Sacramento transit agency to hire 30 fare inspectors

As part of an agreement with its labor union, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) will create a new job classification to address fare evasion, the agency announced Wednesday.

Under a pact with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local Division 256, SacRT plans to hire 30 new transit agents to conduct fare enforcement on its light-rail system, agency officials said in a press release.

Hiring the fare checkers is expected to increase fare compliance and reduce nuisance behavior, SacRT officials added.

On March 14, the agency will present the hiring proposal to its board for approval.

Meanwhile, the agency yesterday reiterated its proposal to raise fares by 20 percent to help cover financial losses, The Sacramento Bee reported. SacRT on Monday will bring this proposal before its board for consideration, the newspaper reported.