Simplifying the TriMet fare system (2005)
From a list submitted at the September 2005 TriMet Board of Directors meeting and given to TriMet's strategic planner at the time
See current TriMet fares and fares effective September 1, 2010
- Abolish the zone system, replacing it with a flat fare. It is confusing for people who are unfamiliar with it and can scare them off.
- Abolish time-based transfers, replacing them with a transfer that can only be used once and on the same day or by charging for every ride. The transfer would be put in the farebox on the 2nd bus or validated for MAX.
- Now, both the zones and transfers are abused and it is said that fare disputes are a major operator issue. Vancouver, Salem and Los Angeles have recently ended issuing time transfers. Moreover, 2 hours is very generous and many people who should have to pay twice do not.
- According to Page 9 of the Transit Investment Plan, 'most trips by automobile are short, so it is important for transit to attract these trips in order to increase ridership and meet RTP goals, particularly for transit ridership to Regional and Town Centers and along Main Streets'. Making it cost even more just to board a bus does not encourage this to happen.
- It could also lead to the 80's vicious cycle of fare raises and lost ridership.
- People wishing to ride MAX would have to have their transfer stamped (validated) with the time and station; they could only use them to board the next train in their direction and later transfer to a bus. St. Louis is said to use this system to enforce its one ticket/one ride/one way rule.
- Clearly print on the tickets and transfers where they came from (bus or MAX) and the day. Bus tickets validated for MAX would not be accepted.
- Lower the day pass cost to double a single fare; riders needing to transfer twice or wanting to take a round trip would by this.
- Possibly charge a higher price for MAX and express bus service, seeing that it is used by a higher class of people and a better level of service.
- Combine Youth/Student and Honored Citizen fares into one "Reduced" fare
Note that the new "Reduced" fare could be half the price of a regular Adult fare. This would mean that there would need to be only three types of tickets (half-price/Reduced, full price/Adult and double/Day Pass) and that combinations of lower-priced tickets could be given/used in lieu of higher-priced ones.
In addition, the 14-day passes could be eliminated seeing that they provide little savings compared to two 7-day passes and reduced-price (non-adult all-zone) 7-day passes introduced instead.
And for comparison, the current Cherriots Fares and their Fare Increase. Note how their day pass currently costs double the regular fare and is proposed to be more than it. And as noted above, their "cash fares" are for a single ride only as they do not give out free transfers.