VETERAN’S DAY
Special Edition
November 6, 2019
Page 5
TriMet Defends Added Security
c ontinued froM f ront
balanced.
“We do hear from people who
say they’re paying their fair share
and playing by the rules but they
want more security,” she said.
“They just want to be able to take
transit to and from their jobs and
do so without being disruptive.”
Lopez argues that instead of
adding more fare inspectors,
TriMet should redefine those
jobs.
“Instead of fare enforcers, what
we would want to see them do
is advocate for riders,” she said.
“We want to push those nine folks
to become better rider advocates
to provide resources, support and
de-escalate situations. We would
like to redefine those jobs.”
But Altstadt said the new fare
inspectors plan to do many of
those things.
“These teams out there on a
daily basis enforcing TriMet code
and for an added presence of secu-
rity on board. We have complaints
where (riders) don’t see people
they could reach out for help,” she
said. “We are also making sure ev-
erybody is following the rules for
a more friendly environment to
ride in. Teams will work in specif-
ic areas so get to know the riders
and riders get to know them and
photo courtesy of t ri M et
TriMet is making the case for more fare inspectors. Teams will work in specific areas to enforce
TriMet code and for an added presence of security on board.
they can help riders with direc-
tions and more,” she said.
According to TriMet’s most
recent rider phone survey of
807 people, 44 percent strongly
agreed that TriMet should en-
force fares, but just 2 percent
were concerned about the lack of
enforcement.
Altstadt said TriMet’s fare eva-
sion rate of 18 percent is higher
than the national average and it’s
a misconception that those who
skip on fares can’t afford them.
“Some concern has been raised
that this is supposedly targeting
those that have trouble affording
transit. It’s not,” she said. “We do
a fare evasion survey where we
ask those who didn’t pay why,
and only 2.3 percent say couldn’t
afford it. They say they were just
chancing it.”
For those who are struggling
financially, TriMet offers dis-
count or “honored citizen” fares
for the elderly, disabled, those on
Medicare or Medicaid, or who
make up to 200 percent of federal
poverty levels, Altstadt said.
The fare citation process has
also been eased in that peo-
ple have 90 days to go through
TriMet to pay a fine and avoid
going to court, and if they qualify
for the discounted fare, the ticket
is voided.
“We had to go to the state leg-
islature to change the citation
process to bring the punishment
more in line with the violation
and brought citations in-house,”
she said.
Another issue is “a lack of vi-
sion and oversight” at TriMet,
according to a report from the rid-
er advocates in light of a private
memo from TriMet’s Bernie Bot-
tomly that TriMet objects to ser-
vice enhancement dollars coming
from a 2020 Metro funding pack-
age.
“This, despite ongoing com-
munity outcry for enhanced tran-
sit service to fill gaps, reach all
schools and underserved neigh-
borhoods in the region, and the
clear need to reverse declining
readership,” the report states.
The rider advocates also state
that TriMet plans to increase fares
in the future, which Lopez said
will negatively impact ridership.
“Some at TriMet foresee a fu-
ture where ridership declines and
fares go up,” she said. “Bus Rid-
ers Unite sees just the opposite.
We want fares to go down.”
At the Oregon Department of
Transportation, we want to
take time this Veterans Day to
acknowledge the sacrifices of our
past and present service members.
Among these sacrifices is the
economic loss suffered by those
who have served our country.
ODOT recruitment recognizes
this sacrifice through the state’s
veterans’ preference program.
Veterans’ preference is a way for us to give back to veterans, and it is an opportunity for us to welcome the valuable experience of veterans and develop
an outstanding ODOT workforce. Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications for a position will benefit from veterans preference. As an ODOT
employee, you will have the opportunity every day to pursue our mission of providing a safe and reliable transportation system that connects Oregon’s
people and communities, and helps our economy thrive. We are an award-winning organization more than 4,700 employees strong. There are ways
to support this mission in locations across our state. Bring your skills and develop new ones through a variety of opportunities from program and
administrative support to engineering and highway maintenance. In any of
these roles, you will continue to make a difference to your fellow citizens.
All this work is guided by our core values of integrity, safety, equity,
excellence and unity. These values have helped us achieve national
recognition, and guide us as we provide outstanding customer service to
Oregonians and use innovative program design and technologies to solve
transportation problems.
We invite members of all diverse communities to join us as we endeavor to
best serve Oregonians from every background. ODOT values diversity and
inclusion because they are good for Oregon. We believe that by welcoming
differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning
from each other, and providing opportunities for professional enrichment
we are better able to serve those around us.
On this Veterans Day, we want to thank all service members and their
families for their sacrifice. We also invite you to start a new journey at
odotjobs.com.