Proposed Equity Analysis Policy Changes
We’re updating our Equity Analysis policies, and we want your feedback. Take a look at the proposal below and let us know what you think by September 12.
Overview
Whenever TriMet proposes changes to fares or significant changes to service, we are required by the federal government to conduct a Title VI Equity Analysis. This analysis examines whether the changes would result in unfair and disproportionate effects on minority and low-income populations. The chart below illustrates the basics of how we conduct the analysis.
Major Service Change Policy
What does this policy do?
The Major Service Change policy determines what types of service changes require us to conduct an Equity Analysis.
What changes are proposed?
Currently, if we propose an increase or decrease of 25 percent to the length of a route or the amount of service provided, this is considered a Major Service Change. This applies to each individual service change proposal only.
We are proposing changing this standard from 25 percent to 15 percent. In other words, smaller service changes would still trigger an Equity Analysis.
The 15 percent threshold would apply to all changes that occur on a line over three years. So, if a line sees a 5 percent change three years in a row (for a total of 15 percent), it would still qualify as a Major Service Change.
Why make these changes?
Lowering the threshold acknowledges that changes smaller than 25 percent can still be significant to riders, both in terms of service improvements and service cuts. Additionally, making this a standard that applies over three years recognizes the cumulative effect of incremental changes.
Disparate Impact (Minority) & Disproportionate Burden (Low-Income) Policies
What do these policies do?
These policies determine how we measure whether proposed changes would result in unfair and disproportionate effects on minority and low-income populations.
What changes are proposed?
Currently, in the event of a Major Service Change on a line, the minority and low-income populations living in the service area of that line are compared to the average for the entire TriMet service area. Any difference between the line as a whole and the TriMet service area as a whole is noted as significant.
We are proposing changing this standard from any difference to a 3 percentage point difference for both the Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden policies.
Additionally, we are proposing adding the following language to the policies:
“Additional considerations to complement the quantitative Disparate Impact/Disproportionate Burden analysis may include evaluating impacts to accessing employment, education or health care for minority/low-income populations.”
Why make these changes?
The data used for Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden analyses has margins of error, meaning that small differences between numbers are not necessarily real differences. Raising the standard of what constitutes a real/significant difference takes this into consideration, while still maintaining enough sensitivity to identify potential disparities.
Incorporating considerations such as employment, education, or health care would also make the analysis more meaningful, and would respond to feedback heard from the community when we have conducted outreach on these policies.
Download the Draft Program Update and Give Us Your Feedback
We are updating our Equity Analysis policies and we want your feedback. Please review the information and let us know what you think by September 12.
