Link Transit

Link Transit will continue to offer free ridership.

The transit system waived its fares March 20, 2020, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, then began a one-year, zero-fare pilot program last July.

On Tuesday, the Link board of directors voted to continue allowing passengers to ride for free.

In a press release, Link said their service was established in 1991 as zero-fare service and only began charging riders in 2000.

That came after the 1999 voter passage of Initiative 695, which instituted a $30 vehicle license tab in the state, replacing a motor vehicle excise tax, which Link said eliminated 45 percent of its revenue.

Link said fares accounted for only 4.7 percent of its operating cost in 2019.

The onset of the pandemic sent regional ridership plummeting, but most of that has bounced back, Link said.

May ridership was reported at 96 percent of pre-COVID levels.