Campaign for a Fair TransferVivian Satterfield, OPAL Associate Director

Jared Franz, OPAL Law & Policy Associate

Eavan Moore, BRU Research & Advisory Committee Chair

Ben Duncan, OPAL Board Chair

How We Got Here

BRU formed in 2010 in response to history of service cuts and fare increases

CFT supported by over 6,000 riders and over 30 community organizations

Collaboration with TriMet to produce cost estimate and discuss benefits

The Potential Cost

$2.6 million, short-term 0.5% of operating budget 2% of passenger revenue

Diminishing long-term 0.3 short-term sensitivity

to change (price elasticity)

0.6 – 0.9 long-term sensitivity

Diminishing cost due to increasing influence on ridership growth

No Budget Adjustment Necessary

Sufficient existing cash/contingency funds Board Policy = $100.3m Cash + Contingency = $118.7m Excess of Board Policy = $18.4m

CFT is a fraction of cash/contingency excess and an appropriate use of funds

Re-evaluate actual cost in FY15

CFT vs. Bus Service (Cost)

CFT is a short-term, diminishing cost

CFT is ready now, and cost of implementation is negligible

CFT is one-third the cost of restoring our frequent service network

CFT vs. Bus Service (Impact)

CFT has a system-wide impact; all cash/ticket riders benefit

CFT mitigates low-frequency service and on-time performance issues

Targeted fare relief for more people No barriers to access Existing fare mitigation

programs underutilized

Frequent ≠ Affordable

Fare burden is at record high Price increases have outpaced

inflation since 1990s Fare increases + recession =

double blow to riders

Fare relief reduces cost burdens, expands transit access

Opportunity to Be a Leader

Ridership Growth: Minneapolis 2.5 hour fare

Public Safety: San Francisco unlimited nighttime fare

Equity: Dallas low-cost, 5 hour midday fare

Public Perception & Good Will

Transit Is a Lifeline

Access to opportunity Jobs, education, worship, recreation, and

essential health and social services Residential displacement and the growing need

for affordable mobility

A Stronger Community Public Health Environmental Health

Transit Decisions Most Impact:

People of Color More likely to depend on transit, particularly busses More likely to transfer, use cash/ticket, and make short trips

People with Limited Income Fewest transportation options More than 60% of all boardings

Women

People with Limited Mobility Youth Seniors People with Disabilities

Source: TriMet 2010 Attitudes and Awareness Survey, TriMet 2012 Fall Rider Survey

Burdens & Benefits

Disparate impact People of Color Low-income Riders

Short, Cash or Ticket Trips (2-zone)

Bus Riders

Targeted relief People of Color Low-income Riders

Short, Cash or Ticket Trips (time-based)

Bus Riders

Source: TriMet 2012 Title VI /Transit Equity Impacts Assessment and Fall 2012 Rider Survey

Fare Increases Extended Fares

The Wisdom of Riders

We Speak for Ourselves

Environmental Justice demands meaningful participation of those most impacted at every

level of decision-making.

Riders know their challenges and solutions best.