BACK TO PUNCHING TICKETS

Portland's Tri-Met has modified its experiment with self-service fare collection after 18 months so that effectively the demonstration has ended. When the program did not work out as anticipated and costs began to escalate, UMTA would not increase its funding and Tri-Met was forced to end the program. Factors of a local nature, however, were primarily responsible. The anticipated 2 percent fare evasion rate turned out to be 8 percent in actual practice. Equipment reliability was much lower than anticipated, particularly on the buses. Equipment maintenance costs then soared. Then recession not only cut into ridership (and revenues) but decreased receipts from a regional payroll tax dedicated to transit. Attempts to fine and prosecute fare evaders were stymied by local law enforcement officials and courts. As enforcement and equipment performance declined, riders got the impression that Tri-Met was not backing its experimental fare system. In June 1984 it returned to paper transfers and ticket punching. Self-service inspections are now conducted only at the periphery of the fare-free downtown area; when Tri-Met's light rail line becomes operations, the full self-service fare collection will be instituted there.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Bobit Publishing Company

    2500 Artesia Boulevard
    Redondo Beach, CA  United States  90278
  • Publication Date: 1984-7

Media Info

  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: 3 p.
  • Serial:
    • Metro
    • Volume: 80
    • Issue Number: 4
    • Publisher: Bobit Publishing Company
    • ISSN: 10098-0083

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00387932
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM