LYNX Blue Line - Fares

Fares

Tickets are purchased on the platform of all stations from self-serve ticket vending machines that accept cash, coins, debit, and credit cards. Transfers from buses, weekly and monthly passes are also accepted. Fares, which are equal to those of the existing bus network, are $2 for a one-way trip, $4 for a round-trip ticket, $6 for a one-day pass with unlimited rides, $20 for a weekly pass, and $80 for a monthly pass.

LYNX's fare system is organized on the proof-of-payment system as there are no turnstiles at the entrances to train platforms. Instead, fares are enforced by random sweeps through trains and occasional checks for fares as passengers enter and leave the train by CATS Fare Inspectors. If a passenger is caught without evidence of proper fare, a citation of $50 is issued in addition to potentially facing a Class 3 misdemeanor charge. CATS estimates between 4 and 5 percent of total fare revenue is lost from passengers who ride without paying.

Following an initial "grace period" between its November 2007 opening and February 2008, CATS took more action with regards to issuing citations for fare jumpers. This was the case as many of the ticket vending machines were not working properly at all stations. As part of LYNX's initial "fare enforcement blitz" during the first week of February 2008, 41 citations were issued with one arrest in the first day of enhanced enforcement. Due to its success, CATS officials announced that future "blitzes" would target individual stations and not be publicized. As of June 2010, CATS estimates 0.5 percent of daily riders are fare jumpers at a daily loss of $300 in revenue.