Trimet Updates Proposed Changes to Fares and Service

Trimet released updated proposals for changes to fares and service in order to meet their $12 million budget shortfall.   The good news is the $2.50 one-way fare proposal has been softened into a $2.50 2 hour any direction fare.  They continue their initial proposals to eliminates zones with different pricing and to eliminate Free Rail Zone.  The final changes they settle on would likely go into effect during the fall of this year.  A link to the full proposal appears at the bottom of this posting.

Proposed route changes affecting Gulchers include:

Lines 6-Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 8-NE 15th Ave

In 2007 C-TRAN extended a frequent route to connect Jantzen Beach and Vancouver, Washington, with MAX Yellow Line. TriMet also connects MAX to Jantzen Beach with Line 6. This results in three relatively frequent bus lines along parts of N Lombard Street and Denver Avenue and two relatively frequent bus lines connecting MAX to Jantzen Beach.

Line 6 would run from North Portland to Jantzen Beach via Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Vancouver Way instead of via N Lombard Street and Denver Avenue in Kenton, serving current Line 8 stops north of Dekum Street.

Line 8 would end around NE Dekum & 9th.

Line 9-Powell/Broadway

The north and south sections of Line 9 would be split. Powell (south) would end at Union Station. The Broadway segment from Gresham TC into Downtown Portland would not change. Line 9 may be combined with Line 17 in Downtown Portland.

Lines 70-12th Ave, 73-NE 33rd Ave

Several TriMet lines run along parts of NE Broadway west of NE 24th Avenue. This provides an opportunity to make new eastside connections for the Line 73 and Line 70 riders. Line 70 and Line 73 would be combined at Lloyd Center. This combined line would stay on the Eastside and would extend through Northeast Portland instead of ending at Rose Quarter. Buses would run along NE Broadway, Multnomah, 9th Avenue and Holladay Street.

Full details and comment form are here: http://trimet.org/mailforms/budgetproposal_refined

Five public hearings are scheduled: the closest one is Wednesday, March 21 downtown at the Portland Building Auditorium, 1120 SW 5th Ave. from 4:30–6:30 p.m.