TriMet outlines proposed service cuts
Feb 19, 2009 at 2:13 PM 5 Comments
Here at Commuter Central we are big fans of all the transportation choices here in the city. We often call out TriMet, in particular, for the huge job they do moving hundreds of thousands of people everyday. Unfortunately, the region's transit agency is facing an operational budget shortfall. Because of the rise in unemployment payroll taxes, which are a big part of TriMet's revenue stream, are lower than projected.
All this means that TriMet will probably be forced to reduce service on some bus and MAX lines and eliminate some bus lines altogether. Although this is sure to be unpopular, TriMet is still asking for customer feedback. They are holding a series of open houses and fielding comments through their website and customer service line.
For more information on the proposed service reductions, read the alert on TriMet's website.
If you are looking for context, or to join an on-line discussion of the service cuts, there is a lively debate taking place on the blog, Portland Transport.
5 Comments
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Denise Johnson
March 17, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Please don't discontinue the number #33 Fremont. I take this bus everyday and if cut I would have to walk about 1/2 to another bus stop and then end up taking 2 buses to get to work. That would make my morning commute much longer, not to mention having to get up much earlier. The #33 Fremont is usually packed in the mornings and evenings. Why would you cut this line?
Scott Cohen
March 17, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Denise - Thanks for your comments and feedback. We'll pass them on to TriMet.
Amy C
March 25, 2009 at 9:03 AM
I will join many others who have asked that TriMet retain bus #33. There is no reasonable alternative. Bus 33 runs east-west along Freemont to downtown Portland. All other buses run north-south and cross Freemont, but none go downtown. Also, those north-south buses are almost 1 mile apart.
I find it odd that TriMet just bought 40 new buses while they're cutting service all over the region.
Tori Multon
April 20, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Please don't cut the 33 still. :/ I don't care about going to Emmanuel, I care about getting downtown, or out into SE Portland from the NE.
Andy M.
April 29, 2009 at 4:41 AM
TriMet is whining about cutting service because some buses have too low ridership. What I don't understand is: Why doesn't TriMet add a few smaller size buses to their fleet? Those could run on the lesser traveled routes and/or during off-peak hours on some routes instead of cutting service completely.
Has no one at TriMet figured out that buses are made in more than one size?
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