Ah. It's rare to see a coworker in public doing something I'm actually proud of. Good on ya', Tim. Remember, you and I are in a union together already: you could have a had a crowd of angry, poor stagehands down there too, if you'd organized a bit more. Jus' sayin'.

But seriously. Good on ya'.

If TriMet would actually sell that ad space that is built into buses and trains that occupied by TriMet-only PSA's in the overhead slots, then it is estimated that the agency could generate an additional $1M per year. Yet, TriMet refuses to sell these slots... why? Also, other cities generate additional revenue selling ad space/coupons on the BACK of transit tickets that are vended from machines. Perhaps if TriMet's director spent as much energy trying to run TriMet as he spends consulting for his private clients in Australia, then we'd have a fiscally sound transportation system.

I'd be more in a tizzy about all this if Fareless Square was a benefit to everyone, not just the people that live and work downtown.

Plenty of poor people ride to and from work either outside the square, or pass entirely through it on their trip. Just because geography doesn't favor them shouldn't mean they should foot an unequitable share of the bill.

Why doesn't this "Union" look into where all the TriMet money goes.
(Hint - the most expensive union benefits in the nation)
Maybe they'll see why routs are being cut and fares go up.
If you want to see what unions can do for the future of a city - check out Detroit.

"working class people get to work"
BS, working class people don't use fareless, they don't live downtown. Fareless is a convenience designed for tourists that in fact is used primarily by homeless.
There are still fareless trains. Adapt.

I find it amusing that you organized labor bashers never miss a play, even when your comments prove totally irrelevant. This group obviously ins't a union.

Forget it folks, you still have fare less square!

Nothing really changes.

Working class people used to live in downtown, before Vera and Sam got their hooks into it.

Um...actually, a lot of poor and working class people *do* live downtown, in fareless square. I used to until last year. I know that in the condo developer's ideal world, there wouldn't be any subsidized housing left, but in reality, it still makes up a large portion of the housing downtown.

That being said, the protests weren't *just* over the issue of Fareless Square. We (the Transit Riders Union), oppose ALL cuts to service and fare increases. And we need a board that will actually fight for TriMet's budget.

hello i am governer kulingoski

*approves building of multi-billion dollar bridge during recession so traffic is slightly better*

*ignores groups pleading for investment in public transit, hiding behind a board of ineffectual, complacent directors*

*is a self-proclaimed 'green' governer*

lmao oops