Campaign for a Fair Transfer Vivian Satterfield, OPAL Associate Director Jared Franz, OPAL Law & Policy Associate Eavan Moore, BRU Research & Advisory Committee Chair Ben Duncan, OPAL Board Chair
Feb 25, 2016
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 OurselvesEnvironmental Justice demands meaningful participation of those most impacted at every
level of decision-making.Riders know their challenges and solutions best.