Proposal:

Why we are proposing this: Many riders told us they would prefer a fare increase if it meant fewer cuts to service. In addition, many said they want a simpler system without zones. We are proposing a fare increase, but implemented as part of a shift to a simpler "flat fare" system, where all rides cost the same no matter where you are traveling. Many transit agencies have adopted a flat fare because it is simpler to understand, easier to use and more consistent for both riders and operators, and because it reflects how riders use the system. Changing to a flat fare would also help prepare us for electronic fare collection in the future.

What this means for riders: Fares would increase for most riders (except Honored Citizens) and you would pay the same fare regardless of your destination. There would no longer be fare zones, so the system would be much simpler and easier to use. In this proposal, an Adult single fare costs $2.50, Youth $1.65 and Honored Citizen $1. These changes would take effect September 1, 2012.

	2-Hour Ticket	1-Day Pass	1-Month Pass
Adult	$2.50	$5	$100
Youth	$1.65	$3.30	$30
Honored Citizen	$1	$2	$26

This table shows how tickets and passes would be priced, under the planned fare increase and a "flat fare" system. Note that the price of an Adult all-day pass would not change. The price of an Honored Citizen ticket would not change, and the price of Honored Citizen and Youth all-day passes would actually decrease.

 

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Proposal:

Why we are proposing this: Our region has changed dramatically since "Fareless Square" (free service on buses) was first introduced in Downtown Portland back in 1975. We no longer have the air quality issues that prompted the creation of the free-fare zone, and our transit system has expanded significantly. Service has improved in the suburbs, where communities of color and low-income populations have become more concentrated. While free transit has become a hallmark of Portland's tourist-friendly city center, TriMet aims to provide equitable service throughout the region and the Free Rail Zone is a benefit exclusive to Downtown Portland and the Lloyd District.

What this means for riders: You would have to pay your regular fare to ride MAX Light Rail in Downtown Portland, the Rose Quarter and the Lloyd District. This change would take effect September 1, 2012.

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Proposal:

Why we are proposing this: There is potential to generate revenue by placing advertising messages on certain high-traffic trimet.org and m.trimet.org pages, such as schedules, Trip Planner itineraries and TransitTracker arrival results pages, and on 503-238-RIDE. We understand there is a delicate balance between making the online experience easy and inviting for riders, and using it as an effective advertising platform..

What this means for riders: In addition to seeing ads on TriMet websites, riders would hear brief advertising messages prior to arrival times on TransitTracker by Phone at 503-238-RIDE. These changes would begin in fall 2012.

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Proposal:

Why we are proposing this We can save money by reconfiguring certain bus routes to eliminate overlapping service, and by cutting some low-ridership bus trips. The route changes would occur in areas where routes run relatively close together, such as Northwest Portland, North/Northeast Portland and Beaverton. We would reconfigure the routes so that they do not compete with each other for the same riders, and so that spacing between routes (and thus the maximum walking distance) is more consistent. The other cuts would involve running buses less often (eliminating low-ridership trips) on certain lines.

Service is our core business, and, of course, it's the last place we look to cut. With a goal of minimizing the impact to riders, this proposal takes into account ridership, the availability of alternative service, the use of service for work and school trips, and the operating efficiency of the proposed changes. We also look at transit equity issues to make sure that the changes would not disproportionately affect low-income populations and communities of color.

What this means for riders: We are proposing changing the routes on 15 bus lines and eliminating low-ridership trips on 9 bus lines. While reconfiguring routes would save TriMet money and simplify the system somewhat, these are still in fact cuts that affect some riders. Cutting trips would result in reduced hours of operation and service frequency, and some riders may need to make additional transfers. These changes would take effect September 2, 2012.

• See details of planned bus service reductions

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Proposal:

In addition to reducing costs by $80 million between 2001 and 2011 through various internal efficiencies, we have cut 200 positions, used stimulus money, and delayed certain capital investments, in order to weather budget shortfalls caused by the last two recessions. Our non-union employees (which include management) are in their fourth year of a salary freeze and are now paying more out-of-pocket for health care. Non-union retirement benefits have also been trimmed.

This cost-saving measure will require management and employees to identify greater savings through internal efficiencies. It will likely include further reductions to staff and programs that support transit service. Our initial proposal called for $500,000 in administrative cuts, but we have increased that commitment to $1.2 million in order to minimize cuts to transit service and the direct impact to riders.

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Proposal:

Why we are proposing this: We can save money by reducing the LIFT paratransit service boundary, in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. This change would align LIFT hours of operation and service area with that of bus and MAX service. TriMet's current LIFT service exceeds ADA requirements.

What this means for riders: There would be six LIFT paratransit service boundaries: weekdays, weekday evenings, Saturdays, Saturday evenings, Sundays, and Sunday evenings. As allowed under the ADA, LIFT trips would only be provided if there is nearby fixed-route bus or rail service in operation during that time. This change would take effect September 2, 2012.

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Proposal:

We are proposing to reduce our annual financial contribution toward the operation of the Portland Streetcar by 7%.

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