TriMet is aiming to reduce its spending to close a $300 million annual budget gap, due to years of rising costs and decreased revenue from fares. The agency has begun making administrative cuts that may include layoffs, but "we also need to cut service to bring expenses in line with our revenue."

By taking action now, TriMet is ensuring it has sufficient funds to cover bus and rail service in the future, which allows it to continue providing transit to its riders who rely on it to access jobs, schools, services, and other destinations across its 533-square-mile service district.

According to a release from TriMet Public Information Officer Mark Miller, starting on November 30, and again on March 1, the agency will reduce the frequency of bus arrivals on a select number of lines. Larger cuts will be needed to reduce service by at least 10%. 

TriMet has launched an online survey and will be holding open houses in October. The online survey, accessed through trimet.org/servicecuts, asks people to weigh in on several options for TriMet to cut service and save money.

TriMet Faces Fiscal Cliff Without Action

Starting on November 30, TriMet will begin reducing the frequency of bus arrivals on a handful of lines during times when fewer people are riding. Reducing bus or MAX service would also impact some LIFT Paratransit riders. 

Similar frequency cutbacks are planned for March 2026 on a few more bus lines, ahead of deeper cuts in late 2026 and late 2027. Feedback received through the online survey and open houses will help TriMet shape its future service.

TriMet is seeking respondents to weigh in on options that involve:

• Reducing the frequency of bus or MAX train arrivals, all day or during specific hours.

• Eliminating or reducing service during lower ridership times or in areas with fewer riders.

• Removing lines that overlap with other services.

• Ending support to other transit providers that connect with TriMet service.

TriMet's Service Priorities Survey will stay open through October 31, 2025. Feedback will help inform service proposals that we will share for another comment period in January/February 2026.

"Unless we take action now to reduce spending — including by cutting some transit service — TriMet will hit a 'fiscal cliff' in the coming years," Miller wrote in a statement. "To avoid a worst-case scenario, we're cutting our internal spending and cutting service to match our expenses with our revenues now. If we allow our budget gap to keep growing, we would be forced to make more drastic cuts in the future."