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Hello Rider,
We know public transit is important to you, and we need your help to prevent service cuts. Let your lawmaker know more funding is needed for public transit in Oregon!
The current level of funding proposed in a 2025 Oregon transportation package is not enough to avoid cuts to public transit service and will leave tens of thousands of Oregonians stranded without the transportation they depend on.
Inflation has increased the cost of providing public transit service by more than 50% in the last five years alone. Without a phased increase of 0.4% over the next eight years in the employee payroll tax that funds transit, most of Oregon's public transit agencies will be forced to significantly cut service.
TriMet currently has 78 bus lines. Without a phased increase of 0.4%, we would need to eliminate up to:
- 34 bus lines by July 2027
- 7 more bus lines by July 2029
- 10 more bus lines by July 2031
Remember, public transit benefits everyone:
- It keeps people moving, from those who rely on the access it provides, to those who benefit from the reduced traffic congestion when others take the shared ride on a bus or train instead of driving.
- It gets people to jobs, education and services, helping our local economies. In fact, every $1 invested in transit generates $5 for a local economy*.
- It employs thousands of Oregonians directly and supports hundreds of thousands more private sector jobs across the U.S. that build parts and develop systems and technology to keep transit running.
- It reduces CO2 emissions and makes our air cleaner by taking cars off the road.
*American Public Transportation Association
Every message to elected officials makes a difference.
Here’s a sample email that you can use:
Suggested subject Line: I support more funding for public transit
Dear [Legislator's Name],
I am writing to urge you to support increased funding for public transit in Oregon. The current level of funding proposed in the 2025 Oregon transportation package is not sufficient to avoid service cuts.
Public transit plays a vital role in our communities by keeping people moving, reducing congestion, providing access to jobs, education, and services and supporting our local economies. It benefits not only those who rely on it for transportation but also the broader community.
Inflation has significantly increased the cost of providing public transit services, making it essential to secure additional funding to avoid cuts to services that would leave tens of thousands of Oregonians stranded without reliable transportation.
I urge you to prioritize increased funding for public transit in the transportation package to ensure that Oregon's public transit systems can continue to serve their residents effectively.
Thank you for considering my request. Improving public transportation in our state will have a positive impact on the lives of Oregonians.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Thanks for your support. Your voice matters.
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