Survey responses, ridership trends and other other factors are under consideration, as proposals for larger service cuts coming later in 2026 begin to take shape
TriMet is using what we learned from the community and our Service Priorities Survey to help inform changes to our transit service, as we work to resolve a $300 million annual budget gap. More than 4,800 people across the Portland metro area shared their thoughts in the survey, which was open from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31. Responses reflected the community’s desire to preserve core aspects of our transit service, so those who rely on it most will continue to have safe, reliable options to connect with jobs, education, shopping, services and other needs.
TriMet’s budget shortfall is the result of rising costs and inflation, less revenue from fares since the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting rise in remote work, and funding uncertainty at the state and federal levels. We announced in July plans to reduce spending to close the budget gap. We have started to make cuts internally, including reducing administrative expenses across our organization, but we must also bring our service in line with revenues.
Cutting service is a last resort and never what a transit agency wants to do, but by reducing spending now, we avoid more severe cuts down the road, which would affect many more riders. Also, by building a strong partnership with our community through engagement, we look forward to making these difficult decisions with their values and priorities at top of mind.
Fall community engagement
Over more than five weeks in fall 2025, TriMet engaged riders and community members through our Service Priorities Survey. We also held online and in-person open houses, at venues in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. Those 13 open houses attracted hundreds of people. Each open house visitor was encouraged to complete the survey and provide feedback. More than 4,800 people took the survey. TriMet appreciates the thought, care and time that the people who completed the survey contributed to this effort. Your feedback matters, as we face difficult decisions on upcoming service cuts.
Service Priorities Survey
Our Service Priorities Survey asked participants to consider nine options and rank each, based on what they felt we should do, first through last. It encouraged them to consider the potential toll on people – or riders – and potential cost savings for TriMet. And it reminded them that proposals to adjust our fixed-route bus service would result in similar adjustments to our LIFT paratransit service, including in terms of the areas that are served and the time of day and night when service is available.
What we learned
Survey respondents supported changes that improved operational efficiency, while preferring that TriMet preserve frequency and span of service. Comments showed strong empathy for riders who are transit dependent.
The three options with the largest number of “do this first” responses were:
- Reduce or eliminate service where lines are close together
- Shorten the MAX Green Line to run between Clackamas Town Center and Gateway
- Stop funding support to other transit agencies.
Participants saw these as common-sense measures that would preserve TriMet’s core network of transit service. Some viewed them as less-permanent, or options that could potentially be reversed in the future. Respondents preferred TriMet maintain frequency on high ridership routes and hours of service and preserve service to critical destinations such as medical care and colleges.
The options that earned the largest number of “do this last” responses were:
- Reduce how often MAX trains arrive
- Reduce how often buses arrive on Frequent Service lines
- Reduce or eliminate some bus service after 8 p.m.
- Reduce or eliminate some bus service on weekends.
Respondents prioritized late-night and weekend services, as well TriMet’s Frequent Service, where buses and trains arrive every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day. Their comments expressed concern for shift workers and families, as well as late-night road safety. The responses also showed concern that cutting those types of services would affect reliability and discourage ridership.
What’s next?
TriMet is using the survey responses, along with ridership trends and other other factors, to develop specific proposals for the service cuts. In January, we will share those proposals with the public and conduct another round of engagement. The feedback gathered will help TriMet finalize plans we will present to our Board of Directors for consideration in March and April 2026. The service changes will take effect later in 2026. TriMet will conduct additional outreach before making more cuts, likely in late 2027. TriMet aims to balance our budget by July 1, 2028. Stay up to date at trimet.org/servicecuts.