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Commission backs ordinance enabling Metro staff to issue citations for fare nonpayment, lowers minimum forfeiture to $5
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Summary
After extensive discussion about equity, safety and data, the Transportation Commission voted to recommend a substitute ordinance that would authorize Metro operations supervisors to issue citations for fare nonpayment and reduce the minimum forfeiture from $50 to $5.
The Transportation Commission on April 9 recommended approval of a substitute ordinance that would authorize Metro Transit supervisors and specified Metro staff to issue citations for nonpayment of bus fare and lower the municipal minimum forfeiture for such citations.
Staff and Metro representatives said the change is intended to give Metro a non‑police enforcement option for fare collection while removing direct enforcement duties from bus operators. Eric (staff) told the commission the change would “remove some of the elements that require bus-driver involvement” and allow supervisors to handle citations after training with court services and the city attorney’s office.
The proposal drew extended comment, with commissioners and community members raising concerns about data, equity and the practical effects of enforcement. Commissioner Denise Jess, Commissioner Kaylee Jamieson and others asked for more data on nonpayment and stressed risk of disproportionate enforcement. Commissioner Chris McHale and others supported the change as a policy tool that could be used sparingly and would reduce police involvement.
City staff described how the current ordinance (minimum $50) already allows citations but requires police or bus-driver testimony in court; the substitute would decrease the minimum forfeiture to $5 and create a civilian enforcement option while requiring training and oversight before citations would be broadly deployed.
Motion and vote: Commissioner Chris McHale moved approval of the substitute ordinance; Commissioner Robbie Weber seconded. The commission recorded a roll‑call tally reported in the meeting as 8 yes, 1 no (one commissioner absent), and the motion carried.
Next steps and safeguards: Staff and commissioners emphasized that the ordinance would not automatically trigger widespread ticketing. Metro staff said the likely initial steps would be rider education and signage; any robust citation program would be expected to return to the commission for program details and training content before implementation.
Why it matters: The ordinance would create a non‑police enforcement path for fare collection and clarify who may issue municipal citations. Commissioners pressed staff for better nonpayment data and stressed that any program must include training and equity oversight before active enforcement begins.
