Dozens urge lawmakers to protect transit, trails and rail in public hearing on House Bill 2025

A public hearing on House Bill 2025 — the 2025 transportation funding and policy package — drew dozens of Oregonians to tell the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment that stable, statewide revenue is needed to prevent steep transit cuts and to expand safe walking, biking and rail options.

The testimony ranged from frontline transit operators and disabled riders to county officials and rail advocates. Many speakers urged passage of the proposed increase in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) payroll tax (phasing the tax from 0.1% to 0.3%) and asked the committee to pursue additional revenue and amendments to fund off‑street community paths, electrification, Safe Routes to School and expanded rail service.

Why it matters: witnesses said the package would keep buses running, maintain crucial medical trips and preserve weekend and evening service that rural and low‑income riders depend on. Speakers warned that cuts would strand people who lack cars and called for amendments to make sure funds reach under‑served communities.

Supporters described transit as a daily lifeline. Mary Longoria, financial secretary‑treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, testified, "Therefore, I strongly urge you to pass House Bill 20 25, which includes the full stiff increase to 0.3%." Sam Dessue Jr., general manager of TriMet, told the committee that without the package "we would need to cut 27% of our bus services beginning July 2027," a reduction he said could eliminate up to 45 lines in TriMet's system.

Transit managers, operators and riders Transit agency leaders and bus operators described services the STIF…