More Than 40 Nonprofits Apply to Give TriMet Tickets to Poor People

By AARON MESH
TriMet transfer, soon with just one zone

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Low-income Portlanders seeking free TriMet tickets and passes should soon know where to look: More than 40 nonprofits have applied for a transit-agency program giving them fares at a 20 percent discount.

As previously reported by WW, the $1 million program is a last-minute response to public outcry at a TriMet  fare hike coupled with abolishing the Free Rail Zone. Both those changes go into effect Sept. 1.

The nonprofits were given a two-week window to apply for tickets and passes before an Aug. 24 deadline.

"It's possible for more nonprofits to get involved since it's a rolling deadline," says TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch. "We will also be extending invitations to government agencies to participate."

The full list of agencies applying for the reduced fares is below.

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