Board delays approval LIFT fare increase until January
July 27, 2011
The TriMet Board of Directors today delayed voting on a LIFT fare increase after hearing concerns from the community. The majority of the board stated that a fare increase is necessary, but wanted more time to discuss options. The board will reconsider in January 2012.
The current cash LIFT fare is $1.85 for per trip, but the cost to TriMet is about $29. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows fares to be a maximum of twice the cost of a fixed-route fare, or up to $4.70. TriMet's fares for its LIFT door-to-door service are among the lowest of peer agencies. Salem and Eugene each charge $3 per trip.
TriMet had proposed the fare increase because the cost and growth of the service is unsustainable. The LIFT program has grown 37 percent over the past 10 years.
Background — the LIFT fare proposal phase-in
LIFT fares were proposed to increase by 30 cents per trip and $10 for monthly passes, taking effect January 1, 2012. LIFT cash fares were proposed to increase to $3 over the next four years. Monthly passes were proposed to increase by $10 each year, increasing from the current $52 to $92 over the next four years.