House Bill 2025 addresses statewide transportation funding needs, including a 0.2% increase in public transit funding

TriMet urges lawmakers to pass House Bill 2025, the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package, to avoid significant cuts to the public transit service that Oregonians depend on across the state. 

We are grateful to the Oregon lawmakers who have assembled a transportation package that balances funding for all modes of transportation. The bill will generate additional funding for transit through a 0.2% increase in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund payroll tax — phased in over five years. That increase in funding is essential to maintaining public transit service for those who rely on it throughout our region and state. 

TriMet reduces spending, operating budget deficit

The proposed increase to the payroll tax does not solve all of the  financial challenges facing TriMet. We will still need to address a financial gap of approximately $380 million over the next eight years to resolve our projected operating budget deficit. However, the increased transit funding that would come with passage of HB 2025 will give us more time to pursue financial efficiencies, spending reductions and other solutions to avoid service cuts.

With our adopted FY2026 budget, TriMet is already making cuts to discretionary spending and other changes that will reduce our projected operating budget deficit for the year ahead from $74.4 million to $50.2 million.

Avoid cuts to the service that benefits everyone

If HB 2025 and the phased 0.2% increase in the payroll tax for transit does not go into effect, TriMet will need to cut 27% of our service starting July 1, 2027. That amounts to eliminating up to 45 of our current 79 bus lines. 

Transit benefits everyone by supporting a healthy, livable community and a thriving local economy. It eases congestion, decreases traffic collisions and reduces air pollution. It puts people to work, gets workers to jobs, and connects customers to businesses and services. In fact, every $1 invested in transit generates $5 for a local economy, according to research by the American Public Transportation Association. And, public transit provides access and independence for those who cannot drive, including youth, older adults and people with disabilities. 

TriMet believes that every Oregonian deserves access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation options — including public transit. We urge legislators to pass the 2025 transportation package to help preserve transit service.