TriMet’s low-income fare program surpasses expectations
TriMet’s low-income fare program surpassed enrollment expectations for its first year, with more than 17,300 people saving more than $2.5 million on transit costs.
TriMet, working with a network of community partners, has made accessing transit more affordable for 17,308 people living within the service district, more than 2,000 riders served than initially expected in the first year. The program gives people with an income up to double the federal poverty level unlimited access to buses and trains for around $28 per month. Frequent riders can save more than $850 annually.
“This program is breaking down barriers for so many people in our region,” said TriMet General Manager Doug Kelsey. “It’s creating new connections to jobs, educational opportunities, programs and services. It’s helping people create the life they want to live.”
How to qualify for reduced fare
Oregonians between the ages of 18 to 64, who live within TriMet’s service district, and earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for the Honored Citizen reduced fare. To qualify, riders will need a government-issued ID and valid documentation such as a recent pay stub or Oregon Health Plan card for a screening.
TriMet partners with organizations including Centro Cultural, IRCO and WorkSource Oregon to conduct eligibility screenings. Once eligibility is affirmed, riders can obtain a personalized Hop Fastpass Honored Citizen ID card at the TriMet Ticket Office. Money can be loaded to the card at the TriMet Ticket Office, online at myhopcard.com, through the Hop mobile app or at more than 500 retail partner locations. Savings begin immediately.
During the first year, TriMet grew the community partner network to more than 40 sites. Some work directly with their clients, but there are 13 partner sites in the tri-county area that are open to the public and will continue to expand the network in years to come.
“This is a testament to the community partner organizations who help connect the diverse populations we serve with transit options across the tri-county area,” said John Gardner, director of transit equity, inclusion and community affairs. “Those organizations are vital to the success of this program.”
The reduced fare program is funded by Keep Oregon Moving, which Governor Kate Brown signed into law following the 2017 legislative session. The law created the state’s first-ever ongoing, stable source of funding for public transit.
Committed to equity
TriMet believes access to public transportation is access to opportunity, and we are committed to transit equity. As a public transportation agency, we serve a broad and diverse community. Our values are rooted in ensuring all riders have fair and equal access to transit services, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or income level. Learn more about reduced fares for assistance program at trimet.org/lowincome.
Megan Perrero | Editor in Chief
Megan Perrero is a national award-winning B2B journalist and lover of all things transit. Currently, she is the Editor in Chief of Mass Transit magazine, where she develops and leads a multi-channel editorial strategy while reporting on the North American public transit industry.
Prior to her position with Mass Transit, Perrero was the senior communications and external relations specialist for the Shared-Use Mobility Center, where she was responsible for helping develop internal/external communications, plan the National Shared Mobility Summit and manage brand strategy and marketing campaigns.
Perrero serves as the board secretary for Latinos In Transit and is a member of the American Public Transportation Association Marketing and Communications Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism with a concentration in magazine writing and a minor in public relations from Columbia College Chicago.
