TriMet proposes fare increase for ADA LIFT rides to be phased in over 4 years; vote set for July 27
June 21, 2011
After several weeks of public outreach, TriMet is proposing to increase LIFT fares by 30 cents and increase monthly passes by $10 effective January 2012. TriMet LIFT fares for the door-to-door service are among the lowest of peer agencies. The increase will help offset the cost of providing this service and rising diesel prices.
The current cash LIFT fare is $1.85 for a one-way trip, but the cost to TriMet is $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 is proposing to increase the LIFT cash fare over the next four years, bringing it to $3. Salem and Eugene currently charge $3 for ADA trips. TriMet is also proposing to increase the LIFT monthly pass by $10 each year over the next four years. It is currently $52 and will increase to $92 over the next four years.
Honored Citizen fares remain unchanged through January 2014
To offset the impact of the LIFT fare increase, Honored Citizen fares will remain unchanged through January 2014 ($1 cash fare; $26 monthly pass). Each year, 11 million trips are taken by elderly and people with disabilities on fixed-route buses, MAX and WES trains. About 1 million trips are taken by people with disabilities on the door-to-door LIFT system.
First reading
The first reading of the LIFT fare proposal will be at the June 22 board meeting, which will be held at the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Room C. The public can comment on the proposed fare increase via:
Mail: TriMet-MK2, 4012 SE 17th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
Email: comments@trimet.org
Phone: 503-238-RIDE (7433)
Fax: 503-962-6469
TTY: 503-962-5811, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays
Comments are accepted through Friday, July 22, 2011.
A vote is scheduled at the board's July 27 meeting.
If approved, the fare changes would take effect January 1, 2012.