Fare payment — Proof of payment — Civil infractions, violations punishable according to an alternative fare enforcement system.
RCW 81.112.220
in effect(1) Persons traveling on facilities operated by an authority shall pay the fare established by the authority and shall produce proof of payment in accordance with the terms of use established by the authority. 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 authority 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 the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(a) or violations punishable according to an alternative fare enforcement system established by the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(b): (a) Failure to pay the required fare, except when the authority 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 authority 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 facility 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 10 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 facilities operated by an authority shall pay the fare established by the authority and shall produce proof of payment in accordance with the terms of use established by the authority. 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 authority 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 the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(a) or violations punishable according to an alternative fare enforcement system established by the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(b):
(a) Failure to pay the required fare, except when the authority 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 authority 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 facility 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 10 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=81.112&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026