But using armed police to enforce fare payment is less than ideal in the eyes of the top court in the state of Washington.
Transit fare enforcement is still legal in Washington, according to a recent ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court, but transit agencies have been advised to rethink their use of armed police officers on public transit.
Donna Gordon Blakenship reports on the ruling for Crosscut, noting the mixed-bag for transit agencies. On the one hand, the ruling “does not prohibit transit agencies from using armed officers for fare enforcement,” but on the other hand, “it does explain at length why plaintiff Zachery Kyle Meredith should not have been handcuffed and arrested for not paying to ride a bus in Snohomish County in 2018.”
“‘Many transit systems have already discontinued similar practices due to their known, racially disproportionate impact,’ Justice Mary Yu wrote in the beginning of the lead ruling,” according to the article. Still, according to the ruling, transit agencies have the authority to ensure fare payment.
FULL STORY: WA Supreme Court upholds the legality of transit fare enforcement
'Freedom to Move Act' Would Provide Federal Support for Free Transit Programs
New legislation by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) would also target fare enforcement on the nation's transit systems.
How Transit Agencies Are Approaching Fare Evasion
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Will Snohomish County Light Rail Bypass the Airport?
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The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.
Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?
A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.
Richmond Repeals Parking Minimums, Encourages Off-Street Parking and Transit
The Virginia city is replete with underused off-street parking lots, which city councilors hope to make available for parking at more times while encouraging transit use.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
