"Free Rail Zone"

From Blog.Oregonlive.com, "Prepare to ride 'Free Rail Zone'"

Come January, Fareless Square will become the "Free Rail Zone."

That was quick.

TriMet announced the name change this morning, just a couple weeks after it asked riders to help them come up with a new moniker.

Of course, it appears TriMet already had three finalists in mind before it went to the public for ideas.

The TriMet survey asked: “If it were up to you to name it, what would you call the area where you can ride MAX and streetcars for free? (Four words or less, please).”

Of course, after you entered your suggestion and hit the “Next” button, TriMet asked what you thought of three possible names: Fareless Zone, Free Rail Zone and Fareless Rail Zone.

Spokeswoman Bekki Witt said TriMet received 300 or so suggestions. So, did they mean nothing in the final analysis?

"We thought we might get something we hadn't thought of," Witt said.

In the end, Free Rail Zone came out the winner.

On Jan. 3, 2010, Fareless Square will become a free zone for MAX and Portland Streetcar only. Bus riders will have to pay fare from downtown to the Lloyd Center.

About 56 percent of respondents liked Free Rail Zone, while 33 percent liked Fareless Rail Zone and 11 percent preferred Fareless Zone, Witt said.

"The goal with the new name is to clearly describe what service is free in downtown Portland and the Lloyd District," Witt said.

TriMet will add new Free Rail Zone emblems on customer information displays at rail stations within the zone boundary.

Still, there was some good suggestions from readers. A couple of our favorites: "Rose City Line" and "Stephen Colbert Square."

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From KPTV.com, "Fareless Square Gets New Name"

PORTLAND, Ore. -- TriMet decided Monday on a new name for Fareless Square.

Starting Jan. 3, 2010, the zone where passengers can ride the MAX and Portland Streetcar for free will be known as Free Rail Zone.

Currently, bus, MAX and Portland Streetcar rides are free in Fareless Square, which encompasses the downtown area and some MAX stops on the east side of the Willamette River.

After the change, bus rides will no longer be free; however, passengers can still use the MAX and streetcar in the 1.35 square-mile zone.

TriMet conducted an online survey in early October to seek feedback on the new name. About 56 percent of people voted for Free Rail Zone, 33 percent voted for Fareless Rail Zone and 11 percent preferred Fareless Zone.

TriMet spokeswoman Becki Witt said the goal of the new name is to clearly describe what service is free in downtown and the Lloyd District.

This winter, TriMet will add new free rail zone emblems on customer information displays at rail stations.

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From Beaverton Valley Times, "TriMet turns Fareless Square into ‘Free Rail Zone’"

TriMet’s Fareless Square, a three-decade program providing free bus and train rides in downtown Portland that comes to an end in January, is now the Free Rail Zone.

Beginning Jan. 3, only MAX light-rail rides in downtown will be free. Bus riders will have to pay fare even downtown.

TriMet selected the new name through a public poll. About 56 percent of those who answered the poll favored “Free Rail Zone” over “Fareless Rail Zone” (favored by 33 percent) and “Fareless Zone” (11 percent liked that one).

TriMet will add new Free Rail Zone emblems on customer information displays at rail stations within the zone that covers most of downtown and parts of the Lloyd District. (Click here to see a Fareless Square map.)

Fareless Square was created 34 years ago to help address air quality issues downtown as well as reducing car trips in the area. At that time, the transit system consisted only of buses, but has since expanded to four MAX lines and the Portland Streetcar.

With the opening of the new Green Line to Clackamas Town Center, most of the MAX trains run north and south, along the same route as the former bus mall. TriMet estimates that about 95 percent of the trips taken in Fareless Square could be on MAX trains instead of buses.

As part of the change, TriMet created a new annual pass for senior citizens and people with disabilities for travel on buses in the new Free Rail Zone.

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From Portland Business Journal, "Fareless Square renamed"

TriMet’s Fareless Square will be renamed the Free Rail Zone in January.

In August, Tri-Met’s board voted 6-1 to stop free bus rides within Fareless Square, which stretches essentially from Pioneer Courthouse Square east to the Willamette River. The change takes effect Jan. 3.

Fareless Square has existed for 34 years. The move was designed to address air quality issues, reduce car trips downtown and increase transit use.

TriMet says its new Green Line train service running along downtown’s Fifth and Sixth avenues, which is free for downtown riders, makes up for the lost bus service.

The agency that oversees Portland’s transportation system estimates that 95 percent of all fareless bus trips can be instead taken on the new MAX trains or on the city’s streetcar system.

Starting Jan. 3, Free Rail Zone will become a free zone only for MAX and Portland Streetcar.

TriMet conducted an online survey in early October, seeking feedback on new names. About 56 percent of respondents liked Free Rail Zone, while 33 percent liked Fareless Rail Zone and 11 percent preferred Fareless Zone.

This winter, TriMet will add new Free Rail Zone emblems on customer information displays at rail stations within the zone boundary.