FARE ENFORCEMENT SOP: FARE INSPECTION TECHNIQUES

1.  PURPOSE:

This directive establishes the Standard Operating Procedure regarding
Fare Inspection Techniques to be used by the Fare Enforcement Division
of King County Metro in the accomplishment of its assigned duties. There
are numerous other SOPs that specifically address other procedures.

2.  SCOPE:

This directive applies to all King County Metro Fare Enforcement
Officers.

3.  DEFINITIONS:

    a.  COACH – Any Rapid Ride vehicle where FEOs have legal authority
        to enforce the Washington State RCWs relating to KC Metro’s Fare
        Payment Policy.

    b.  DAL – Daily Activity Log - Maintained and completed by all FEOs.

    c.  FARE BOX – Payment station located on board coaches.

    d.  FARE MEDIA – Valid fare that is approved by King County Metro
        and presented by passengers.

    e.  FEO – Fare Enforcement Officer

    f.  ORCA CARD – A plastic card imbedded with an electronic chip that
        allows customers to pay fare on buses and trains in the Puget
        Sound region.

    g.  ORCA READER – ORCA card equipment used by customers to tap their
        ORCA cards before boarding (at selected bus stops/shelters) or
        onboard coaches.

    h.  POP – Proof of Payment

    i.  TCC – Transit Control Center

4.  AUTHORITY:

    Fare Inspections are authorized by King County Metro and the Revised
    Code of Washington (RCW).

a.  RCW 7.80.040 – Enforcement Officer defined

b.  RCW 7.80.050 – Notice of Infraction

c.  RCW 7.80.060 – Person Receiving Notice-Identification and Detention.

d.  RCW 35.58.585 – Fare Payment-Fines and Penalties
    Established-Enforcement

e.  RCW 35.58.580 – Fare Payment-Proof of Payment-Civil Infractions

f.  RCW 35.58.590 – Fare Payment-Prosecution for Theft, Trespass, or
    other Charges

5.0 FARE INSPECTION TECHNIQUES:

  a. All patrons are to be greeted courteously and treated with dignity
  and respect.

  b. It is vital that all patrons be treated equally and every passenger
  must be checked for fare on the coach that the FEO is inspecting. Even
  if it is known from previous experience or prior inspections that a
  passenger has a valid pass, the FEO must ask the individual to produce
  it each time so not to give the appearance of favoritism. (See: SOP-TS
  102-01)

  c. Keep track of new passengers boarding and check their fares. If the
  FEO loses track of passengers that they have checked, the FEO team
  must exit the coach at the next stop or discontinue checking fare
  until exiting at a safe and or desirable stop.

d. Consistency is the key to a smooth Fare Inspection Program.

e. If a passenger has either no fare or improper fare, the FEO shall
attempt to identify the person.

  f. If they provide ID, document their information or take a digital
  photo of the ID, this will capture the identification information for
  entry into the warning log or for issuance of a citation.

g.  If the passenger has no ID or refuses to present ID they will be
    removed from the coach per all SOPs.

h.  If the FEO feels that the passenger is not being honest in the
    information they are providing, The FEO will contact the Regional
    Communication Center, via cellular phone, and attempt to verify the
    information the passenger provided.

i.  If the passenger refuses to present ID, the FEO will request police
    assistance in obtaining or verifying the identity of the evader via
    his/her issued King County Radio.

j.  Passengers that claim to have purchased valid fare, but refused to
    accept a transfer from the driver will be escorted back to the
    driver to request the transfer. If they refuse to do so, then they
    are in violation of 35.58.580(b)-Failure to display.

  i. If a passenger has an ORCA card with a monthly/yearly pass but has
  not tapped, they may be left on coach as long as they agree to tap
  their ORCA card upon the FEO’s request, but otherwise handled as not
  providing proof of payment.

  j. Fraudulent, misused, or expired King County Metro documents
  (including King County ORCA) shall be confiscated. Examples of these
  as listed below:

1.  Forged or fraudulent passes or tickets

2.  Expired day passes

3.  Expired tickets (e.g. Trolley Passes, any other KCM Approved media)

4.  Youth or reduced fare tickets used by passengers not eligible

5.  Expired bus transfers being presented as valid fare

6.  U-passes that are expired or used by someone other than the pass
    holder

7.  Use of a picture identification based ORCA card by another person.

8.  Standard blue ORCA cards will not be confiscated. (See SOP-TS
    102-21)

k.  If a passenger without valid fare refuses to cooperate, it is King
    County Metro policy to not physically detain them (see: SOP-TS
    102-22 Use of Force).

l.  If a passenger turns and walks away from the FEO, the FEO will
    disengage.

    a.  If the passenger walks away aboard the coach the FEO will
        discontinue the fare inspection of that coach.

    b.  If the passenger walks away after exiting the coach but prior to
        the inspection of the coach the FEO will not re-board the coach
        to continue their fare inspection.

    c.  All walk always will be annotated in the Daily Fare Inspection
        Log.

6.0 REVIEW:

The KCM Contract Security Coordinator or Delegate will ensure all
Directives, Policies, and Procedures are reviewed at least annually to
ensure compliance with King County Metro Security Division policy.
Directives, Policies, and Procedures will be updated immediately if
division procedure changes or when a facility adds or deletes post
positions or procedures and duties.

7.0 SUPERSESSION: All previous Fare Enforcement Manuals

8.0 EFFECTIVE DATE: 5/22/2017

ISSUING AUTHORITY

___________________

Gail Israelson

KCM Contract Security Coordinator