(The Center Square) – Seattle’s historic monorail will potentially see fares increase up to $4 at the start of 2025.
The proposed fare increases include one-way adult fares jumping from $3.50 to $4; fares for youth up to 18 years old increasing from $1.75 to $2, and reduced rates for seniors over 65 years old, active military personnel and Medicare card holders increasing from $1.75 to $2.
Frequent users of the monorail could purchase an adult monthly pass for $80, which is a $10 increase from the current $70 monthly pass.
According to a news release from the Seattle Center, the fare increase is part of the city’s contract with the private operator of the monorail, Seattle Monorail Services. The fare increase schedule is intended to help “keep up with rising costs” and a “shared commitment to preserving this historic system.”
Users of the monorail would pay up to $4 for a three-minute train ride that spans approximately one mile. The Seattle Center Monorail travels directly between Seattle Center and Westlake Center. The monorail was the first full-scale commercial monorail system in the U.S. when it was built for the 1962 World’s Fair.
The Seattle Center touts that the monorail is an example of a true public-private partnership. Taxpayers do not pay for the monorail’s operating costs. Instead, the Seattle Monorail Services covers operating costs through ticket sales.
The partnership allows generated revenue to return to the city.
“The city’s share of the net operating income is used to help underwrite public programming and administrative costs at Seattle Center,” the Seattle Center stated. “Additionally, a portion of Seattle Center Monorail farebox revenue is used to help cover equipment upgrades and construction costs.”
Last year, the monorail experienced a record-breaking year with 2.1 million riders. That surpassed pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.