Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland's famed Fareless Square doesn't entirely live up to its name any more.  The board of the regional transit agency, TriMet, voted Wednesday to limit fareless privileges to light rail and streetcars. April Baer reports. 

What the vote means is that Fareless Square bus riders are out of luck.

TriMet staff convinced the board that it's become impossible for bus drivers to enforce fares once their vehicles cross over into full-fare territory.

Dozens of people testified against the change. A group called the Transit Riders Union collected 1400 petition signatures in opposition.

Southwest Portland resident Jean Roy told the board she sees it as another in a series of setbacks for bus service.

Roy's a regular bus-rider because light rail MAX trains don't come to her neighborhood.

Jean Roy  "I see all the money being poured into MAX, and I really feel like a second class citizen."

But Board members said they felt the benefits of free bus service through Fareless Square no longer outweigh the costs. They voted six-to-one in favor of the change, which takes effect in January.