Editing Sound Transit (section)

==Organization==

===Management===

The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority is a [[municipal corporation|public corporation]] and [[special-purpose district]] that operates under the name Sound Transit.<ref name="ST-Subarea">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Schedule of Sources and Uses of Funds by Subarea Year Ending December 31, 2022 |pages=4–5, 8–10 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2022-subarea-report.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> It was established under the authority of the Washington State Legislature and is governed by [[Revised Code of Washington]] chapters 81.104 and 81.112.<ref name="TDP2024"/><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Sound Transit Resolution No. R2023-04 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/2023/Resolution%20R2023-04.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 20, 2024}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, the agency has 1,585 full-time employees and is led by a [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) who oversees several departments.<ref name="Budget2024"/><ref name="TDP2024"/> Since April 2025, the CEO of Sound Transit has been [[Dow Constantine]], who had resigned as [[King County Executive]] to take the position.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=March 27, 2025 |title=Sound Transit board unites around Dow Constantine in CEO vote |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-board-unites-around-dow-constantine-in-ceo-vote/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> He is the sixth permanent CEO in the agency's history and the first full-time appointment to the position since the resignation of Julie Timm in January 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Former Bellevue transportation director named interim Sound Transit CEO |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/former-bellevue-transportation-director-named-interim-sound-transit-ceo/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 19, 2024}}</ref>

The agency has three oversight committees that are filled by citizens from the Sound Transit district. The Citizen Oversight Panel oversees compliance with board policies and financial plans, and is composed of 15 members serving four-year terms after their appointment by the board of directors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citizen Oversight Panel |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/panels-committees/citizen-oversight-panel |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101062141/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/panels-committees/citizen-oversight-panel |url-status=live}}</ref> The Diversity Oversight Committee promotes employment and contracting opportunities for underprivileged groups and includes members representing community organizations and business organizations.<ref>{{cite press release |date=March 9, 2017 |title=Sound Transit exceeds goals for disadvantaged business participation, workforce diversity |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-exceeds-goals-disadvantaged-business |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101062144/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-exceeds-goals-disadvantaged-business |url-status=live}}</ref> The Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee has 15 members who represent passengers with disabilities, mobility issues, or are senior citizens. The advisory committee monitors the agency's compliance with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] and other accessibility requirements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citizens Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC) |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/panels-committees/citizens-accessibility-advisory-committee |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101062147/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/panels-committees/citizens-accessibility-advisory-committee |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Board of directors===
[[File:Ruth Fisher Board Room (Sound Transit) at Union Station - Nov 2024.jpg|thumb|right|The Ruth Fisher Board Room at [[Union Station (Sound Transit)|Union Station]]]]

