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Portland's Fareless Square to Start Charging

Posted by: Nate Berg

14 August 2009 - 6:00am

The largest free mass transit area in the U.S. is changing its rules next year, when it will start charging people to ride the bus.

The fare-free area in downtown Portland known as Fareless Square will no longer be free for bus riders beginning in January. The 34-year-old system will still include free rides on light rail lines and streetcars.

"Though 45,000 people board buses each weekday within the fareless area, only 14,000 remain within the square, and fewer are without prepaid bus passes, according to TriMet estimates. As a result, TriMet officials Wednesday said they expected the impact would be offset by expanded free rail service."

Full Story: The days of a free bus ride are over
Source: The Oregonian, August 13, 2009
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Chapel Hill, NC

Submitted by jmm2113 on Mon, 08/17/2009 - 09:42.

I think Chapel Hill Transit, in North Carolina probably has a much larger free fare zone. The entire bus system in Chapel Hill and the neighboring town of Carrboro is free, paid for by general city funds.

-Jacob
NY, NY

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