On July 21, 2026 the Transportation Commission approved a low income toll discount program for the SR 509 Expressway and SR 167 Expressway.
Background
The Commission has been assessing the development of a low income toll discount program since 2019, when the Legislature directed a study to look at options for a low income toll program on the I-405 and SR 167 Express Toll Lanes (ETLs). Based upon the study findings, the Commission recommended a system-wide low income toll program be implemented on tolled facilities.
In 2025, the Legislature directed the Commission to move forward with designing and implementing a system-wide low income toll program, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, beginning with the SR 509 and SR 167 Expressways.
Low Income Toll Discount Program
The Commission has approved a low income toll discount for the SR 509 and SR 167 Expressways, as follows:
- 50% off the applicable Good To Go! pass toll rate for two-axle vehicles.
- To be eligible, customers would need a household income of no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
The low income toll discount is anticipated to start in December 2026. Customers must enroll in the program through WSDOT to receive the discount. WSDOT will begin engagement and enrollment for the program this fall.
What are the Next Steps?
- Fall 2026: WSDOT program engagement and enrollment for the program.
- December 2026: The low income toll discount program is implemented on the SR 167 and SR 509 Expressways.
- 2027 and beyond: Monitor and assess program performance.
Federal Poverty Level
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is commonly used to determine eligibility for governmental benefit programs like Medicaid. These federal guidelines are issued annually and set the income limits for many need-based programs, helping determine who qualifies for assistance. The guidelines are adjusted for inflation each year and vary by household size.
200% of the 2026 FPL is shown in the table below.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $111,440 |