Sound Transit is governed by a [[board of director]]s with 18 members who are appointed based on their positions in regional and local governments.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Board's role |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/board-directors |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228024450/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/board-directors |url-status=live}}</ref> One seat is held by the [[Washington State Department of Transportation|Washington State Secretary of Transportation]], while the remaining seventeen are local elected positions appointed by the [[county executive]]s of [[King County, Washington|King]], [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce]], and [[Snohomish, Washington|Snohomish]] counties, with approval of the respective county councils.<ref name="Times-ElectBoard">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=November 17, 2016 |title=State senator calls for direct elections of Sound Transit board member |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/state-senator-calls-for-direct-elections-of-transit-board-members/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229064028/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/state-senator-calls-for-direct-elections-of-transit-board-members/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The only fixed positions among these appointments are the county executives themselves and representatives from the largest city in each of the three counties; other positions are filled by representatives from other cities or unincorporated areas.<ref name="WSDOT-Summary2023">{{WSDOT Public Transit Summary |year=2023 |pages=12, 222 |accessdate=December 21, 2024}}</ref> Major decisions, including annexations, system plans, and the annual budget, require a two-thirds majority of boardmembers.<ref name="RCW-81.112.040">{{cite web |year=1994 |title=RCW 81.112.040: Board appointments—Voting—Expenses. |url=https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=81.112.040 |work=[[Revised Code of Washington]] |publisher=Washington State Legislature |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807102541/https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=81.112.040 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The board has ten members from King County, four from Pierce County, and three from Snohomish County.<ref name="Board"/> The seats were allocated proportional to their population within the Sound Transit district in 1994, with each seat representing approximately 145,000 people at the time.<ref name="RCW-81.112.040"/> Sound Transit is authorized to expand its board to up to 25 members and adjust the allocation between the counties based on the results of the [[United States census|decennial census]].<ref name="Lundin">{{cite book |last=Lundin |first=Steve |year=2015 |title=The Closest Governments to the People: A Complete Reference Guide to Local Government in Washington State |edition=2nd |pages=571–575 |publisher=[[Municipal Research and Services Center]] |location=Seattle |oclc=959745725 |url=https://mrsc.org/getmedia/1c25ae05-968c-4edd-8039-af0cf958baa7/closest-governments-to-the-people.pdf.aspx |accessdate=January 23, 2025}}</ref> A bill to require board seats to be directly elected from within 11 districts was passed by the [[Washington State Senate]] in 2017 but was not considered by the House Transportation Committee.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gutman |first=David |date=March 4, 2017 |title=Sound Transit board ouster unlikely, but car-tax change has support |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-board-ouster-unlikely-but-car-tax-change-has-support/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 15, 2024}}</ref> In 2019, Sound Transit added a non-voting seat for a labor liaison that is recommended by labor organizations and appointed to a four-year term.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 21, 2024 |title=Sound Transit Motion No. M2024-76 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/2024/Motion%20M2024-76.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=January 23, 2025}}</ref>

The agency's policies are set by the board through their decisions, including maintenance of the long-range plan, budget, and project details. The full board meets at the Ruth Fisher Board Room in Union Station on the fourth Thursday of the month; their meetings are open to the public and streamed online.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board meetings |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/board-directors/board-meetings |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229065256/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/board-directors/board-meetings |url-status=live}}</ref> The board selects a chair and two vice chairs to serve two-year terms and also assign members to four committees: the Executive Committee, Rider Experience and Operations, System Expansion, and Finance and Audit.<ref>{{cite press release |date=December 20, 2018 |title=Redmond Mayor John Marchione appointed chair of Sound Transit Board |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/redmond-mayor-john-marchione-appointed-chair-sound-transit |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229064431/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/redmond-mayor-john-marchione-appointed-chair-sound-transit |url-status=live}}</ref> In the event that the chair or vice chairs leave office or are otherwise unable to serve their full term, the vacancy can be filled by another member for the remainder of the term.<ref>{{cite press release |date=December 19, 2019 |title=University Place Mayor Kent Keel appointed chair of Sound Transit Board |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/university-place-mayor-kent-keel-appointed-chair-sound |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229064432/https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/university-place-mayor-kent-keel-appointed-chair-sound |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sound Transit Board members, as of 2025<ref name="Board">{{cite web |date=April 2025 |title=Board Members |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/board-directors/board-members |publisher=Sound Transit |access-date=April 1, 2025}}</ref>
|-
!Member
!Position
!County
|-
|[[Dave Somers]] (Chair)
|[[Snohomish County Executive]]
|Snohomish
|-
|[[Claudia Balducci]] (Vice Chair)
|Councilmember, King County
|King
|-
|[[Ryan Mello]] (Vice Chair)
|[[Pierce County Executive]]
|Pierce
|-
|Nancy Backus
|Mayor, [[Auburn, Washington|City of Auburn]]
|King/Pierce
|-
|Angela Birney
|Mayor, [[Redmond, Washington|City of Redmond]]
|King
|-
|[[Shannon Braddock]]
|[[King County Executive]]
|King
|-
|Cassie Franklin
|Mayor, [[Everett, Washington|City of Everett]]
|Snohomish
|-
|Christine Frizzell
|Mayor, [[Lynnwood, Washington|City of Lynnwood]]
|Snohomish
|-
|Hunter T. George
|Councilmember, [[Fircrest, Washington|City of Fircrest]]
|Pierce
|-
|[[Bruce Harrell]]
|Mayor, [[Seattle|City of Seattle]]
|King
|-
|Julie Meredith
|[[Washington Secretary of Transportation]]
|{{sort dash}}
|-
|Ed Prince
|Councilmember, [[Renton, Washington|City of Renton]]
|King
|-
|[[De'Sean Quinn]]
|Councilmember, King County
|King
|-
|Kim Roscoe
|Mayor, [[Fife, Washington|City of Fife]]
|Pierce
|-
|[[Dan Strauss]]
|Councilmember, City of Seattle
|King
|-
|[[Pete von Reichbauer|Peter von Reichbauer]]
|Councilmember, King County
|King
|-
|Kristina Walker
|Councilmember, [[Tacoma, Washington|City of Tacoma]]
|Pierce
|-
|[[Girmay Zahilay]]
|Councilmember, King County
|King
|-
|Lisa Bogardus
|Labor Liaison (non-voting)
|{{sort dash}}
|}

