Central Link Light Rail revenue collected by Sound Transit in 2009:  $2.4 million

Notes:

In contrast to the $2.426 million in fare revenue reported above, the Sound Transit 4th quarter financial report states that 2009 Link fare collections were $2.263 million, a discrepancy not yet explained.

The 2009 budget for fare revenue was $3.0 million, as stated on page 20 of the adopted 2009 budget.  The 2009 budget stated in the 4th quarter financial report is $2.4 million, another discrepancy not yet explained, although PITF has made an inquiry to Sound Transit about this.

"ORCA" refers to the smart card fare media introduced in 2009.  Non-ORCA passes are monthly passes often offered through employers, including the U-Pass used by University of Washington students.

Fares are collected through an honor system of ticket purchase or reading of an ORCA card.  Random fare enforcement is carried on by the verification of customers' proof of payment by uniformed inspectors, four of whom are shown in action on March 18, 2010 aboard a Link rail car.

Sound Transit reports that Central Link carried 2.5 million passengers in 2009.  This count along with the revenue reported above indicates the average revenue per passenger was 97 cents.  This is well below the published adult fare of $1.75 to $2.50, but many rides in 2009 were taken with paper transfers issued by King County Metro, which yielded no revenue for Sound Transit.  This fare media is no longer accepted by Sound Transit as of 2010.  Also, Non-ORCA pass revenue comes in at a discount below published fares.

The 2009 actual operating cost was reported in the 4th quarter 2009 financial report as $21.4 million.  The long-run policy target for the recovery of light rail operating expenses through fare collections after the start-up phase is 40%, but the actual results in 2009 from the fare revenue stated above is about 11%.

Return to Public Interest Transportation Forum home page.

Last modified: March 18, 2010