In 2025, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) announced its plan to reduce service on multiple bus routes and Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) lines over the next several years. The proposed service changes, which include routes corresponding to Portland State University’s campus, address a $300 million annual budget deficit. Most service changes were set for an August 2026 launch.
TriMet hosted several hearings throughout 2025 and 2026, and distributed a survey to gather rider feedback on proposed cuts. This was in an effort to reshape service changes to best suit the needs of riders. Based on ridership data and feedback, TriMet finalized its plan, resulting in the reduction of 34 lines beginning Aug. 23, 2026.
Reliable public transportation is crucial for students who use it to commute to campus. Deficits in transit access could add stress and longer commute times to students’ already busy schedules. According to PSU Admissions, over 50% of students and staff use public transportation to get to and from campus. With these cuts, some students have to reexamine their options for getting to campus…