Editing TriMet (section)

=== 1970s ===
*1970 Tri-Met takes over the [[Blue Bus lines (Oregon)|"Blue Bus" companies]], the four companies which had been providing bus service to and within Portland's suburbs,<ref name="takesoverblue" /> adding another 88 buses to the agency's fleet.
*1973 Route numbers (or Line numbers) are adopted for the first time; previously, routes had been designated only by names.<ref name="oreg-1973aug7" /><ref name="ad-1973aug" />
*1974 The first shelters at [[bus stop]]s are installed.
*1975 The "[[Fareless Square]]" is created in downtown Portland, with the goal of reducing short automobile trips within the city core and attracting more riders.  Fares outside the Square are 35 cents.<ref name="oreg-12jan75">Colby, Richard (January 12, 1975). "Tri-Met eliminates fare zones, offers free rides downtown". ''The Sunday Oregonian'', p. A38.</ref> The zone-based fare system was discontinued at that time,<ref name="oreg-12jan75" /> but was reinstated less than four years later<ref name="oreg-27aug78">Hortsch, Dan (August 27, 1978). "Tri-Met riders will start paying higher fares on Sept. 3". ''The Sunday Oregonian'', p. B7.</ref> and remained in use until 2012.
*1977/78 The 22-block [[Portland Transit Mall]] opens on downtown's Fifth and Sixth Avenues.<ref>"Mall makes it". (December 12, 1977). ''The Oregonian'', p. A1.</ref><ref>"Mall enters future – and it works!" (March 19, 1978). ''The Sunday Oregonian'', p. M11. Excerpt: "Although the Portland Mall has [now] been officially dedicated, it has been in full operation since December."</ref>  The mall includes bus-only lanes and provides a hub to make it easier for riders to make connections.  Tri-Met also introduces the seven "sector symbols", for different areas of the transit district, used at stops on the new mall: Brown Beaver (SE), Green Leaf (S), Yellow Rose (SW), Orange Deer (W), Red Fish (N), Purple Raindrops (NE) and Blue Snowflake (E)
*1978 After 3½ years using a [[Flat rate|"flat"]] fare system, a zonal fare structure is reinstated, with three fare zones.<ref name="oreg-27aug78" /> Zone 1 consisted of [[downtown Portland]] and extending about one to two miles (3&nbsp;km) out. Zone 2 was a ring around Zone 1 out two to three more miles. Zone 3 wrapped around Zone 2 and consisted of the rest of the system within the suburbs of Portland.