TriMet’s low-income fare program on track to exceed first year expectations

TriMet’s efforts to put reduced fares in the hands of riders on a low-income reached another milestone as the number of qualified applicants topped 10,000. Residents within TriMet’s service district who earn up to double the federal poverty level may qualify for our Honored Citizen reduced fare. Enrollment brings a 50 percent discount off single rides and day passes and a 72 percent discount off month passes. That can add up to an annual savings of $864 dollars or more in transportation costs.

By the numbers

TriMet's reduced fare program for riders with a low-income launched to the public on July 2, 2018. In the seven months since, TriMet has:

TriMet on campus at Portland State University for enrollment event

• Helped 10,031 riders qualify.
• Printed 8,697 personalized Hop cards.
• Established 10 public and 17 client-centered community partner income verification sites.
• Hosted 54 enrollment events across the region.

With 10,031 riders qualified for reduced fare based on their income level, TriMet is on track to surpass our first year estimate of 15,000 participants. The projection was based on the performance of low-income fare programs established by peer agencies, including Sound Transit in King County, Washington. TriMet is two-thirds of the way toward meeting our year-one estimate, in about seven months since our program started.

Honored Citizen fare expansion

TriMet’s creation of a reduced fare program for low-income riders came through an expansion of our Honored Citizen fare. Qualified riders receive the same discounted fare as seniors (65+), Medicaid recipients, people with mental and physical disabilities and youth (7-17). This approach helps keep the fare system simple, streamlined and easy-to-understand.

How to qualify

Oregonians, age 18 to 64, who earn up to double the federal poverty level and are not otherwise eligible for Honored Citizen fare are invited to participate in the program. Qualification is quick and easy and can be done at partner verification sites throughout the region, as well as remote enrollment events hosted by TriMet. All riders need is a government-issued ID and valid documentation such as a recent paystub or Oregon Health Plan card.

Once qualification is confirmed, riders take their income verification receipt to the TriMet Ticket office, where they will receive a personalized Hop card that includes their photo. Money can be loaded to the card at the ticket office, online at myhopcard.com, through the Hop mobile app or at more than 500 retail partner locations. Savings begin immediately.