TriMet is one of many transit agencies nationwide navigating a funding crisis. Rising costs and declining revenues are forcing difficult decisions about service across the country.
In 2024, we asked the Legislature to increase transit funding through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund. When that funding did not pass in 2025, we announced a $300 million annual budget deficit.
Between July 2025 and March 2026, TriMet reduced expenses by about $150 million through
•Reduced bus frequency on nine lines during lower ridership hours
•Pausing planned future bus service increases
•Internal spending cuts
•A staffing reduction
Even with those cuts, rising costs and falling revenues have outpaced our savings and pushed our deficit to $224 million today.
•Transit operating costs are up 56% on average since 2019, including rising fuel costs
•Payroll tax, fare and federal revenues are not keeping up with cost increases
The TriMet Board has adopted a budget with $1.14 billion for service, operations, capital/maintenance projects and other requirements, begins July 1, 2026.
It reduces overall spending by about $64.5 million, mostly through 170 employee layoffs and eliminating hundreds of other positions. The reductions will affect both union and nonunion staff.
These cuts reduce the long-term deficit, but a $160 million gap remains. Without new funding, TriMet will need to make extreme cuts to our service.
We must reduce service levels by at least 10% by July 2028 to bring them in line with operating revenue. That means further service cuts will be proposed this fall for 2027.
We’re not cutting service by choice. We’re resizing the agency and the service we deliver based on the revenue we’re receiving.
Let lawmakers know how important transit is to you.
Visit https://t.co/HMMKGX8Pya to learn more about these cuts.
There are teams and machines that keep things moving for TriMet trains and buses. Tony Martinez has more in this Behind the Wheel >> https://t.co/ZqLmxy9irN
It’s the end of the line for our Type 1 trains. After nearly 40 years of service, they’re broken down at Radius Recycling so their materials can live on in other projects.
We have a few left in service, but the best way to guarantee seeing one is to come to our farewell party this Saturday 🥳 You can take a picture in the cab, leave a message on the exterior of the train, order special Type 1 merch and learn more about their legacy.
Saturday, April 18
12 p.m.-3 p.m.
Holladay Park at NE Holladay St. and NE 11th Ave (next to Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave MAX Station)
Details at https://t.co/nVHbC9Hnsf
Tired of staying at home during the rain? 🌧️
Pull up to these nine spots for fun indoor activities. They're all close to MAX and bus lines 🚈 🚌
https://t.co/Zd5wBWuaVF
Our service proposals now make changes to 34 lines, with the proposals for the following 10 lines updated based on recent feedback from riders and the public:
10, 16, 19, 34, 38, 58, 63, 96, 97 and 156.
No changes will be made to lines 22 and 23 at this time.
Service proposals remain centered on network efficiency, combining lines or reducing where lines run near others, eliminating some bus lines and moving routes.
Our goal is maintaining as much service as possible while focusing our service investment where it is needed and used most.
The proposals are online now.
To provide feedback, you can e-mail the TriMet Board of Directors or pre-register to give virtual or in-person testimony:
Wednesday, March 18:
Board listening session
Wednesday, March 25:
Board public hearing
Go to https://t.co/Gg1KLRHwCv learn more about the service changes and cuts, and how to share feedback with TriMet’s Board.
All but one of the proposed changes will take effect Aug. 23, 2026, if approved by TriMet’s Board.
We thank our community for the feedback we received to help inform the updated proposals and shape the future of our transit service.
Here's a question we often get: "How does TriMet know that I paid my fare when I tap my phone or credit card?"
Answer: Our Customer Safety Supervisors use handheld devices that quickly scan your Hop card, credit/debit card or phone to make sure you have a valid fare.
Read more on the blog.
https://t.co/4o6E2dR9ve
Bus service changes start this Sunday, March 1
🚌 Bus Service Reductions 🚌
8-Jackson Park/NE 15th Buses will arrive less often before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays, and before 10 a.m. on weekends.
48-Cornell/Hillsboro Buses will arrive less often before 7 a.m. and after 11 p.m. on weekdays, and before 10 a.m. and after 11 p.m. on weekends.
75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard Buses will arrive less often after 6 p.m. on weekdays.
