As gas prices fluctuate, TriMet fares remain unchanged, offering an affordable alternative to paying for fuel, parking, maintenance and other costs of car ownership
If you’re feeling the pain at the pump, you’re not alone. At $4.97 per gallon, Oregonians are paying the fourth highest price for regular gas in the nation, according to the latest numbers from AAA. The spike in gas prices comes at a time when plenty of people are already feeling squeezed by higher costs. We’re paying more for everything from groceries to utilities, but it doesn’t always have to be this way. Riding TriMet can help protect your bottom line and deliver savings that add up.
Gas prices began to climb when the Iran war began on Feb. 28. Seven weeks later, with fuel now hovering near $5 per gallon at local stations, Oregonians will pay about $50-$75 to fill up their tank. If you go through a tank of gas each week, you could shell out $300 or more for fuel alone over the course of a month.
Riding TriMet will quickly chip away at the costs of fuel, parking and vehicle maintenance. Even riding the bus, MAX or WES a few times a week instead of driving, can help you save. Here’s how:
Hop Fastpass® keeps your costs low: With TriMet’s Hop system, monthly fares for Adults are capped at $100. It’s $2.80 for 2 ½ hours and $5.60 per day, but when you reach $100 in a month, you ride the rest of the month for free. For everyday riders, that averages out to about 12 days a month where transportation doesn’t cost you a dime.
It’s important to know that you can enjoy the cost-saving benefits of Hop without a Hop card. Simply tap your bankcard to the green dot on the Hop reader. When you use the same card every time you ride, the Hop system will calculate your fare, ensuring you never pay more than you should to ride for a day or all month long.
Riding with reduced fare saves even more: In recent years, TriMet has experienced record-setting participation in our reduced fare program, which brings down monthly costs even further. In fact, when you’re riding with our Honored Citizen and Youth reduced fares, your monthly costs are capped at just $28. That’s less than half of what you’ll pay to fill up your tank one time with current gas prices! Older adults, people with disabilities, people with low incomes and veterans are all eligible. See if you qualify!
Many employers invest in commuter options: Regional employers purchase transit passes for some 50,000 workers in our area. If you are one of those employees, you may be able to ride our system at no additional cost to you! If you’re looking to save money on gas, talk to your employer about transit benefits. The state of Oregon requires Portland-area companies with 100 or more employees to provide incentives that reduce car trips to work.
Get there safely and easily with TriMet
Our public transit system welcomes everyone, whether you’re a TriMet insider or a first-time rider. You can help ensure a smooth trip by following the simple steps below.
Visit trimet.org: Our website, trimet.org, is the ideal starting point for any ride on our transit system. That’s where you can plan your trip, check for alert and use TransitTracker to see where your bus or train is on a map. Want even easier access? Save trimet.org as a web app on the home screen of your Android or iPhone.
Keep our number handy: Call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to reach TriMet Customer Service between 7:30 and 5:30 p.m. any day of the week. They can help with trip planning and provide immediate assistance to keep your travel plans on track. Use the same number – 503-238-7433 (RIDE) – and press 9 to be connected with our Security Operations Center 24 hours a day. In an emergency, always call 911.
Check out our tips for riding: If you’re new to TriMet, welcome aboard! We encourage you to visit trimet.org/howtoride for step-by-step instructions, including a video that walks you through the process, from planning your trip to stepping on board. Even if you’re a seasoned transit rider, it’s a good idea to visit the page and see what’s new, as we’re always working to make it easier and more convenient to ride.
Adding it all up
People who shift from driving to riding transit save an estimated $13,200 per year, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). When you add in costs for parking, those numbers are even higher for people who live in the Portland area. APTA estimates we can save $14,000 or more per year, by parking a car and taking transit instead. And that doesn’t even consider the costs of insurance and maintenance.
Start riding and saving today! Visit trimet.org, and we’ll see you on board soon!