2026 Fare Policy Update

In partnership with Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB), Greater Portland Metro is engaging in a fare policy review in Winter/Spring 2026. This process is likely to result in changes to fares, and fare policies, for BSOOB and Metro on or shortly after July 1, 2026.

Background

Greater Portland Metro and BSOOB Transit last updated our fares in 2020. Prior to 2020, Metro’s fare had been $1.50 for about 10 years. As part of the 2020 fare update, Metro partnered with BSOOB Transit and South Portland Bus Service (now part of Metro’s system) to create a unified, electronic fare payment system with a $2.00 base fare. This process also resulted in the introduction of fare capping, free electronic transfers, and account-based pass programs, all of which have helped riders who ride more save money.

As part of the 2020 fare update, Metro’s Board of Directors set a goal to review fares more often to reduce the severity of fare increases when they do happen. It has now been almost six years since the last update.

Metro’s budget is funded, in part, by fare revenues. Historically, about 20-25% of Metro’s budget has been funded by fare revenues. Since 2020, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the slow rate of ridership recovery, Metro’s budget has increasingly become more reliant on direct contributions by our member communities. Updating our fares will help to reduce Metro’s burden on local funding. Metro is optimistic that changes to our fare policy will help ensure that regular riders who use Metro often will see a relatively small impact.

Goals of Fare Policy Update

Metro has several goals and expectations for our fare policy update, including:

• Generate additional farebox revenue to allow Metro to continue operating existing service levels and support future expansion
• Minimize impacts to frequent passengers
• Minimize impacts to passengers with disabilities, seniors, and other reduced fare passengers
• Explore how we can make fare payment simpler and more user friendly for our passengers; see below.

Possible Changes to Fare Policy

As part of the Fare Policy Review, Metro, BSOOB, and our consultants are considering numerous possible changes to our fare policy. These elements under consideration include:

• Changes to base fare (currently $2.00)
• Changes to express route surcharge (currently 200% of base fare for BREEZ, 250% of base fare for ZOOM Express)
• Changes to reduced fare discount (currently 50% on all routes)
• Possible addition of a microtransit surcharge (currently 100% of base fare)
• Changes to fare cap (currently 30 rides in a calendar month or 3 rides in a calendar day)
• Possible introduction of calendar based passes (e.g. an unlimited 3-day pass)
• Possible changes to passbacks/companion fares
• Changes to the free transfer window (currently 90 minutes)
• Possible introduction of an income-eligible reduced fare category
• Introduction of open fare payment (“tap to pay”)
• Reconsideration of existing cash fare payment option

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Metro increasing fares? By how much?
  Metro has not determined if a fare increase is appropriate at this time. Specific considerations will be publicized in Spring 2026.
• When would fare policy changes take place?
  Metro is targeting fare policy changes on or after July 1, 2026. More details on possible dates for fare policy changes will be publicized as the process proceeds.
• Is BSOOB Transit participating?
  Yes, Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB Transit) is participating in this policy update. Metro and BSOOB will continue to have a single fare payment system, fare policies, and DiriGo pass wallets.
• Aside from a possible fare increase, how would Metro generate additional revenue from policy changes?
  Metro acknowledges that our electronic fare payment system, which was introduced in 2020, makes it difficult for some potential passengers to ride transit, particularly visitors to the Portland area and those traveling in groups. A major goal of this policy update is to make it simple and easy for anyone to ride Metro by allowing direct credit card payments (“tap to pay”), rather than needing cash or a DiriGo account. When more people take Metro, this increases Metro’s revenues regardless of the base fare amount, and this has other long-term benefits to Metro’s federal funding allocation as well.

How can I learn more about the project?

Metro is planning three public meetings, including two in-person meetings in Portland and Westbrook, as well as one virtual meeting.

Meeting dates include:

• Thursday, April 9: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm; Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Sq., Rines Auditorium
• Saturday, April 11: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm; Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St., Elm Room
• Tuesday, April 14: 6:00-7:00 pm; Virtual Meeting

Metro staff will also bring this item to the following Metro Board of Directors meetings:

• Wednesday, April 8: 3:30 pm, Metro Marketing and Communications Committee — Similar materials as public meetings
• Wednesday, May 13: 3:30 pm, Metro Marketing and Communications Committee — Review public feedback to date and review draft final proposal
• Thursday, May 28: 4:00 pm, Metro Executive Committee — Possible recommendation of updated fare policy for full Board approval
• Thursday, June 25: 4:00 pm, Metro Board of Directors — Possible adoption of updated fare policy

There are several ways you can provide feedback on this project outside of the public-comment periods.

Contact the project manager directly:

Mike Tremblay, P.E.
Director of Transit Development
E-mail: mtremblay@gpmetro.org
Phone: (207) 517-3023

Submit Public Feedback

Metro and BSOOB Transit will conduct a full slate of public feedback on our proposed fare policy update in Spring 2026. In the meantime, you can submit your comments and concerns in the form below.