Long one of the rosiest of transit services in the country, thanks to low fares and its status as progenitor of a streetcar renaissance of sorts, changes are coming to the Portland Streetcar.
"Portland Streetcar officials have proposed a $1 fare increase to $2 as of Sept. 1," reports Progressive Railroading.
"The increase would apply to a 2.5-hour pass for use on the streetcar only. The streetcar's combined all day pass with the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Portland (TriMet) would remain the same at $5, according to the streetcar's website."
Close observers of the Portland Streetcar will recall that the system formerly operated for free, until a $1 fare was instituted in 2012. The lack of and low fares does not mean the system is without costs. According to Progressive Railroading, "fares cover about 10 percent of streetcar operational costs; the fare hike would boost that to 15 percent..." The new fare, however, will help the system expand service by 17 percent.
Read the full story: Portland Streetcar weighs fare hike
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