July 10, 2009

Fareless Square Change Proposed

Feedback wanted on proposal to limit the fare-free zone to MAX

When MAX Green Line opens on the Portland Transit Mall in September, riders will be able to use MAX and Portland Streetcar for nearly all trips within Fareless Square. Changing the fare-free zone to rail-only would simplify the system for riders and improve efficiency of bus service, while maintaining frequent, free service within Portland City Center.

Fareless Square background

When TriMet created Fareless Square 34 years ago, it was designed to help address air quality issues, reduce car trips downtown and increase transit use.

We still want to preserve the environment and increase transit ridership. But in those 34 years, our transit system has vastly improved. We now have a comprehensive light rail system and the Portland Streetcar, which provide high-quality transit service within the fare-free zone.

MAX will cover Fareless Square

When we open MAX Green Line this September on the Portland Transit Mall between Union Station and Portland State University, both Green and Yellow line trains will run north-south through downtown. As a result, we will have virtually the same service within Fareless Square on rail as we did with the former bus mall.

We estimate that about 95% of the trips currently taken within Fareless Square can easily be taken on the future Green Line on the Mall, on the existing Blue/Red MAX line on Morrison and Yamhill, and on the Streetcar. Nearly every destination in Fareless Square will be served by MAX or Streetcar within 3 or 4 blocks.

Downtown-only Honored Citizen pass proposed

As part of the change to free rides on rail only, we are proposing a new downtown-only pass for seniors and people with disabilities. The new pass would allow people with limited mobility who live downtown to continue to use buses for free downtown. This Honored Citizen pass would be valid on buses as well as trains, providing access to grocery stores and other destinations where trains don't provide direct service. For a fee of $25, these riders would be issued a photo ID pass valid for two years, after showing proof of residency within the downtown fare-free zone boundary.

How would riders be affected?

For our riders, it would make downtown travel more predictable. As it stands, it's not always clear which buses travel through downtown, and which ones turn off to serve other destinations. If you get on the wrong bus, you might end up on the other side of the river, or up in the West End. With MAX and Streetcar running along the same fixed routes, you can confidently board any train going in the direction you want.

Most people who currently ride buses in downtown will be able to shift to other modes to make their trip. Only about 7 percent of bus trips downtown are true "free" trips, that stay completely within Fareless Square and do not already have a monthly or annual pass. Many of these will be able to use MAX or the Streetcar instead, and many more will choose to bike or walk.

More efficient bus operations

Many bus riders in Fareless Square get on at a stop, ride a few blocks and then get off. This can slow travel time for the bus and can back up buses moving through the Mall.

Ending free rides on buses would also improve efficiency for bus operators, who may not always remember which riders paid or didn’t pay, as the bus approaches the boundary of Fareless Square.