PORTLAND, Ore. — Transit agency TriMet would shorten one of its light rail lines and eliminate or alter some 35 bus routes under a proposal unveiled Monday, Jan. 5, to address a projected $300 million funding shortfall. The agency says those cuts, which would be effective in August, would come after it has already identified about $150 million in other savings.
“The proposals focus on efficiency and cost savings, while continuing to provide the most service possible for the people who rely on us every day,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said in a press release. “Despite some necessary service reductions, our goal remains the same – to ensure long-term financial stability, so that we continue providing vital transit service to our region for decades to come.”
Changes would include cutting the light rail Green Line to service between Clackamas Town Center and the Gateway Transit Center in east Portland, eliminating through service to downtown Portland. Passengers will be able to continue downtown by transferring to Blue or Red Line trains. Meanwhile, 11 bus lines would be eliminated, while 24 others would see shorter routes or reduced hours of operation.
Full details on the proposal are available here. Also included at that site is a survey for public feedback and schedules for a series of open houses to gather public reaction. Those are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, through Thursday, Jan. 29, and are taking place both on line and at a series of in-person meetings. Comments will be accepted through Jan. 31.
TriMet says further adjustments may be needed later in 2026 and are also likely in 2027.
Legislation that would have addressed the budget shortfall was passed by the state legislature last fall, but is on hold after opponents gathered enough signatures to place a referendum on the plan on the ballot this fall.
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