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 revenues have supported and warned of consequences if the tax increase is not enacted. Alan Pollock, general manager for Cherriots and vice president of the Oregon Transit Association (OTA), said STIF has been "transformational," enabling weekend and evening service in many communities. Lane Transit District general manager James Snauten described a Florence service frequency change that led to a 105% ridership increase. Brian Vitulli, general manager of Tillamook County Transportation District, recounted continuing to transport dialysis patients to treatment after the local clinic closed and said STIF enabled those lifesaving trips.

Several operators and union members recounted the human impacts of transit. Tyler Hellner, a bus operator and union liaison, told the committee that riders often build social support on buses; he described a passenger who returned home by bus after his father died and who found comfort from a fellow rider. Jan Campbell, a longtime TriMet user, explained the linkage between fixed‑route and paratransit service and urged sustained funding to avoid paired cuts.

Rural, veterans and medical transport Multiple rural transit providers and managers said STIF was critical to their operations. Melissa Metz, general manager of Coos County Area Transportation District, reported that in 2024 her agency provided 4,194 rides for veterans totaling 31,955 miles, with a rural veterans healthcare transportation grant covering roughly 65–70% of the demand until funding ran out in December 2024. David McCall and other rural board members described continuing to provide out‑of‑county dialysis trips for 11–12 people multiple times per week after a local clinic closed.

Trails, active transportation and local business impacts Advocates for walking, biking and off‑street trails urged that HB 2025 dedicate new dollars for Oregon Community Paths and other off‑street connections. Testimony from small business owners and neighborhood advocates tied transit and walking infrastructure to economic activity: Park Rose coffee shop owner Lily Burnett said a new TriMet stop already increased foot traffic; Chelsea Taylor, co‑chair of the Oregon Trails Coalition, and multiple speakers asked the committee to fund community paths via a proposed luxury vehicle tax amendment.

Rail, privilege tax and planning Passenger and freight rail advocates, including members of AORTA (Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates) and other rail speakers, supported a 0.5% vehicle privilege tax provision in HB 2025 dedicated to rail. Andrea Haverkamp and Xavier Stickler said dedicated rail funding would help expand frequency and on‑time performance for the Amtrak Cascades corridor and enable long‑term planning.

Safety, lane width mandate and design concerns Several safety advocates and a medical expert urged the committee to remove or revise a proposed mandate that identified freight routes maintain motor vehicle lane widths of at least 12 feet. Dr. Christopher Hale, an emergency medicine physician, told the committee that wider lanes often encourage faster driving and longer crosswalks, and argued the 12‑foot mandate would reduce engineering flexibility that can improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. Other speakers asked the committee to prioritize traffic calming, physical barriers, sidewalks and protected bike lanes over highway widening.

Opposition and equity concerns Not all testimony supported the bill as drafted. Laurie Kimmel, a veteran, testified, "I am against h b 20 25. H b 20 25 puts a severe strain on disabled veterans," saying some veterans live on low, fixed incomes and would be harmed by tax increases. Some speakers called for geographic equity in spending and for the package to prioritize rural and low‑income communities rather than large highway megaprojects.

Requested amendments and next steps Witnesses repeatedly asked the committee to: (1) adopt the 0.3% STIF increase now with a path to 0.5% in future sessions, (2) dedicate funding for Oregon Community Paths and off‑street connections (several witnesses suggested a luxury vehicle tax for that purpose), (3) preserve and expand Safe Routes to School and Great Streets funding, (4) keep rail funds dedicated and (5) remove or soften the 12‑foot lane width language so local engineers can adopt best‑practice safety designs.

The committee opened the hearing at 4:10 p.m. and accepted oral testimony; the chair said public comments may also be filed on OLIS within 48 hours. The hearing closed with the committee thanking participants and noting additional hearings to follow.

Ending: The public hearing on HB 2025 concluded after hours of testimony that highlighted how intertwined transit, trails, rail and safety investments are to everyday mobility across Oregon; many speakers asked lawmakers to adopt a package that preserves existing service while directing new revenue toward off‑street connections, electrification and equitable access.