KPTV - FOX 12TriMet proposes major cuts to close $17M budget gap

TriMet has unveiled a long list of proposed cuts that would close a $17 million budget shortfall projected for fiscal year 2013.

TriMet says the shortfall is projected between $12 million and $17 million, but it is budgeting for the higher amount. The agency says the shortfall is the result of  the continued recession and slow recovery, an anticipated cut in federal funding and costs associated with an unresolved labor contract.

One of the most noticeable changes TriMet is proposing is the elimination of fare zones and the transition to a flat-fare, one-way system. Instead of paying according to the length of their trip, riders would pay a uniform fare for a one-way, two-hour ticket. Round-trips would require riders to purchase an all day pass. TriMet says the change would generate $9 million.

Another major proposed change is the elimination of the Free Rail Zone. TriMet has offered fareless rides in the downtown area since 1975, but eliminating free rides is expected to save the agency $2.7 million.

TriMet also hopes to alter service on numerous bus routes and reduce the frequency of trains during off-peak hours.

The following is a complete list of proposed changes, directly from TriMet:

 Eliminate fare zones and move to flat fare system

TriMet is proposing to eliminate the fare zones and move to a flat fare system, generating $9 million. The zone system was created 30 years ago to charge for distance-based trips that typically started in the suburbs and ended in downtown Portland. It kept fares lower for minority and low-income riders who lived in the central city. Since that time, travel patterns have shifted from downtown to throughout the region, and demographics have also changed with most minority and low-income riders living further away from the central city and making longer trips.

The benefit of a flat fare system makes it simpler for riders and makes the bus and train transfer times the same (currently a train transfer is valid longer than a bus transfer). Riders would purchase either a One-Way 2-Hour Ticket or a Round-Trip Day Pass that provides unlimited trips on buses, MAX and WES Commuter Rail. This change will also help low-income and minority riders who typically buy single fares that are not discounted, and who ride more in off-peak hours and transfer more often.

A shift to a flat-fare system:
· Equalizes fares, making it simpler for riders and easier to enforce.

· Reflects how people use the system, which is regionally, rather than downtown focused.

· Makes bus and train transfer times the same - bus transfers are about an hour, while MAX transfers are two hours. This makes transfers equitable, especially for low-income and minority riders who typically travel further distances.

· Eliminates round trips on a single fare. About 5 percent of riders take round trips on a single fare. The fare system was never intended to allow round-tripping on a single fare, which has typically benefited riders who live near the central city or travel short distances.

· Is in line with most transit agencies, which have moved to flat fares.

· Eases the transition to an electronic fare system in the future.

Flat fare proposal: 
· An Adult One-Way 2-hour Ticket would increase 10 cents and cost $2.50. A Round-Trip Day Pass with unlimited rides would cost the same as the current Day Pass of $5. TriMet would eliminate the two-zone fare, which is currently $2.10.

· The Youth One-Way 2-hour Youth Ticket would increase 15 cents to $1.65; the Round-Trip Day Pass would cost $3.30, which is lower than the current day pass of $5.

· Honored Citizen fares would not change - $1 per one-way ticket.

Eliminate the Free Rail Zone
Free rides in downtown Portland began in 1975 in response to numerous violations of Federal Air Quality standards. It's an exclusive benefit to downtown Portland and the Lloyd District. The elimination would save $2.7 million and provide equitable service throughout the region.

With the change in the fare structure and eliminating the Free Rail Zone would save a total of $12.2 million.

Proposed service cuts
TriMet said the last place it looks to close its budget shortfall is at service cuts. The focus is to maintain overall service to an area and minimize impact to riders. The proposed changes to bus service would save $2 million.

Reconfigure 14 bus routes
Eliminate segments of routes that overlap with other routes. This maintains service to an area but requires more transfers on these bus lines: 6, 8, 9, 12, 16, 17, 47, 48, 67, 70, 77, 82, 87 and 89.

Change routing on 3 bus lines
Routes would be modified on lines 43, 45 and 94.

Eliminate bus trips with low ridership on 26 bus lines
This would result in service that begins later in the morning and/or ends earlier in the evening, and may include extended time between trips: 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 43, 45, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59, 73, 85, 89, 92, 96 and 155

Eliminate some weekend service with low ridership on 3 bus lines
This would result in all Saturday and/or Sunday service discontinued on lines 22, 32 and 73

Reduce the frequency of all MAX service except during weekday rush hour
MAX Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines would operate at 20-minute intervals during the midday, evenings and on weekends. This would save $1.5 million.

Reduce MAX Red Line service except during weekday rush hour
MAX Red Line would run only between Beaverton Transit Center and the Portland International Airport during weekday rush hours. All other times, the Red Line would only travel as far west as the Galleria/SW 10th Ave Station in downtown Portland. MAX riders traveling between Beaverton Transit Center and downtown Portland would have about 4 fewer trains an hour outside rush hour. This would save $900,000.

Adjust LIFT paratransit service boundary to match regular transit service
TriMet's current LIFT door-to-door paratransit service exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. The proposal is to implement six different LIFT service boundaries based on time of day and day of the week, and only provide paratransit trips if fixed-route bus or rail service is in operation at that time. The service change would save $400,000 while still exceeding ADA requirements.

Reduce TriMet contributions to the Portland Streetcar
TriMet helps fund Portland Streetcar operations, and is proposing a $400,000 reduction in FY13 contribution. 

TriMet is taking public input on the proposed changes through March 2 on its website and over the phone at 503-238-RIDE (7433), option 5.

The agency also will hold informal open houses to answer questions and gather public input. The first will be held at the Beaverton Library on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.

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