says it’s working to figure out how to bring in more revenue from passenger fares, a revenue source that has dropped by an estimated 2-Billion dollars since 2019

One issue the board was unable to address is what happens if a rider refuses to give their name and identification, which fare ambassadors cannot forcibly obtain.

The new rules are scheduled to take effect on September 17.