More drastic changes and cuts to westside TriMet service proposed for August 23
- Jordan Del Valle Tonoian
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
In response to a budget shortfall, TriMet is proposing comprehensive changes to its network, including eliminating and rerouting service which could effect your travel habits. On the Westside, changing services include:
20 - Burnside/Stark
76 - Hall/Greenburg
45 - Garden Home
37 - Lake Grove
38 - Boones Ferry Rd
96 - Tualatin / I-5
97 - Tualatin-Sherwood Rd
LIFT Paratransit Service
Read on to learn more or visit TriMet's website.
Why cuts?
TriMet is facing a serious budget shortfall and needs to continue reducing service. These changes are significant and will affect a lot of riders, on the Westside and elsewhere in our service area.
While TriMet has already reduced its annual expenses by about $150 million through internal cuts and pausing plans to increase bus service, the transit agency needs to reduce service in 2026 and 2027 to close a projected budget gap and stabilize its finances.
The proposals in this round of changes are based on ridership data as well as the feedback TriMet heard from riders and the community in fall 2025:
Preserve service as much as possible by first reducing where buses and trains run on the same route or close together.
Keep Frequent Service lines that make our service convenient and reliable.
Maintain transit to reach critical destinations like medical care and schools.
These proposals include eliminating some bus lines and moving routes to maintain as much service as possible; focusing on where it is needed and used most. Some proposals reduce how often buses arrive at times when fewer people are riding.
You can learn more about TriMet’s service proposals on their website and weigh in via a digital survey by January 31.
TriMet is also holding a series of open house events this month. Attendees can learn more about how these service changes will affect them, talk to TriMet staff and share feedback.
Timeline
These changes would go into effect August 23.
Comments and survey responses are due by the end of this month, January 31. TriMet will present the changes at a series of board meetings with an ultimate vote on April 22.
How can I weigh in?
In person:
English / Spanish Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026,
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Beaverton Library, Room A
12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton
English / Spanish
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026,
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tualatin Library Community Room
18878 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin
View more in-person open house opportunities on TriMet's website.
Online:
Complete the digital survey before January 31.
Virtual open house:
English / ASL Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
English (older adults and people with disabilities) Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Spanish / LSE Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
TriMet will also present and discuss the proposals at three upcoming board meetings:
March 18
March 25
April 22
More details, including how to attend or testify at these meetings in-person, virtually, or testify in writing can be found on TriMet's website.
What’s changing?
Beaverton and Northwest Portland
Lines 20 and 76.
Extend Frequent Service Line 76 to replace Frequent Service Line 20 service between Beaverton Transit Center and Sunset Transit Center.
Due to lower ridership, every other Line 20 bus runs between NW 24th Place and Sunset Transit Center, with buses arriving every 30 minutes. Line 20 continues to run between Sunset and Gresham transit centers.
Tigard and Southwest Portland
Lines 39 and 45.
Eliminate Line 39.
Extend Line 45 to replace Line 39 on SW Terwilliger Boulevard, SW Boones Ferry Road, SW Stephenson Street and SW 35th Avenue.
Eliminate Line 45 service between Hillsdale and Downtown Portland and between Washington Square and Tigard Transit Center with other bus lines serving those areas.
Eliminate Line 45 weekend service and reduce weekday trips to run only during high school commute hours.
Line 43 continues to provide service between Barbur Transit Center and Marquam Hill, serving SW Spring Garden Street and SW Bertha Boulevard.
Lake Oswego, Tigard and Tualatin
Lines 37, 38, and 96.
Eliminate Line 37.
Move Line 96 off I-5 to replace Line 37 on SW Boones Ferry Road, serving the Barbur Transit Center via Mountain Park and PCC Sylvania.
Adjust Line 96 to run only during morning and afternoon rush hours and serve limited stops between Barbur Transit Center and Downtown Portland.
Shorten and adjust Line 38 to run between Tualatin Park & Ride and Barbur Transit Center. Eliminate service between McNary Parkway and Downtown Portland.
Tualatin, West Linn, and Oregon City
Lines 76 and 153.
Eliminate Line 76 service between Legacy Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin and Oregon City Transit Center and eliminate Line 153 due to low ridership.
Tualatin and Sherwood
Line 97
Eliminate Line 97 due to low ridership.
LIFT Paratransit Service Area Changes
Eliminating lines 97-Tualatin-Sherwood Rd and 153-Stafford/Salamo, as well as 76-Hall/Greenburg Rd service between Tualatin, West Linn and Oregon City, changes the LIFT boundary.
Spread the word
Graphics and flyer
Westside Transportation Alliance has created graphics and a flyer you can download and use to spread the word about these proposed changes. Click on the images below to view and download them on Google Drive.
Pre-written email and newsletter content
You can copy and paste the email below, filling in the appropriate info in place of the highlighted text.
Subject | TriMet service cuts proposal changes [list Lines serving your audience with proposed changes: 20, 76, 45, 37, 38, 96, 97, and LIFT paratransit service] starting August 23 |
Salutation,
In response to a budget shortfall, TriMet is proposing comprehensive changes to its network, including eliminating and rerouting service which could affect your [commute, travel, etc] habits. Proposals include nearby Lines [list Lines serving your audience with proposed changes: 20, 76, 45, 37, 38, 96, 97, and LIFT paratransit service].
[You may wish to include the current and proposed changes Route Maps (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uK73Pah4C4zBZQ6RNjFWZxZIVPkx93to) graphics for the appropriate lines here]
Other proposals include changes or cuts to Lines: [Remove Lines already listed above, and add other lines nearby that are affected but outside of Washington County if desired, the full list of changes is available on TriMet’s website]
You can learn more about these proposed changes on TriMet's website. TriMet has launched an online survey, open through Jan. 31. The survey is open to everyone, including those who don’t ride TriMet regularly. TriMet will also hold in-person and virtual open houses this month, including:
These open houses are a chance for you to speak directly with TriMet staff, ask questions and share your thoughts. Close, | |
