Fair and Equitable Transit

Transit has been at the forefront of one of the most important revolutions of our country’s history — the push for civil rights. From the opposition to segregated rail cars in the late 19th Century to Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus, which sparked the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, the fight against discrimination and segregation has been a fight for equal access to services and opportunity. TriMet is dedicated to making our transit system a place where everyone can ride without experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment. We are deeply committed to serving all people of our community.

Part of embracing this growing diversity means that we provide service equitably, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one way we ensure that we deliver. One of our core business objectives is to allocate our resources in a way that low-income populations and communities of color receive high-quality service. TriMet’s Title VI policies are meant to ensure that we pay close attention to the impacts on minority and low-income riders when we make decisions about service and the cost of fares.

TriMet is committed to providing meaningful access to programs, services and benefits for persons with limited English proficiency, or LEP.

In 2019, TriMet updated its Language Access Plan and Implementation Schedule after an extensive review of the LEP populations in the TriMet service district and their needs. This plan guides TriMet on how to serve LEP populations.

Language Access Plan PDF

Transit Equity & Access Advisory Committee (TEAC)

The Transit Equity & Access Advisory Committee is made up of a diverse cross-section of community leaders. The 14-member panel, created in May 2013, meets monthly to provide input and guidance to TriMet’s General Manager on fairness and equity considerations.

Learn more about TriMet’s Transit Equity & Access Advisory Committee

Reports, documents and links

U.S. Department of Transportation Environmental Justice website

Access Transit Program

Recognizing that access to public transit is access to opportunity, TriMet has established a two-pronged program to help low-income individuals access transit. These programs, funded at $1.2 million for 2014-15, provide low-cost or no-cost fares to non-profit and community based organizations and social service agencies, which distribute these to their low-income clients.

The grants mean increased independence, access to employment and employment resources, and improved community connections for thousands of low-income members of the area community.

요금 지원 프로그램

More than 40 participating non-profit social service organizations purchase fares at reduced cost for low-income recipients. TriMet considers new applications as they are received.

Fare Relief Program

The second phase of the program provides small grants to eligible non-profit organizations so they can provide low-cost fares to additional low-income clients beyond those served normally. TriMet works with the regional organization Ride Connection to review applications and award grants.

In spring 2013 TriMet awarded more than $250,000 in grants to serve new low-income riders. Grants range from $900 to $22,500 and were provided through Ride Connection to 16 local non-profits and community-based organizations.