TriMet outlines service cuts and outreach as operating shortfall grows

Tom Mills, service planning director at TriMet, told the Washington County Coordinating Committee on Oct. 13 that TriMet is facing a structural funding shortfall and must cut service to balance its budget over the next several years.

Mills said TriMet oes not yet have enough fare revenue to match pre-pandemic levels and faces rising operating and maintenance costs, an expanding security budget and a growing backlog of capital maintenance. "We still need to cut a minimum of 10% of service by the 2027, and we are looking to do that in 2 separate cuts," Mills said.

Why it matters: TriMet is the region—s primary transit provider. Reductions in frequency, evening and late-night span, or coverage could affect long-distance commutes and late-shift workers in Washington County, and will interact with locally funded shuttles and paratransit requirements.

What TriMet described - Forward Together: Mills reviewed TriMet—s post-pandemic reallocation plan, Forward Together, which shifted some service away from downtown-oriented peak commutes toward more frequent, all-day service in suburban corridors. "We added 2 frequent service…