Portland Streetcar Considers Fare Hike, Expanded Service

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.

1 minute read

May 22, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"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.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 in Progressive Railroading

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

15 minutes ago - Cambridge University Press

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

Blocked, Restored, Blocked Again — Housing Funds in Legal Limbo

Since Trump took office, the administration has blocked multiple affordable housing funding streams. Here's a look at which funds have been frozen, which have been reinstated, and which are in the courts.

1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of dirty pipe at oil drilling operation.

Mapping Groundwater Risks from Orphan Wells Across U.S. Aquifers

A new USGS study reveals that more than half of the nation’s documented orphan wells lie within aquifers supplying the vast majority of U.S. groundwater, posing widespread risks of contamination from aging, unplugged infrastructure.

2 hours ago - EcoWatch

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.