June 22, 2005

TriMet approves annual budget

Includes work on I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail;
September fare increase to offset record diesel prices

TriMet's Board of Directors today adopted the agency's $367.6 million FY 2006 operating budget and the $107.5 million capital budget that includes new buses, and continuing work on the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail and Washington County Commuter Rail projects. The budget also includes a September fare increase to help keep pace with inflation and offset record high diesel prices.

FY06 budget highlights:

• 39 new low-floor buses totaling $13.8 million - buses come fully equipped and include five cameras and automatic stop announcements.
• 26 Accessible Transportation Program (ATP) vehicles totaling $1.8 million.
• 6ervice increase in ATP's LIFT program for ADA mandated service for elderly and disabled riders.
• $3.3 million increase in diesel fuel budget due to record high diesel prices, bringing the fuel budget to $10.1 million. TriMet buys 6.5 million gallons annually. The price per gallon for its fixed route service will increase 47 percent, from $1.02/gallon to $1.50/gallon in the FY06 budget.
• Many single car Airport MAX Red Line trains will become two-car trains to add capacity between Beaverton Transit Center and Portland International Airport.
• TriMet increases its annual contribution by $400,000 to a total of $2 million to pay 2/3rds of Portland Streetcar operations now extended to Riverplace.
• If the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gives its approval, the 14.7-mile Washington County Commuter Rail line between Wilsonville and Beaverton could begin construction.
• Pending FTA approval, the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project will move into Final Design.

September 1, 2005 fare increase approved

At today's meeting, the Board also approved a fare increase that helps keep pace with inflation and offset record high diesel prices, which have risen over $3 million this year. Most cash fares will increase 10-cents and most monthly passes will increase $4.

Books of 10 tickets: 2-Zone, All-Zone and Youth/Student will increase $1.50; Honored Citizen and LIFT will increase $1.00.

Half-month passes: 2-Zone, All-Zone and LIFT will increase $2.00; Youth/Student and Honored Citizen will increase $1.00.

The all-zone Day Ticket will increase $.25 to $3.75.

"This budget keeps us moving forward on our regional rail system and helps us better respond to the swings in diesel prices," said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.

PIP efficiency savings

The budget brings the total annual Productivity Improvement Process (PIP) savings to $20.5 million in operating and capital spending. The six-year PIP program takes front-line employee suggestions that have changed the way the agency does business and delivers service more efficiently. In September bus and MAX schedules will be adjusted to better match ridership with service and capacity. Some low ridership trips will be eliminated.

The budget year begins July 1, 2005.