TriMet wants to hear from you about possible cuts

Changes to Fareless Square also proposed to save $13 million in new budget

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Feb 23, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (36 Reader comments)

Facing its worst budget crisis, TriMet has scheduled a series of public forums on proposed service cuts and revisions to Fareless Square.

The changes will take effect on Sept. 1. They are necessary to reduce next year’s budget by $13.5 million.

“These are the deepest cuts we’ve ever faced,” said Mary Fetsch, the regional transit agency’s communications director.

The reductions are necessary because recession-driven layoffs are reducing the payroll taxes that provide most of TriMet’s operating expenses. Although the agency has already reduced its current budget by $4 million, additional cuts must be made to balance the annual budget that begins on July 1.

The public forums come as all government agencies are facing funding problems because of the recession. The state is looking to cut $713 million out of the annual budget that ends on June 31. The budget that begins on July 1 must be trimmed by $3 billion or more.

The proposed TriMet service reductions would eliminate or reduce the frequency on some bus lines. The frequency of service on some MAX lines would also be reduced.

The proposals call for 10 of the least-used lines to be eliminated. They are: 18-Hillside; 37-Lake Grove; 41-Tacoma; 55-Hamilton; 60-Leahy Road; 63-Washington Park; 86-Alderwood; 153-South End Loop Road; 156-Mather Road; and 157-Happy Valley.

Two lines are proposed to be canceled because of nearby alternative service. They are: 33-Fremont and 74-Lloyd District/Southeast.

Changes are also being proposed for Fareless Square, the fare-free zone in downtown Portland that includes Lloyd District on the city’s east side. The free service costs TriMet an estimated $2.7 million to $3.6 million a year.

A December 2008 study identified four options for Fare Square. They are: make no changes to the square; limit the square to light-rail only; limit the square on the east side to the light-rail stations at the Oregon Convention Center or Seventh Avenue; or make a $1 fare for all bus and MAX rides that are currently free.

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