Amy, I used to be on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee but stepped down as the campaign. The first of the two hats I wore tonight was as chair of the Portland Streetcar Citizen Advisory Committee. The committee feels that this process is much too rushed and should be part of the larger (and hopefully data-driven) discussion about the long-term future of fareless square.

We also noted that if TriMet goes ahead with this now, even though we have tried to keep Streetcar seamlessly compatible with TriMet fares, Streetcar may not follow suit until the bigger picture is clear. Our CAC will watch what TriMet does and make a separate recommendation to Portland Streetcar and Commissioner Adams after they make their decision.

I say we have two choices: first, deluge the Governor's office with letters calling for Hansen's removal -- after all, it seems TriMet's rulers only report to the person who appoints them.

Second, take to the streets. But to make the point, don't use Transit -- get everyone downtown in cars (and on a bike if you don't have a car) to show how many people will make THAT choice in the future. That should get the press' interest and that might get Hansen's attention.

It's clear that Hansen thinks that rich people in the Pearl are getting a free ride and he wants them to pay. Screw the poor who live downtown -- like the little old ladies you mention. Hansen's convinced that by making Pearl residents pay for using the system at night, he can fund the increase in security.

Hansen's an idiot who only cares what the citizens think when he gives them his opinion. Stupid taxpayers! Don't they know they must repeat what he says because he is so much smarter than any one else and he knows what Portland should be.

I still have questions. I now know there is oversight on TriMet but I'm at a loss as to how to tell Mr. Fred Hansen to stick his ending fareless square policy up his ass other than to comment on their webpage (yeah I work so those public meetings don't work for me and these TriMet folks sound like they don't care). So what do I do? I know I can comment about it through e-mail. Anyway, the whole point is if TriMet's board doesn't listen then what happens after that.

My personal opinion is that we shouldn't care about fareless square. Fred Hansen is basically saying poor people get on the bus to cause trouble. If we charge them to get on the bus they won't cause trouble. Dead wrong in my eyes. I think fareless square should be expanded and so should TriMet's hours so we don't have a bunch of drunks driving home. Also, does anyone think about Blazer games. They're rad again and selling out. 20,000 people are all going to a place with limited parking nearby. How does Max not help with this and if you charge people $2.00 to get on and their ticket expires before the game ends they have to pay another $2. Same goes for concerts.

Which elected officials are the ones we should be talking to about this, since TriMet is clearly aware of its lack of direct accountability to the public? Bragdon? Kulo? Adams? Since TriMet isn't empowering us, how do we empower ourselves?

Also, Pantsless MAX Day or whatever that was leads me to wonder if there aren't some creative ways we could demonstrate our thoughts on this issue.

And Skinny City Girl had a good point in a previous thread: there's clearly a reason why TriMet wants to cut Fareless Square. Could some good reporting figure out what that is? I assume it's financial, but is there a more specific and detailed rationale?

Thanks for the clarification, Chris—I fixed it.

James X - emailing Bragdon couldn't hurt. Metro can take over TriMet if they want, though I doubt they want to... but perhaps that potential authority gives the Metro council more sway? And Bragdon certainly listens.

I'm digging further into the larger "why."

Fareless square is not the problem. The problem is the gang bangers who board Max at Rockwood, Gateway and 82nd ave. Those stops should be retrofitted with turnstyle systems to prevent boarding without a fare. There should also be armed law enforcement on those trains at all hours.

Maybe if Tri Met didn't vest their employees for FREE HEALTH CARE FOR LIFE after FIVE YEARS on the job, they could afford to hire security.

Did someone just suggest taking to the streets over bus fares?

I love this town. In London, they'd just scrap it and nobody would bat an eyelid. Here, there's uproar.

At first I scoffed at Portlanders' seeming self-importance when it comes to democracy. These days I'm starting to enjoy it immensely.

I have been using Fareless just about every day since I moved here, My job buys me a month pass so Fareless is not much of an advantage to me.....SO WHAT! It is convenient to not have to dig out my pass ever 5 minutes. Fareless is the #1 top reason I moved to Portland, I was so impressed that I moved here. I have never had a real problem on Max. In fact I have actually met some amazingly nice people on Max.

this is a classic example of "if it ain't broke, let's break it" thinking on the part of tri-met. There must be a better reason than "crime" for this idiocy, as was said above, and it's probably money.

That said, it will be important to involve folks who feel this violates the basic principles that make public transit effective - affordability and access. Fareless Square is a component of a larger system meant to both alleviate traffic and allow the freedom of movement around the city to everyone. While some may not care because they are jealous of tri-met worker's benefit package, or because their job provides free passes, it is important to realize that we all have something to lose (and something to gain) from a functional public transportation system.

elwood, well said.

I think Trimet is facing pressure to get rid of Fareless Square and doesn't want to, so this process was designed to raise as much public outcry as possible.

elwood. I believe it is the other way around. They want to close it. (more revenue) and are trying to hide from public outcry.

Skinny City Girl. I believe it is the other way around. They want to close it. (more revenue) and are trying to hide from public outcry.

I don't know, Praenomenal. Their outreach group is much too sophisticated to let something like this happen. Do you think the organization that came up with Transit Tracker, Rider Insider, I-205 outreach, Commuter Rail outreach--all very sophisticated efforts--would really let the ball drop on something like this? They know how to hide from public outcry.

Here's a strategy for making sure you are heard. It helps to have many people do this at once:
1. Draft a letter or email or both stating your take on this and specifically ask for, demand or recommend things that need changing about the process.
2. Mail this letter to David Bragdon (the head of metro) and each and every single board member of Tri-met.

You can find contact information here:
wadsworth-stephen@aramark.com

3.Then call the agency and ask for follow-up to make sure they have received your letter.
4. Tri-met also has Board meetings every 4th Wed of the Month. Make sure to go. Beforehand request time for open forum public commentary to be put on the docket.
5. Don't forget to inform the media!
6. Doesn't hurt to CC other influential people with your concerns like City Council, non-profit groups or neighborhood associations, etc.

Trust me, if enough people do this loudly, Tri-met will listen.

LC: I think you may have copy-pasted the wrong item for "you can find contact information here."