TriMet approves 25-cent fare hike

Transit board says skyrocketing diesel costs force it to take action

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Jun 25, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (48 Reader comments)

TriMet’s fares will increase by 25 cents in September to cover the high cost of diesel fuel.

TriMet board members approved Wednesday morning the fare increase, which includes 20 cents to cover the rising cost of fuel and a usual 5-cent boost to cover inflation.

Board members voted 4 to 1 in favor of the higher of two proposed fare increase plans. Another proposal, which was tabled, would have increased fares by only 20 cents.

The fare increases go into effect Sept. 1.

Click here to see TriMet’s new fare structure.

Board member Lynn Lehrbach opposed the increase, saying a provision to raise “honored citizen” fares by 10 cents should be removed from the plan. TriMet provides reduced fares for “honored citizens” — senior citizens and the disabled. Under the proposal, it will cost honored citizens 95 cents to ride TriMet buses or trains. A monthly pass for honored citizens also will increase $2 to $25.

Other board members disagreed, and left the increase in the proposal. Lehrbach said even small increases could hurt people who are struggling on fixed incomes.

“Honored citizens ought to ride free and we can pick up the cost somewhere else,” he said.

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