Proposal to axe fareless bus service in Fareless Square

TriMet has a new proposal out for changes to Fareless Square.  What are the changes?

No more fareless bus rides in Fareless Square.

Do keep in mind that TriMet will be keeping MAX and streetcar fareless in the current Fareless Square boundary.

TriMet states that this would make “more efficient bus operations.” They make several good points about this, namely:

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

And:

“Ending free rides on buses would also remove potential conflict with bus operators, who may not always remember which riders paid or didn’t pay, as the bus approaches the Fareless Square boundary.”

TriMet also states this won’t have as much impact as you might think, namely because “More than 50% of riders in Fareless Square already have a monthly or yearly pass, so a change to the free zone is not an issue for them. We believe others will walk or bike more as a result of the change.”

TriMet is seeking public opinion on this proposal.  TriMet will accept comments through July 17th at this email address: comments@trimet.org.  I strongly suggest if you have any opinion whatsoever to make your opinion be heard; as we’ve seen in the most recent round of changes to bus lines being axed and times being changed, strong enough public opinion does sway how a final proposal is shaped.

You can read more about this proposal here.

Fareless Square becoming not so fareless?

Saw this article over at Oregon Live: Not-So-Fareless Square?  Basically, the gist is – TriMet is looking into the idea of making Fareless Square into, well, a couple of things:

• Make Fareless Square rail-only – buses would require fare
• End Fareless Square at Seventh, effectively making the Lloyd Center stop outside of the square
• Make Fareless Square into $1-Fare-Square

My Thoughts

Here are my thoughts: if it makes sense, I think there should be a requirement of $1 for fare within Fareless Square.  The problem then is the riders who pay this fare but then go out to Zone 2 or Zone 3; I think this is a major under-reported problem now with 2 zone fare and all-zone fare.  Adding another type of fare into the mix only complicates things more.

Who Is To Blame?

So who is at fault for wanting to change Fareless Square?  I don’t think anyone is to blame.  Business within fareless square foot a bill for fareless riders.  These businesses are seeing slowing business in due part to the “economic crisis.”  (Side note: don’t get me started with how I think the local & national media is helping scare the public about this “economic crisis” each and every newscast).  Obviously, business owners who are footing the payroll tax that subsidize free rides within Fareless Square are seeing a slowdown of spending and don’t want to pay around the same amount of money (or more!) for less consumer spending.

TriMet, then, needs to find a way that some amount of revenue can come from riders who only ride in Fareless Square.

The Best Resolution

For me, I’m unsure as to the best resolution to this problem.  I think adding another fare option only needlessly complicates things.  Perhaps shrinking fareless square would be the best resolution here… but that doesn’t help businesses that would stay within Fareless Square that are paying for it.

How about this: set up a “donation”-type payment for Fareless Square riders.  Say hey, we are providing this free of charge within Fareless Square… if you feel like donating for fare, please do so.  See how that goes.

What are all of your opinions about this?