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/// May 2026 ///
🚨 TriMet's Funding Crisis 🚨
TriMet is one of many transit agencies nationwide navigating a funding crisis. Rising costs and revenues not keeping up with the increases are forcing difficult decisions about service across the country.
In 2024, we asked the Legislature to increase transit funding through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund. When that funding did not pass in 2025, we announced a $300 million annual budget deficit.
Between July 2025 and March 2026, we reduced expenses by about $150 million through
- Reduced bus frequency on nine lines during lower ridership hours
- Pausing planned future bus service increases
- Internal spending cuts
- A staffing reduction
Even with those cuts, rising costs and falling revenues have outpaced our savings and pushed our deficit to $224 million today due to:
- Increasing transit operating costs—up 56% on average since 2019
- Rising fuel costs
- Payroll tax, fare and federal revenues not keeping up with cost increases
The TriMet Board has adopted a budget with $1.14 billion for service, operations, capital/maintenance projects and other requirements, begins July 1, 2026.
It reduces overall spending by about $64.5 million, mostly through 170 employee layoffs and eliminating hundreds of other positions. The reductions will affect both union and nonunion staff.
These cuts reduce the long-term deficit, but a $160 million gap remains. Without new funding, TriMet will need to make extreme cuts to our service.
We must reduce service levels by at least 10% by July 2028 to bring them in line with operating revenue. That means further service cuts will be proposed this fall for 2027.
We’re not cutting service by choice. We’re resizing the agency and the service we deliver based on the revenue we’re receiving.
Let lawmakers know how important transit is to you.
Visit trimet.org/budgetcuts to learn more about these cuts
🦉 Owl Rescue 🦉
Rail Supervisor David Merry is always ready to help when something unexpected happens on our system. As a proud parent of two birds and a lifelong bird enthusiast, David had to think fast after receiving a call about an owl stranded in the trackway near Sunset Transit Center.
With assistance from his lead supervisor, he reached the bird, which was alive but needed medical attention. David wrapped it in a jacket and safely transported it to an animal rescue organization.
In 2022, he handled a similar situation involving a wounded hawk stranded on a busy section of track near Lloyd Center.
Watch David share the story behind the owl rescue
🛗 Keeping Elevators Clean & Safe 🛗
You might have noticed that we’ve secured more elevators with card readers to help keep them cleaner, safer and more reliable.
Using some of our elevators now requires a quick 2-step process:
First, tap your valid Hop card, Hop ticket, contactless credit/debit card or phone on the black reader next to the elevator (any valid payment method works, and you won’t be charged). You can also scan the QR code on a paper bus ticket on the QR code reader underneath the device to access the elevator.
Then, press the elevator call button.
Locations with secure elevator access:
• Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave MAX Station
• NE 60th Ave MAX Station
• NE 82nd Ave MAX Station
• Clackamas Town Center Transit Center Park & Ride
• Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center Park & Ride
• Gresham Central Transit Center
• SE Bybee Blvd MAX Station
• SE Park Ave MAX Station
• Sunset Transit Center MAX Station
• Sunset Transit Center Park & Ride
IMPORTANT: The elevator card reader is not a Hop reader. You still need to tap the green Hop Fastpass reader on the train platform or inside the bus to pay your fare.
💭 SURVEY: Share Your Opinions About TriMet 💭
We’d love to hear from you! No matter how often you ride, we want to know about your opinions and experiences with TriMet.
We’ve partnered with ETC Institute, an independent research firm, to conduct this survey. It should take about 10 minutes to complete, and your responses will remain confidential. As a thank-you for completing the survey, you can enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card.
💡 Rider Tip: Easier Access at PDX💡
Just landed at PDX? Skip the rideshare. The new baggage claim escalator drops you off closer to the MAX station 🚉 ✈️
💳 "Explore Portland" Hop Card Giveaway 💳
We're giving away 10 of these "Explore Portland" Hop cards!
They are exclusive, limited-edition fare cards that celebrate Portland with visuals of the city, bridges and transit.
Employees of TriMet and immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of employees are not eligible.
📸 Pic of the Month 📸
The TriMet bus joined the Bike Bus! We were invited to ride along with Coach Balto and friends during their ride to school, with the bus leading the way 🚌 🚲
Watch the video of the Bike Bus here
Have photos you’d like us to consider for this newsletter? Send them to us at ridersclub@trimet.org
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