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Fare Violation - Fares & ORCA Passes

Fare Violation

How to resolve your fare violation

If you’ve received a Notice of Violation from King County Metro Fare Enforcement for not paying your fare, you must resolve your violation within 90 days of your violation date. Choose one of the options below and complete the instructions within 90 days. For questions or assistance, call 206-263-FARE.

Options within 90 days

You may be eligible to receive a reduced penalty and avoid being placed on a rider suspension list by resolving your violation directly with King County Metro.

  • You have up to 90 days to complete a resolution option.
  • The fine is reduced from $50 to $25 if paid within 30 days.
  • Appeals must be requested within 45 days.

See the option details

What happens after 90 days

After 90 days, you are at risk of being expelled from Metro service for at least 12 hours. If the violation goes unresolved for 90 days or more, your name will be added to a list of “Pending Expulsions” for one year, or until resolved. During that time, if a Fare Enforcement officer determines upon inspection that you are riding Metro without an acceptable proof of fare payment, you will be issued a 12-hour expulsion from King County Metro services. A single 12-hour expulsion is applied to a single fare violation issued, therefore if you have been issued multiple violations, this could result in multiple expulsions for violations not resolved within 90 days of the date issued. Riding a Metro bus during an expulsion period may result in criminal trespass charges, administered by Metro Transit Police or local law enforcement. At the end of a completed 12-hour expulsion, the violation will be closed.

If you have a violation and 90 days have passed, please call us at 206-263-FARE [3273]. Alternative resolution options may be available for extenuating circumstances or demonstrated need.

Option details

Contact info and hours

If you have additional questions or need to discuss alternative options to resolve your fare violation, please contact us Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

  • Phone: 206-263-FARE [3273]
  • WA Relay: 711

For in-person assistance, visit the Fare Violation Program team at Metro's ORCA LIFT Office:


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