TriMet's latest budget proposal would eliminate Saturday service on three MAX light rail lines, drawing sharp criticism from commuter advocacy groups who say the cuts would disproportionately harm low-income riders.
TriMet released a draft budget framework Thursday that would suspend Saturday MAX service on the Yellow, Orange, and Red lines beginning in September, a move the agency says is necessary to close a projected $38 million operating deficit for fiscal year 2027.
The cuts, if approved by the TriMet board at its August meeting, would affect an estimated 14,000 Saturday riders and eliminate service to several transit-dependent neighborhoods including Kenton, Brentwood-Darlington, and portions of Gresham.
"This isn't a minor inconvenience," said Claudia Ferris, executive director of Portland Transit Riders United. "For a lot of people, the Saturday MAX is how they get to work. Full stop. TriMet is treating weekend service like a luxury when it's actually a lifeline."
TriMet spokesperson Damien Orr defended the proposal, saying the agency had exhausted most other cost-reduction options and was still grappling with ridership levels that remain 17% below pre-pandemic numbers on the affected lines. "These are difficult choices," Orr said. "We are committed to restoring full service once our financial picture improves."
The proposal drew immediate backlash from Portland City Councilor Anita Vasquez-Penn, whose district includes much of the Yellow Line corridor. "TriMet continues to ask our most transit-dependent residents to bear the cost of institutional mismanagement," she said in a statement. "I'll be urging the board to reject these cuts and return to the table."
A public comment period on the draft budget runs through July 17th. TriMet will hold community meetings on July 8th at the Gresham City Hall and July 13th at the Beaverton City Library.