TriMet Proposes Bus And MAX Service Cuts To Close $300 Million Budget Gap – KXL

PORTLAND, Ore. –

TriMet is proposing significant bus and light rail service changes beginning in August 2026 as part of a plan to close a projected $300 million annual budget shortfall.

The proposal would reduce or modify service on 35 bus lines, shorten the MAX Green Line, and eliminate bus service in parts of South Gresham, West Linn and Tualatin. The changes are aimed at reducing duplication between bus and MAX routes while maintaining service where ridership is highest.

TriMet officials say the proposed cuts, combined with about $150 million in previously identified spending reductions, are necessary to stabilize the agency’s finances.

“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 statement. “Despite some necessary service reductions, our goal remains the same – to ensure long-term financial stability.”

According to TriMet, rising costs driven by inflation, lower fare revenue and insufficient long-term funding have contributed to the budget gap. Without changes, the agency has warned it could face a fiscal cliff that would force deeper service reductions.

Under the plan, TriMet would prioritize maintaining Frequent Service lines and access to key destinations such as schools and medical facilities. Some bus routes with very low ridership would be discontinued, and service frequency would be reduced during periods when fewer people are riding.

The MAX Green Line would be shortened, and bus service would be eliminated along Stafford and Salamo roads in West Linn and Tualatin-Sherwood Road in Tualatin. TriMet says many of the route changes are designed to shift service rather than eliminate it entirely, preserving transit access in areas with higher demand.

The agency is targeting Aug. 23, 2026, for most of the changes, earlier than initially planned. TriMet officials said launching the new service plan in late summer would allow the majority of changes to take effect before high school and college students return to campus. Additional adjustments could follow later in 2026 and into 2027.

The proposal also includes a slight adjustment to the service boundary for TriMet’s LIFT paratransit program. TriMet estimates the change would affect fewer than 0.5% of LIFT trips.

TriMet is asking riders and community members to review the proposal and provide feedback by Jan. 31. The agency has launched an online survey and scheduled in-person and virtual open houses across its tri-county service area throughout January.

The cuts and changes are described in detail here.

Public comment will also be accepted during TriMet Board meetings in January, February and March. A special board listening session is scheduled for March 18 in downtown Portland.

The proposed service plan is based on ridership data and feedback collected in late 2025, when more than 4,800 people responded to a TriMet survey about how the agency should approach one of the largest service reductions in its history. Respondents said TriMet should first reduce overlapping routes, preserve Frequent Service lines and maintain access to critical destinations.

TriMet’s Board of Directors is expected to review the plan in March and vote in April. If approved, the service changes would be included in the agency’s budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.