American Dream

PORTLAND, OR - The continued ability of Portlanders to ride TriMet buses and light-rail trains for free as part of the 31-year-old Fareless Square program is under review because of a proposal from an agency budget advisory committee to save money and combat “undesirable behavior.” That proposal to review the program is contained in the committee’s April 12 report. The report said the agency is wrestling with increased costs and needs to find money in order to provide “adequate financial security.” One way to do so is to reduce or end Fareless Square. Although the TriMet committee made a similar recommendation last year, this year the proposal appears to have legs — judging by the city’s action and TriMet’s plans for a committee to study just this topic. But spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said no decision will be made without an extensive public process.