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Commission directs continued analysis of 50% low‑income toll discount for Puget Sound gateway expressways
Summary
The Commission instructed staff to continue financial and operational analysis assuming a 50% discount for travelers at or below 200% of the federal poverty level on the SR‑509 and SR‑167 gateway expressways, and delegated final tolling report approval to the chair and vice chair. The motion passed 6–1.
The Washington State Transportation Commission voted to continue analysis of a systemwide low‑income toll discount using assumptions that WSDOT and Commission staff proposed: a 50% toll discount for eligible households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, initially applied to the Puget Sound Gateway expressways (SR‑509 and SR‑167). The motion to continue the analysis passed 6–1, with Commissioner Nicole Grant recorded as opposed.
Commission staff (Carl Steed and Jennifer Charlebo) presented progress on program design and financial modeling, noting the legislature directed the Commission and WSDOT to develop a systemwide, income‑qualified toll relief program. Staff described prior Commission work (2019–21 studies) that tested a 50% discount and explained operational assumptions under consideration: eligibility at 200% of the federal poverty level, potential free Good To Go passes to reduce enrollment barriers, phased implementation by facility and an intended initial go‑live tied to gateway facility openings in 2026.
Staff emphasized tradeoffs: a discount reduces per‑trip revenue while exemptions can alter driver behavior and diversion more strongly; modeling an exemption is analytically different from modeling a discount. Commissioners asked for more analysis on operational costs, likely enrollment rates, regional equity, and interactions with other agencies (for example, the Oregon Transportation Commission where joint bridge projects are involved). Staff clarified the legislative proviso requires the program start at facilities that begin tolling in fiscal year 2026 or later, and that follow‑on analysis will assess extending the program to existing toll facilities.
Key numerical assumptions discussed on the record included the 50% discount and eligibility at 200% FPL (WSDOT staff noted that equates roughly to $31,000 for a single‑person household and about $64,000 for a family of four). Commissioners asked staff to present modeling results showing potential impacts on existing toll rates and on bond or legal obligations (for facilities with bonding constraints such as some bridges).
The Commission also voted to delegate final approval of the annual tolling report to the chair and vice chair to allow staff to finish edits and submit the report ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Staff said the financial analysis would be presented to the Commission before any final implementation decision and recommended continuing robust public outreach and establishment of an equity advisory panel to guide program design and outreach.
The motion to continue analysis using the 50%/200% FPL assumptions was moved by Commissioner Gail Tarlton and seconded by Vice Chair Jim Restucci. The recorded vote was six ayes and one opposed.
