Protesters Rally In Response to TriMet Fare Increase

City Hall this afternoon drew dozens of protesters concerned about recent changes at TriMet.

Today, of course, marked the first day of TriMet's nickel fare increase, a move that raised the cost of riding a TriMet bus across two zones to $2.05. Meantime, TriMet has continued to cut services even as it prepares to ask voters for a new $125 million bond in November.

While denouncing the service cuts and the fare increase, protesters shouted, "We are the bus riders! The mighty, mighty bus riders."

A group called OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon organized the event. "Give us what we need," shouted Shannon Olive, an OPAL organizer. "More buses!" rally attendees shouted back.

Commissioner Amanda Fritz, a proud bus rider, threw her support behind protesters, reminiscing about the reliable English bus lines of her childhood.