TriMet fare could rise by 14 percent

TriMet has announced plans for a steep rate increase for fall in response to continually escalating fuel costs, which could raise fares by as much as 14.2 percent.

The increase, which will be decided upon at TriMet’s board meeting on June 25, would take effect in September. The rates will go up five cents for inflation and either 15 cents or 20 cents to cover increasing costs of diesel fuel.

This announcement comes after TriMet reported record ridership on its buses and MAX trains–credited by the transportation company as a commuters response to escalating fuel prices.

The current price for a two hour, two-zone adult ticket is $1.75, but depending on which rate increase the board decides on, the fare could cost as much as $2 per ticket. All-zone tickets could be raised to $2.30.

“We have done everything possible to offset these record fuel prices, but we must increase fares to cover the cost,” TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen said in the May 12 press release.

According to TriMet, the reason behind the rate hike is the rapidly rising cost of diesel fuel. On May 1, TriMet reported paying $3.62 per gallon, citing a 71 percent increase in fuel costs from last summer. By May 21, they reported paying over $4 per gallon for fuel.

The price per gallon is almost double what TriMet had budgeted for, according to a May 28 press release, which said it budgeted $2.31 per gallon for 2008.

TriMet’s ridership has also boomed alongside the rising price of fuel, as more drivers opt for mass transit.

In April, TriMet reported that the number of rides broke two million per week for the first time in the company’s history. TriMet also reported that an extra 5,400 daily trips were taken during morning rush hour time periods compared to April 2007.

It is unclear whether the new fares will impact the cost for a student FlexPass, which offers free TriMet rides for a term and can be purchased from Portland State for a discounted student rate. Price setting negotiations between PSU Transportation and Parking and TriMet have not finished, the department states, and they do not yet know what Fall’s price will be.

A FlexPass for this term cost $150, while the Summer FlexPass, which lasts through Aug. 31, costs $100.

“I use a student pass, I hope this isn’t going to jack the price,” said student and regular bus commuter Gwen Pierce.

Hansen said TriMet’s 14 percent increase proposal is not unique, and that other public transportation agencies around the nation are also increasing fares by 25 cents to offset gas prices.

Seattle’s Metro Transit, for example, is raising its prices by 25 cents for youths, seniors and people with disabilities. Riders who are 17 and under will now pay 75 cents to travel, up from the previous 50-cent fare. Youth riders in Portland could end up paying $1.50 per ticket under the Sept. 1 proposed increase.

Some riders do not mind the increases.

“Prices go up, you know,” bus rider Mark Smith said, “I mean, it’s still cheaper than gas.”