[Nfb-or] FW: [C F 4 A] contacts for Tri-met and otherinformation
T. Joseph Carter
carter.tjoseph at gmail.com
Tue May 3 10:37:19 UTC 2011
(This may not work, I'm having technical difficulties.)
Tri-Met currently offers a monthly pass for $88. If Tri-Met were
raising the price of their LIFT service to match that of the regular
rider's fare, that would be quite understandable. Presently it costs
less to ride LIFT for a month than it does to ride the fixed-route
bus system.
Though the price increase is substantial, I would be hard-pressed to
fault the fare increase so long as the monthly pass remained
available. LIFT's monthly pass also functions as a standard Tri-Met
pass to encourage service users to take fixed-route service when
possible.
I know some people who use fixed-route service when the walk is short
enough, but fall back on LIFT when their disability renders them
unable to make the trip.
Tri-Met has been mucking with this stuff for awhile now—looking to
disqualify LIFT riders, discourage use of the service, etc. Another
thing, some of their fare inspectors are no longer accepting Medicare
cards for the "Honored Citizen" fare, though I've been told more than
once upon inquiry that this is not supposed to be the case.
I'm not sure any of this is or isn't our fight in the NFBO, but I for
one am watching the situation carefully. If Tri-Met wants to reduce
fraud by checking ID for what is effectively a less than half-price
fare, that's fine as long as they get their act together. If they
need to raise the cost of LIFT to be in-line with a general fare,
again I have no objection. If they want to limit LIFT ridership to
those with a genuine need to use the service, again I see no problem
(even if I do wonder who in their right mind would use it given the
alternative of fixed-route service!)
I do think these things are something to keep an eye on, however to
make sure that they do not go further than is reasonable. It may
ultimately not be our organization that does something about it if
they cross some of those lines, but I can imagine a point might exist
where we would get involved as a chapter and potentially as a state
affiliate.
Portland's riders are notorious for demanding that fares never go up
and service never be cut (at the same time), but Tri-Met lately has
been keen to spend money foolishly while complaining that it must
BOTH raise fares AND cut service. Foolishly like the $40,000 per bus
to announce in both English and Spanish that the bus is turning after
it already has, for example.
Joseph
On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 08:17:14PM -0700, Mike Freeman wrote:
>Tami:
>
>First, please understand that I wholeheartedly support lift access for the
>mobility impaired. I'm not speaking against the fact that cuts might have a
>severe impact upon them although, in truth, I believe they were shielded
>from increased costs that others had to pay so in a way, although the
>increase is severe, it only brings the lift charges into line with the rest
>of Tri-met's offerings.
>
>The larger matter, however, is that unless a blind or visually impaired
>person has an additional moibility impairment, he/she doesn't use the lifts.
>WE of NFB deal *only* with blindness issues. Hence, it isn't our fight, at
>least as a formal organizational position.
>
>It might be objected that if we help the mobility impaired, they will help
>us in the transportation initiatives we want and need. But it usually
>doesn't work that way. They do their thing; why should not we do ours?
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
>Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 1:25 PM
>To: 'NFB of Oregon mailing list'
>Subject: Re: [Nfb-or] FW: [C F 4 A] contacts for Tri-met and
>otherinformation
>
>Mike,
>
>I'm probably missing a lot of background behind your last comment there, so
>I'm a little confused.
>
>Would you mind taking some time to explain your reasoning on the point that
>it ain't our fight?
>
>Thanks!
>
>Tami Smith-Kinney
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>Of Mike Freeman
>Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:55 PM
>To: 'NFB of Oregon mailing list'
>Subject: Re: [Nfb-or] FW: [C F 4 A] contacts for Tri-met and
>otherinformation
>
>Yes but a regular Tri-met pass will now cost almost that much anyway.
>
>Besides, this ain't our fight.
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-or-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>Of Eric Calhoun
>Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 4:19 PM
>To: nfb-or at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [Nfb-or] FW: [C F 4 A] contacts for Tri-met and other information
>
>
>
>Original Message:
>From: "Sean Chambers-Ray" <seanlray at frontier.com>
>To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
>Subject: [C F 4 A] contacts for Tri-met and other information
>Date:
>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:36:39 -0700
>
>Hi all,
>
>
>
>This seriously needs a lot of prayer for the below reasons. The elderly and
>disabled are about to get dumped and duped by this agency. it really does
>seem like they just care about money. Look at what they are going to do with
>the lift!
>
>
>
>Blessings,
>
>
>
>Seany
>
>
>
>Call to Action #1
>
>Unfair Price Increases for TriMet LIFT Customers
>
>(Proposed Increase September 2011)
>
>
>
>Currently a LIFT customer can purchase a LIFT monthly pass for $52.00
>(Unlimited access to LIFT service)
>
>Proposed change for September 2011 no monthly passes available and LIFT
>fairs going from $1.85 to $2.25 a 40-cent increase each way an 80-cent
>increase round trip (Pay trip by trip no more monthly passes)
>
>
>
>A person working (5-days a week-(2-trips per month to the doctor-(4-trips
>per month to the grocery store-(5-misc. trips per month e.g., drug store,
>visiting friends, movies, Rose Parade, etc.
>
>
>
> To work 5-days a week per month (round Trip)
> $96.75
>
> Doctor Visits (round trip 2-times a month)
> $9.00
>
> Grocery Shopping (round trip 4-times a month)
> $18.00
>
> Misc. Trips, e.g., drug store, movies, etc (round trip 5-times a
>month)
> $22.50
>
> Total monthly LIFT expense
> $146.25
>
>
>
>
>Remember as of now a LIFT monthly pass can be purchased for $52.00 and the
>above again costing $146.25 starting in September-an increase to people with
>disabilities needing LIFT service claiming due independence thus, if you can
>afford to maintaining due quality of life you will have to pay an
>additional"$94.25" per month
>
>
>
>September 2011 a person able to take fixed-route purchasing a monthly pass
>taking any amount of trips only has to pay:
>
>
>
> Cost of trips per above example LIFT versus fixed-route:
> Fixed-route
> LIFT
> Increase for LIFT over fixed-route
>
> 2-Zone Monthly Pass (Fixed-route bus , MAX, and WES)
> $81.00
> $146.25
> +$62.25
>
> All-Zone Monthly PASS Unlimited TriMet Service on (Fixed-route Buses,
>MAX, and WES)
> $92.00
> $146.25
>
> Limited trips
> +$54.25
>
>
>***Take an additional 10-LIFT rides per month round trip, e.g., needed
>additional doctor appointments, clinics, or just because you want to; your
>right to public transportation, but, now add an additional $45.00 to the
>amount above for a total of $191.25 for a month's service -- public
>affordable due transportation?
>
>
>
>Tell your story or pay! Say no to unfair fees for people with disabilities
>
>*TriMet General Manager-Neil McFarlane <mcfarlan at trimet.org>
>
>*TriMet Board of Directors <runnionk at trimet.org>
>
>Or --contact the Board and TriMet General Manager by phone @ 503-962-4831
>
>*<issuestrimet at gmail.com>
>
>Contact all of the above to ensure being heard!
>
>
>
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