Fair Transit = Fareless TriMet

"We already pay the bulk of the TriMet operating budget through (mostly employment) taxes (49%), federal operating grants (13%), state and local revenue (8%). That's a total of 70% that everybody has already paid—even folks who aren't passengers. Passenger revenue only covers 6% of the TriMet budget."

"If TriMet were fareless, it would attract more riders. More riders would make rides safer and garner more support for public transit. More support means more tax revenue. More revenue means more routes and greater frequency. This is a virtuous cycle."

"Instead of blaming fare evasion for budget crises, blame the austerity. Fewer routes making fewer trips makes TriMet less reliable."

TriMet's operating budget is predominantly funded through employment taxes (49%), federal grants (13%), and state/local revenue (8%), totaling 70% from all taxpayers regardless of ridership status. Passenger fares cover only 6% of the budget. Rather than pursuing fare collection, implementing fareless transit would attract more riders, increasing safety and public support for transit expansion. Greater ridership support translates to increased tax revenue, enabling more routes and higher frequency service. This creates a positive feedback loop of growth and reliability. Budget crises stem from austerity policies that reduce routes and service frequency, undermining system reliability. The focus should shift from addressing fare evasion to demanding elected officials and transit boards establish the fareless system Portland needs.

Read at Portland Mercury