Safety and security
Learn more on how Sound Transit works to keep you safe and where to report issues when they arise.

Sound Transit personnel and security staff

When riding Link and Sounder trains, you will see a variety of Sound Transit staff. Each member is focused on supplementing our high-quality transit service. The Sound Transit Police, Transit Security, and Station Agents are in-person station staff. Landmark Staff and ST Staff Ambassadors are supplemental staff during events and service disruptions, respectively. Fare Ambassadors are regularly found on trains, reviewing and educating on fares. 

Read on to learn more about each position, their duties and uniforms. 

 

Photo of a fare ambassador using a handheld device to verify fare payment

Fare Ambassadors

Fare Ambassadors are the in-person members of Sound Transit’s fare compliance team. Clothed in a yellow hat, blue vest and carrying a bag, they are on board Link and Sounder trains to inspect and educate riders about fares. Fare ambassadors are also great resources for general Sound Transit rider information. 

Duties: 

  • Check if riders have paid their fare 

  • Educate passengers on Link and Sounder trains about fares 

  • Answers general Sound Transit rider questions 

Uniform

  • Yellow hat 

  • Blue vest 

  • Sling bag 

 

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Transit Security

Transit security officers contract with Sound Transit and are available at the stations and platforms for safety concerns and to answer questions about service, schedules or fares. Transit security officers wear uniforms with dark green tops. 

Duties: 

  • Create a safe environment for riders 

  • Monitor car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic 

  • Transit security officers answer questions about service, schedules and fares.

Uniform: 

  • Transit security officers wear uniforms with dark green tops. 

 

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Sound Transit police

Sound Transit police are a unit of the King County Sheriff's Office. Uniformed officers routinely patrol Link trains and stations to create a safe environment. Officers also watch car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Sound Transit police are King County Sheriff officers, and their uniforms say, "Sound Transit Police." 

Duties: 

  • Create a safe environment for riders 
  • Monitor car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic 

Uniform: 

  • Sound Transit police wear standard King County Sheriff officer uniforms, with “Sound Transit Police” on them

 

Photo of a station agent in a yellow vest with the words "Station Agent" printed on it

Station Agents

Station Agents are at all Sounder Commuter Rail Stations and the SeaTac/Airport Station. They help passengers by providing information about Sound Transit services, fares
and connections near their station. The Station Agents wear blue pants, blue shirt and a yellow jacket or vest with Station Agent across the back. 

Duties

  • Provide passengers with information on Sound Transit services, fares and connections near their station 

  • Report maintenance issues 

  • Help passengers with disabilities get on transit 

Uniform

  • Blue pants and blue shirt  

  • Yellow jacket/vest with ‘Station Agent’ across the back. 

 

Photo of Sound Transit Ambassadors at a link light rail station

ST Staff Ambassadors

In some cases, Sound Transit uses employee volunteers to help riders during service disruptions. Wearing teal vests with neon yellow stripes, with the Sound Transit logo and "Ambassador" on the back, the internal staff members also educate riders on the basic of riding the rail and encourage safe behavior around buses and trains. Also, they’re responsible for reporting serious concerns to the correct officials, like the police. 

Duties: 

  • Educate riders on basics of riding Link and Sounder lines 

  • Encourage safe behavior around buses and trains 

  • Report serious concerns to officials 

Uniform: 

  • Teal vest with neon yellow stripes with the Sound Transit
    logo and "Ambassador" on the back 

 

Photo of a landmark staff member providing directional wayfinding

Landmark Ambassador

Sound Transit hires Landmark Staff to aid during special events and planned service interruptions. While they have limited transit knowledge, they can help passengers transferring between trains and buses and aid passengers using ticket vending machines. They wear a yellow jacket or shirt with their Landmark logo printed on it.   

Landmark Staff Duties

  • Aid during special events and planned service interruptions 

  • Help passengers transferring between trains and buses 

  • Aid in using ticket vending machines 

Uniform

  • Yellow jacket or shirt, with Landmark logo on it