===District and subareas===
[[File:Sound Transit subareas map.svg|thumb|right|A map of the five subareas within the Sound Transit district|alt=A map of the Seattle metropolitan area with the Sound Transit district divided into five subareas. Major cities are also labeled.]]

The [[Transit district|regional transit district]] for Sound Transit, also known as the "RTA district", encompasses major cities and urban areas in portions of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. It covers {{convert|1,089|sqmi|sqkm}}<ref name="FTA-Profile">{{cite web |title=2023 Annual Agency Profile – Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2023/00040.pdf |work=National Transit Database |publisher=Federal Transit Administration |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> and includes 53 cities with a combined population of 3.39{{nbsp}}million residents—40{{nbsp}}percent of the state's population.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 8, 2016 |title=Q: What is the Sound Transit District? |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/q-what-sound-transit-district |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="OFM-Population">{{cite web |date=September 15, 2023 |title=2023 Q4 Regional Tax Authority Population Estimates |url=https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/dataresearch/pop/special/rta.pdf |publisher=[[Washington State Office of Financial Management]] |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130202146/https://ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/dataresearch/pop/special/rta.pdf |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, the district includes approximately 89{{nbsp}}percent of King County residents, 85{{nbsp}}percent of Pierce County residents, and 59{{nbsp}}percent of Snohomish County residents.<ref name="ST-CFR">{{cite web |date=July 31, 2024 |title=2023 Sound Transit Comprehensive Financial Report |pages=8–9, 12–14 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/ACFR-2023.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref>

The district's boundary to the west is [[Puget Sound]] from [[DuPont, Washington|DuPont]] and the [[Thurston County, Washington|Thurston County]] line in the south to [[Everett, Washington|Everett]] and the [[Snohomish River]] to the north. The eastern boundary generally follows the edge of the contiguous suburbs in the three-county region.<ref>{{cite map |date=February 2019 |title=Sound Transit District |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/fly_sound-transit-district.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> It excludes several large suburban cities, such as [[Marysville, Washington|Marysville]] in Snohomish County and [[Covington, Washington|Covington]] and [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]] in southern King County.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sheets |first=Bill |date=December 5, 2008 |title=Thousands taxed who didn't owe |pages=A1, A14 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-thousands-taxed-who-did/160879229/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The district is mandated by state law to include the highest-population [[urban growth area]]s in the three counties and must be adjusted to include all of a member city, including [[annexation|annexed]] areas. New areas can be annexed to the RTA district through a [[ballot proposition]] following approval from Sound Transit and consultation with affected transit agencies and governments.<ref>{{cite web |year=2015 |title=RCW 81.112.050: Area included—Elections. |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=81.112.050 |work=Revised Code of Washington |publisher=Washington State Legislature |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref>

For funding purposes, the Sound Transit district is divided into five subareas: Snohomish, North King, South King, East King, and Pierce.<ref name="ST-CFR"/> Revenue from taxes are allocated towards projects that serve and benefit residents within the subarea that they were collected in, with costs shared for projects and services that serve multiple areas. Systemwide projects and programs pool their funds from all subareas.<ref name="ST-Subarea"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=June 13, 2016 |title=Suburbs should help pay for second Seattle light-rail tunnel, Sound Transit CEO says |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-ceo-suburbs-should-help-pay-for-second-seattle-light-rail-tunnel/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The most-populous subarea is North King, which has an estimated 853,980 residents ({{as of|2023|lc=y}}) and encompasses Seattle, [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]], and [[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]]; the smallest is South King, which has an estimated 487,685 residents ({{as of|2023|lc=y}}).<ref name="ST-CFR"/>