76-Hall/Greenburg Buses will arrive less often before 6 a.m. weekdays and weekends. On weekends, service to Beaverton will end 30 minutes earlier.
🚌 Route Changes 🚌
24-Fremont/NW 18th
Service on N Kerby Ave and N Russell St will be eliminated for faster trips between North, Northeast and Northwest Portland.
📅 Schedule Adjustments 📅
4-Fessenden Schedules adjusted by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time.
40-Tacoma/Swan Island Schedules adjusted by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time.
54-Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy Schedules adjusted by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time.
87-Airport Way/181st Schedules adjusted by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time.
See all the changes and schedules at https://t.co/1w13I0BORh
TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. announced today a key decision regarding Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes being designed for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project.
The decision directs the project team to advance design for BAT lanes along nearly all seven miles of SE 82nd Avenue between NE Lombard and SE Clatsop. This balances operational improvements with community input and keeps the project on track to receive federal funding. However, this approach on BAT lanes could add to the overall cost of the project and project partners must identify and commit additional funding for the extent of BAT lanes by this July.
The one intersection where BAT lanes will not be considered is at SE 82nd and Powell Boulevard due to impacts to the broader transportation network, project funding and schedule.
Learn more about the project online at https://t.co/MKe2xXsIY5
Our Bus Maintenance service workers sweep, mop, vacuum and disinfect buses every day to keep our vehicles clean ✨🧼🚌
Learn more about how these behind-the-scenes heroes are creating a comfortable and consistent experience for bus riders!
Read more on the blog: https://t.co/UpxNhabd0B
On February 4, we’ll be honoring Rosa Parks and her contributions to the civil rights movement. We will not be collecting fares on our buses, MAX and LIFT.
@PDXStreetcar and @ctranvancouver will also join us in not collecting fares.
Art by Paola De La Cruz.
Our study and evaluation of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project’s Business, Access and Transit (BAT) lanes has progressed a lot. We’ve been digging in deeper on the "More BAT lanes" concept.
Check out our webpage to learn about the latest updates.
https://t.co/ghRuQdKmDb
Weigh in on Planned Bus and MAX Service Changes and Cuts
We know you depend on us, and service cuts are always our last resort. But with rising costs and less money coming in, we must reduce spending now to avoid more severe cuts down the road, which would affect many more riders.
In July 2025, we announced a $300 million annual budget gap. We have already reduced spending by about $150 million and that’s before the larger service changes and cuts we’re now proposing.
We reduced spending mostly through cutting internal expenses, reducing staff and pausing future bus service increases.
Our new service change proposals center on network efficiency, combining lines or reducing where lines run near others. We propose eliminating some bus lines and moving routes to maintain as much service as possible.
This focuses our service investment where it is needed and used most. While we are keeping frequency on higher used lines, some proposals reduce how often buses arrive at times when fewer people are riding.
Go to https://t.co/QnpCJ5OpfT to learn more about the service cuts, share your feedback this month and help us shape the future of our transit service. The survey closes Jan. 31.
Free rides on buses, MAX and Portland Streetcar start at 8 p.m. tonight! 🎉
🚉 MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow Line trains will operate two to three hours later into the service day than usual and arrive at stations every 30 minutes 🔵 🟢 🟠 🟡
🚌 We’ll also operate our late night/early morning bus service along MAX lines. The buses do not run through the night, but they will provide some extra service on New Year’s Eve.
Free rides sponsored by @oregonianscu 👏
Plan your trip at https://t.co/PwPvGPuYke
Ride TriMet buses, MAX and Portland Streetcar free after 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve! 🎉
🚉 MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow Line trains will operate two to three hours later into the service day than usual and arrive at stations every 30 minutes 🔵 🟢 🟠 🟡
🚌 We’ll also operate our late night/early morning bus service along MAX lines. The buses do not run through the night, but they will provide some extra service on New Year’s Eve.
Free rides sponsored by @oregonianscu 👏
Plan your trip at https://t.co/PwPvGPuYke
Our Committee on Accessible Transportation – CAT – is looking for new members. The committee does important work advising us on how we can make transit more accessible to seniors and riders with disabilities!
Learn more and apply: https://t.co/oeUhP2MqXA