Public transit agency, TriMet, to reduce services due to insufficient backing for Oregon's Transportation Reinvestment Package.
TriMet, Portland's public transit agency, is facing a challenging financial situation due to the failure of House Bill 2025 (HB 2025), also known as the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package (TRIP), to pass the Oregon Legislature. This failure has directly led to a series of service cuts and budget reductions starting from November 2025[1][2][3][5].
The consequences of HB 2025's failure for TriMet are substantial. The agency faces a projected $300 million gap between expenditures and revenues over the next several years, threatening long-term financial sustainability[1][2][3]. To mitigate this, TriMet announced a plan to reduce about 10% of its services over two years[3][5].
These cuts include reducing the frequency on some Frequent Service lines during evenings and mornings, reducing nighttime service on the FX2-Division bus line, and potential elimination of underperforming routes and reductions to the MAX Green Line by March 2026[3][5]. Budget reductions also include cutting $159 million from service, $93 million from non-service spending, and seeking $48 million in new revenue[3].
The cuts aim to avoid more drastic, sudden cuts in the future and avert a fiscal cliff predicted in 2030[1][2][3][5]. TriMet's General Manager Sam Desue Jr. emphasized the necessity of these early cuts to maintain vital transit service for riders, including those traveling to jobs, schools, and essential services[1][3][5].
Governor Tina Kotek called for a special legislative session starting August 29, 2025, to address transportation funding, but as of late July 2025, the lack of legislative action forced TriMet to begin cuts independently[1][3][5].
Before HB 2025's failure, the bill had proposed a 0.2% increase in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund payroll tax phased in over five years, which would have provided necessary funding to help maintain service and close part of TriMet’s projected financial gap[4]. The absence of this increased funding leaves TriMet and other transit agencies without sufficient resources to sustain current service levels.
Further service cuts will be required between May 2026 and August 2027, likely including additional cuts to frequency on at least a dozen bus lines, eliminating other bus lines or portions of lines, and reducing the frequency on all MAX lines during some parts of the day[6].
The budget for safety and security has tripled in the last several years, as it has expanded its contracted unarmed safety and security workforce. Proposed service cuts for March 1, 2026, include eliminating some low ridership bus lines, eliminating evening service on lower ridership bus lines, changing routes on some bus lines to increase efficiency, and reducing the MAX Green Line route[7].
Contract expenses will be cut by five percent annually while the agency works to mitigate any expense increases in those contracts. The special session called by Gov. Kotek is scheduled to begin on Aug. 29[8].
TriMet will also enact a hiring freeze, with only mission-critical positions being filled. If TriMet is not successful in gaining new revenue, the agency will need to identify $48 million in additional service and spending cuts[9]. The anticipated service cuts add up to about an 18 percent overall reduction in MAX service and about an eight percent reduction in bus service[10].
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has called for a special session to address funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation, local jurisdictions, and transit districts[11]. TriMet began taking steps during the development of the 2026 budget to reduce the deficit, identifying $24.2 million in savings via cuts to discretionary spending[12]. The workforce will be reduced by at least 140 operators and additional staff reductions in maintenance and support functions[13].
[1] OregonLive [2] The Oregonian [3] KGW [4] OPB [5] Willamette Week [6] KGW [7] The Oregonian [8] KGW [9] OPB [10] KGW [11] OPB [12] The Oregonian [13] The Oregonian
- TriMet's General Manager Sam Desue Jr. emphasized the necessity of early cuts to maintain vital transit service, as the failure of HB 2025 has left the agency facing a projected $300 million gap between expenditures and revenues.
- In an attempt to mitigate this financial crisis, TriMet announced a plan to reduce about 10% of its services over two years, which includes cuts to Frequent Service lines, nighttime service on the FX2-Division bus line, and potential elimination of underperforming routes.
- The consequences of HB 2025's failure extend beyond TriMet, affecting the general-news, politics, and finance spheres, as lack of funding for transportation could impact economic growth and business operations.
- Governor Tina Kotek has called for a special legislative session to address transportation funding, hoping to provide necessary resources and prevent further cuts to services in the transportation industry, ensuring continued sustainability for businesses, jobs, and essential services.
