Tacoma — Will Remain Fare Free

May 2016

Progressive Railroading reports that Sound Transit's Board voted recently to continue to operate the Tacoma Link modern streetcar without collecting fares. This policy will remain until the planned 2.4-mile extension opens in 2022.

Keeping the line fare free until it is extended to the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods in Tacoma, Wash., will ensure that the service remains an "attractive benefit" to both businesses and local residents, said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Marilyn Strickland in a press release.

Since 2014, the Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (BIA) has made annual contributions to keep the system free, according to the release.

The board in 1999 designated Tacoma Link a fare-free service based on analysis that showed the cost of collecting fares would exceed the amount of fares collected, Sound Transit officials said.