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Tia York Announces Historic Service Reductions for TriMet to Address Significant Budget Deficit

TriMet is implementing a historic wave of service cuts and consolidations starting this Sunday to address a significant budget shortfall. Tia York, the agency's Manager of Media Relations, stated that the changes include adjusting 33 to 34 bus lines and eliminating two routes entirely. The MAX Green Line will also be shortened, requiring riders to transfer at the Gateway Transit Center rather than continuing to downtown Portland. These reductions are the largest in the agency's 57-year history, driven by a $158 million to $224 million budget deficit. The deficit is caused by stagnant post-pandemic ridership, which has only recovered to 70% of pre-pandemic levels, and rising operational costs for fuel, security, and labor. York noted that while the agency initially planned further cuts for 2027, it has decided to pause those plans to evaluate the impact of this first round. TriMet is now seeking long-term sustainable funding from the state legislature to ensure reliable transit service for future generations.

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