Public transportation fares — Proof of payment — Civil infractions.
RCW 36.57A.230
in effect(1) Persons traveling on public transportation operated by a public transportation benefit area shall pay the fare established by the public transportation benefit area and shall produce proof of payment in accordance with the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area. Such persons shall produce proof of payment when requested by a person designated to monitor fare payment. The required manner of producing proof of payment specified in the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person using an electronic fare payment card to validate the card by presenting the card to an electronic card reader before or upon entering a public transportation vehicle or a restricted fare paid area. (2) The following constitute civil infractions punishable according to the schedule of fines and penalties established by a public transportation benefit area under RCW 36.57A.235 : (a) Failure to pay the required fare, except when a public transportation benefit area fails to meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section; (b) Failure to produce proof of payment in the manner required by the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area including, but not limited to, the failure to produce a validated fare payment card when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment; and (c) Failure to depart the bus or other mode of public transportation when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment. (3) If fare payment is required before entering a transit vehicle, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(b), or before entering a fare paid area in a transit facility, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(a), signage must be conspicuously posted at the place of boarding or within ten feet of the nearest entrance to a transit facility that clearly indicates: (a) The locations where tickets or fare media may be purchased; and (b) that a person using an electronic fare payment card must present the card to an electronic card reader before entering a transit vehicle or before entering a restricted fare paid area.
(1) Persons traveling on public transportation operated by a public transportation benefit area shall pay the fare established by the public transportation benefit area and shall produce proof of payment in accordance with the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area. Such persons shall produce proof of payment when requested by a person designated to monitor fare payment. The required manner of producing proof of payment specified in the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person using an electronic fare payment card to validate the card by presenting the card to an electronic card reader before or upon entering a public transportation vehicle or a restricted fare paid area.
(2) The following constitute civil infractions punishable according to the schedule of fines and penalties established by a public transportation benefit area under RCW 36.57A.235 :
(a) Failure to pay the required fare, except when a public transportation benefit area fails to meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section;
(b) Failure to produce proof of payment in the manner required by the terms of use established by the public transportation benefit area including, but not limited to, the failure to produce a validated fare payment card when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment; and
(c) Failure to depart the bus or other mode of public transportation when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment.
(3) If fare payment is required before entering a transit vehicle, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(b), or before entering a fare paid area in a transit facility, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(a), signage must be conspicuously posted at the place of boarding or within ten feet of the nearest entrance to a transit facility that clearly indicates: (a) The locations where tickets or fare media may be purchased; and (b) that a person using an electronic fare payment card must present the card to an electronic card reader before entering a transit vehicle or before entering a restricted fare paid area.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.57A&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026