Council plans letter to TriMet after proposed service reductions that remove West Linn segments

Council leaders said TriMet’s proposed service changes would materially reduce transit service into West Linn and asked staff to formalize the city’s response.

Council President Baumgartner described the TriMet presentation and how line realignments would eliminate West Linn segments, saying: "But in West Linn, the lines are just going to be gone." She said TriMet will remove certain segments and that the agency told staff it would also change lift service on affected lines; some lift service will remain on Line 35 on Highway 43. Baumgartner said she has invited TriMet to present to West Linn City Council and urged escalation to state leaders because the service shift, she said, is tied to state funding reductions.

Council asked staff and the mayor to draft a formal letter to TriMet and to consider taking the concern to state legislators. The council president offered to lead outreach to the legislature if needed. Staff and councilors emphasized that, while the city does not expect a single letter to reverse TriMet’s budget choices, documenting impacts and pushing at the state level is necessary to highlight effects on local riders and employees who rely on the lines.

Provenance: TriMet impacts first raised in council reports SEG 95–126; detailed discussion and letter direction SEG 2222–2269.