by Anonymous I was standing up front by the bus driver because I only had 4 stops to go, after just boarding. We roll on about 20 ft and the driver stops. I saw the dude on the right waving, not at a stop or not running. I eventually learned the driver st opped because he saw a bicyclist on the left at the crosswalk. By happenstance, the dude got picked up, then made no effort to pay. A "regular" citizen walked on, "thank you, appreciate it." So, it really shouldn't be any surprise to Portland why TriMet is going through budget cuts. Those machines not only accept the hop card, but cash, or chip cards too. And an explanation is accepted too, I'm sure. So, there really is no excuse for not paying, and especially to feel entitled to not even say why you can't pay. The "pandemic" is over from years ago. My neighbor is a bus driver, and explained it to me like this. Each person that rides for free adds up not to just a few bucks. But to thousands and thousands of dollars just for him. Then if you add up every other driver this is happening to, can you imagine the financial loss? Hard times? True indeed. But if you don't have gainful employment, ask yourself why? Why can't you afford $2.80? Why do you think it's your right to not pay for a service? Why can't you support yourself? Do you even care for that matter? I'll say the answer is no because the world owes him. Because this dude knows he'll get away with it and knows the drivers can't force payment either. I'm so sick of people who cannot support themselves. How do people sleep at night, and justify their lives this way? ...read more read less