===Funding===

Sound Transit's budget is primarily funded through local taxes levied within the regional transit district in the urbanized portions of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. These taxes, which comprise 63{{nbsp}}percent of the total 2017–2046 budget, are composed of a 1.4{{nbsp}}percent [[sales tax]], a 0.8{{nbsp}}percent [[motor vehicle excise tax]], a 0.8{{nbsp}}percent [[rental car]] tax, and a [[property tax]] of up to 25{{nbsp}}cents per $1,000 in assessed value.<ref name="Budget2024">{{cite web |date=December 2023 |title=2024 Financial Plan & Adopted Budget |pages=2–9, 19–20, 59 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-financial-plan-adopted-budget.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=August 16, 2024}}</ref> The property tax rate is variable and can increase at a rate of up to 1{{nbsp}}percent annually with approval from the agency's board of directors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=January 6, 2025 |title=There's a small property tax boost for Sound Transit in 2025 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/theres-a-small-property-tax-boost-for-sound-transit-in-2025/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=January 6, 2025}}</ref> The remaining 37{{nbsp}}percent includes grants and bonds from the federal government, loans, interests, and passenger fares.<ref name="Budget2024"/> In 2023, Sound Transit accounted for 57.7{{nbsp}}percent of all local tax revenue collected by transit agencies in Washington state.<ref name="WSDOT-Summary2023"/> That year, the agency earned $51.9{{nbsp}}million from passenger fares—of which 62 percent was from Link light rail. The [[farebox recovery ratio]] for Link was 16{{nbsp}}percent in 2023, followed by 10{{nbsp}}percent for Sound Transit Express and 8{{nbsp}}percent for Sounder.<ref name="FareReport"/>

The agency has had three major [[referendum|ballot measure]]s that were approved by voters to fund system expansion: [[Sound Move]] (1996), [[Sound Transit 2]] (2008), and [[Sound Transit 3]] (2016). Planning and construction of new transit projects is anticipated to continue until 2046 under the Sound Transit 3 plan and are forecast to cost $148{{nbsp}}billion in year-of-expenditure dollars.<ref name="Times-Megaproject2024"/> Under a provision of the [[Constitution of Washington|state constitution]], Sound Transit is limited to issuing debt that does not exceed 1.5{{nbsp}}percent of the assessed land value within the district;<ref name="Times-Shortfall"/><ref>{{cite web |date=October 2024 |title=2024 Annual Program Review Report |pages=8–10 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/BAPR-annual-program-review-2024.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 27, 2024}}</ref> the final [[bond (finance)|bond]] payments under the program are scheduled for 2068.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=October 1, 2016 |title=Sound Transit 3 taxes: How much you'd pay and for how long |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/breaking-down-the-54-billion-sound-transit-3-initiative/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 24, 2024}}</ref> Approximately 51{{nbsp}}percent of the long-range budget is allocated towards capital construction, while operations and maintenance comprise up 27{{nbsp}}percent.<ref name="Budget2024"/> The 2024 budget has $3.1{{nbsp}}billion in expenses and $2.9{{nbsp}}billion in expected revenue; it includes $638{{nbsp}}million for operations and $2.2{{nbsp}}billion for capital projects.<ref name="Budget2024"/>

===Policing and security===
[[File:Sound Transit Police.jpg|thumbnail|right|A [[King County Sheriff's Office]] [[patrol car]] in Sound Transit Police livery]]

