Portland, Ore.-based TriMet adopted its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) budget following more than two months of broad community outreach, review, and approval from Multnomah County’s Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission.
The $485 million operating budget, which will take effect July 1, 2013, touts budget priorities aimed at providing better service for riders, upgrading the bus fleet, and safety and maintenance improvements.
Budget priorities include:
• Accelerating new bus purchases, eliminating all older high-floor buses and reducing the average age of the fleet to the industry standard of eight years by 2017; $8.8 million for three years.
• Increasing bus service on 14 lines to address schedule reliability and rush hour overcrowding; $2.1 million annually.
• Continuing the Access Transit Fare Programs (previously called the Low-Income Mitigation Program); $1.3 million annually.
• Hiring eleven operators to comply with the Hours of Service policy for bus operators; $1 million a year.
• Increasing the contribution to union unfunded defined benefit pension fund; $4 million in FY14, $2 million in Fiscal Year 2015.
• Increasing light rail vehicle and track maintenance, plus improving lighting and station renewal along the MAX system; $9.5 million.
• Improvements to portable restroom locations for operators, construction of a new restroom facility, and acquire property for a new layover/restroom location $1.2 million.
• No fare increase (a loss of $2 million in revenue) or service cuts planned.
“We are committed to reinvesting in our transit system; updating our aging fleet; and make targeted improvements for both our riders and employees, to ensure long-term reliability, safety and comfort,” said TriMet GM Neil McFarlane.
The operating budget is contingent upon the arbitration award for the expired contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union being upheld and TriMet’s new contract offer is agreed upon.
TriMet FY 2014 budget includes bus, safety upgrades
The $485 million operating budget, which will take effect July 1, 2013, includes accelerating new bus purchases; increasing bus service on 14 lines; increasing light rail vehicle and track maintenance; and improving lighting and station renewal.
More Bus
Fed Leaders Highlight Growth, U.S. Manufacturing at ENC
The visit is part of the SF Fed's ongoing engagement with major employers and industries across Southern California and, more broadly, the western U.S. to better understand regional economic conditions and business outlooks.
Read More →
Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
Read More →
ADA Compliant Transit: Easier, More Dignified Travel for Every Passenger
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon
Deck: In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
Read More →
Keolis Contract Extended for Valley Metro's East Valley Fixed-Route Bus Service
Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.
Read More →
Iowa DART Prepares for June Bus Network Launch
The new network reflects extensive input from riders and the community through Reimagine DART on what matters most in public transit — and those priorities are reflected in the changes ahead.
Read More →
Seattle Speeds up Service on Denny Way
A new bus lane project aims to improve reliability on one of King County Metro’s busiest and most congestion-prone corridors.
Read More →
WMATA Adopts FY2027 Budget, Boosts Service Without Raising Fares
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
Read More →
Bus Coalition Leaders Push to Protect Transit Funding in Critical Reauthorization Year
Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
Read More →
City of Everett, Community Transit Advance Transit Consolidation Effort
In the coming months, the parties will develop an interlocal agreement for the city’s annexation into Community Transit’s district. The proposal will be considered by the Everett City Council and the Community Transit board this fall, said officials.
Read More →