A transit advocacy group is pushing TriMet to institute a reduced fare for low-income riders.

In a report released Wednesday, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon called for the transit agency to offer $28 monthly fares to low-income riders, the same as the discounted passes currently offered to senior citizens and riders with disabilities. The group also planned to rally in support of the proposal outside TriMet's downtown Portland headquarters later Wednesday.

OPAL's said its proposal would cost between $4.5 million and $9 million, depending on how many people use the program.

The issue has taken on new urgency against the backdrop of rising housing costs, said Orlando Lopez, an organizer for OPAL's Bus Riders Unite campaign.

"The effect on low-income communities has been disproportionate," Lopez said. "We feel, considering that transit is the second-biggest cost for households, that we can ease that burden by lowering transit fares for low-income, transit-dependent people."

TriMet earlier this year launched its own study of a potential low-income fare program, saying the forthcoming launch of its Hop Fastpass electronic fare system could facilitate a low-income fare with lower administrative costs than a paper-fare system and less opportunity for fraud.

It hired a consultant to look at a range of options, including different income qualifications and levels of subsidy. The report from Four Nines Technologies is expected later this year.

The Seattle area's King County Metro introduced a low-income fare in 2015. As of April, more than 28,000 residents had signed up, and the program costs $3.1 million a year.

Under OPAL's proposal, TriMet service area residents would qualify if they make less than twice the federal poverty line. That would be $23,760 for an individual and $48,600 for a family of four.

OPAL also proposed measures to pay for the program, including a new income tax, a push for more advertising revenue, raising fares on the WES commuter rail line and charging for parking at TriMet's Park & Ride facilities.

In outlining its proposal, TriMet said a low-income fare program would require a dedicated, ongoing funding source, and that costs would be shared with "regional partners." It said it doesn't have the resources to fund such a program.

OPAL said it believes TriMet could cover the cost by finding new revenue sources without relying on funding from other governments or cutting service.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus