PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — TriMet will cut bus and MAX service beginning next week on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, as the agency works to close what it calls a significant long-term budget deficit and avoid a “fiscal cliff” it says would be devastating to transit service, riders, employees and the regional economy.
The agency said it is “cutting spending to bring it in line with our resources,” with most reductions so far coming from internal spending, including staff reductions. But because operations make up the bulk of TriMet’s expenses, the agency said it must also cut service by at least 10% by July 2028.
TriMet said costs for operating public transit increased an average of 56% between 2019 and 2025 and continue to rise in 2026, while revenues have not kept pace. The agency cited inflation, a drop in fare revenue because of changes in ridership, revenue streams not keeping up and insufficient funding to sustain service levels as drivers of the deficit…