Sound Transit contracts with the [[King County Sheriff's Office]] for policing services, which includes patrolling transit facilities, monitoring traffic, and responding to emergency incidents.<ref name="ST-Security">{{cite web |title=Sound Transit personnel and security staff |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/safety-security/sound-transit-personnel-security-staff |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The transit police unit of the Sheriff's Office was created in 2008 to prepare for the launch of light rail service in Seattle.<ref name="Times-Security2009">{{cite news |last=Green |first=Sara Jean |date=July 15, 2009 |title=Sound Transit pumps up light-rail security with lights, cameras, officers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/sound-transit-pumps-up-light-rail-security-with-lights-cameras-officers/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, the transit police has 65 officers out of 89 total positions.<ref name="Times-Security2023">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=October 6, 2023 |title=What are Seattle-area transit agencies doing to protect riders? |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/what-are-seattle-area-transit-agencies-doing-to-protect-riders/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="ST-Security2024">{{cite news |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Addressing your Link security concerns |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/addressing-your-link-security-concerns |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> These positions are overseen by a [[police chief|chief]] and include an operation captain, patrol sergeants, officers, detectives, a [[crime analyst]], and a explosive detection specialist with a [[police dog]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 7, 2013 |title=Sound Transit Operations and Administration Committee Meeting: Summary Minutes – March 7, 2013 |page=4 |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/2013/130307%20Operations%20Minutes.pdf |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Metzger |first=Katie |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Meet K-9 Luna, Sound Transit's cutest employee |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/meet-k-9-luna-sound-transits-cutest-employee |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> These deputies wear Sound Transit uniforms and drive [[police car|patrol car]]s marked with the agency's logo;<ref name="Times-Security2009"/> a [[police bicycle|bicycling]] unit with seven members was created in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Sound Transit Police bike unit boosts system safety with increased visibility and flexibility |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/sound-transit-police-bike-unit-boosts-system-safety-with-increased-visibility |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref>

In addition to armed officers, Sound Transit has 550 uniformed [[security guard|security officers]] who are contracted from four private firms.<ref name="Times-Security2023"/><ref name="Times-Beginners">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Light rail for beginners: How to ride the new Lynnwood extension |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/light-rail-for-beginners-how-to-ride-the-new-lynnwood-extension/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The unarmed security officers patrol transit facilities and respond to incidents from a central dispatch center, but are not allowed to intervene in assaults.<ref name="ST-Security2024"/><ref name="Times-Beginners"/> Sound Transit maintains a 24/7 [[Emergency text messaging services|emergency text message]] line and trains are equipped with emergency [[intercom]] systems.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Something fishy on your ride? Text us ASAP! |url=https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/something-fishy-your-ride-text-us-asap |work=The Platform |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=March 3, 2025}}</ref> Over 700 [[closed-circuit television]] cameras onboard vehicles and at transit facilities are monitored from the agency's headquarters in Seattle.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Steve |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Sound Transit to improve safety with central monitoring of nearly 700 cameras |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/sound-transit-to-improve-safety-with-central-monitoring-of-nearly-700-cameras/ |work=Kent Reporter |accessdate=March 3, 2025}}</ref>

The private security officers also conducted [[fare evasion|fare enforcement]] on Link light rail and Sounder commuter trains, which included a [[traffic ticket|citation]] with a $124 fine for non-paying passengers, until the program was suspended in 2020 due to accusations of discrimination.<ref name="Times-Fares2022">{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Sound Transit goes all-in on a gentler kind of fare enforcement |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-goes-all-in-on-a-gentler-kind-of-fare-enforcement/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> They were replaced in 2023 by fare ambassadors who conduct checks of all riders and issue warnings in lieu of citations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kroman |first=David |date=November 27, 2023 |title=Sound Transit fare ambassadors are checking if you paid, but nicely |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-fare-ambassadors-are-checking-if-you-paid-but-nicely/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> In the first months of the new program, 48,000 warnings were issued and the fare compliance rate had risen from an estimated 55{{nbsp}}percent in 2023 to 84{{nbsp}}percent in May 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Sound Transit light rail fare inspection to expand in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sound-transit-light-rail-fare-inspection-to-expand-in-seattle/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Other uniformed staff include [[station master|station agent]]s at Sounder commuter rail stations, who provide customer service and assist passengers with disabilities; staff ambassadors for rider education and reporting; and event staff who provide customer service during special events and planned service disruptions.<ref name="ST-Security"/>