Public Records Request
According to the Public Records ActAssociation for Commuter Transportation More of 1972, most records maintained by state, county, and city governments are made available to the public.
Submit a Public Records Request
To request public records, click here.
Public Records Officer
Ben Franklin Transit
1000 Columbia Park Trail
Richland, WA 99352
T: 509.734.5218
Questions: publicrecords@bft.org
Fees for Providing Public Records
BFT utilizes the statutory fee schedule outlined in RCW 42.56.120[1], as provided below.
| Inspection of BFT records can be conducted on the public internet website or scheduled at the BFT administrative office | No charge |
| Records uploaded to email, a cloud-based data storage service, or other means of electronic delivery | No charge |
| Paper copies (photocopies or printing electronic records) | $0.15 per page (standard single sided 8 ½” x 11” black and white sheet) |
| Scanned records (converting a record from a paper copy to an electronic format) | $0.10 per page |
| Records uploaded to email, or cloud-based data storage service, or other means of electronic delivery | $0.05 per four (4) electronic files or attachments |
| Records transmitted in electronic format or for use of agency equipment to send records electronically | $0.10 per gigabyte for transmission of records in an electronic format |
| Digital storage media device (USB/Flash Drive, DVD, CD) for videos or large documents | $5.00 to $10.00 depending on gigabyte size needed. |
| Label, case, and or sleeve for CD/DVD | $1.00 to $3.00 |
| Postage or delivery charges | Actual cost |
| If materials need to be copied by an outside source, the requestor pays the actual amount invoiced to BFT by the vendor. | Actual cost |
The production of records does not include the actual cost of the digital storage media device, the envelope, or postage. Data compilations prepared as a customized service will incur an additional cost beyond the fees above. RCW 42.56.120 (3)(a)(i).
If a requestor fails to fulfill their obligations to inspect the records, pay the deposit, pay the required fees for an installment, or make the final payment for the requested copies, the request may be administratively closed after 30 days. WAC 44-14-040(12)[2].
[1] RCW 42.56.120: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.56.120
[2] WAC 44-14-040: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=44-14-040
NOTE: You will be contacted when the files or copies you requested are available. Ben Franklin Transit may need up to five business days to complete your request or to provide a date by which the records will be available.