TriMet news on ridership and service cuts

On Sunday, September 13, changes to bus service will take effect including the elimination of four lines and adjustments to about 50 other lines. The service reductions help close a $31 million gap in the current FY10 budget due to the recession.

Following months of public involvement, TriMet scaled back some service adjustments to respond to concerns from riders about connections to jobs, schools and other transit service.

Four lines eliminated
Four bus lines will be eliminated due to low ridership or alternate service nearby: 41-Tacoma, 74-Lloyd District/Southeast, 86-Alderwood and 153-South End Rd Loop.

Changes to route, frequency
Twenty lines have significant changes to route, frequency and/or hours of operation:
1-Vermont, 15-Belmont, 18-Hillside, 19-Woodstock, 27-Market/Main, 33-Fremont, 34-River Rd, 36-South Shore, 37-Lake Grove, 55-Hamilton, 58-Canyon Rd, 59-Walker/Park Way, 60-Leahy Rd, 63-Washington Park, 70-12th Ave, 85-Swan Island, 88-Hart/198th Ave, 89-Tanasbourne, 156-Mather Road and 157-Happy Valley.

A new fixed route bus line will combine the Cedar Mill Shuttle with the former Line 60-Leahy Rd to become the 50-Cedar Mill. The 33-McLoughlin/Fremont will be separated into two lines. Line 33-McLoughlin will run every day between Oregon City and downtown Portland. Line 24-Fremont will operate weekdays only between Gateway Transit Center and Legacy Emanuel Hospital. About two dozen other lines will have minor service changes.

Discontinued weekend service
Sixteen bus lines have some or all weekend service discontinued:

• No Saturday service (weekday service remains): 1-Vermont, 10-Harold, 34-River Rd, 51-Vista
• No Sunday service (Saturday service remains): 17-NW 21st Ave/St. Helens Rd, 48-Cornell, 58-Canyon Rd and 67-Jenkins/158th Ave.
• No weekend service (weekday service remains): 24-Fremont, 39-Lewis & Clark, 43-Taylors Ferry Rd, 47-Baseline/Evergreen, 59-Walker/Park Way, 63-Washington Park, 89-Tanasbourne and 156-Mather Rd.

The summer Washington Park Shuttle that currently runs from Memorial Day through September will be extended to run weekends from May to October to provide connections to Washington Park attractions.

For complete TriMet schedules and trip planning, visit trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
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August ridership report
There were just over 8 million trips taken in August 2009 compared to August 2008, a 4.4 percent decline. Construction on the Steel Bridge for three weeks in August 2008 shifted trips from MAX to buses, and in turn, MAX trips in 2009 are higher and bus trip declines are steeper. Also, ridership continues to be impacted by the recession, double-digit unemployment and lower gas prices that were at records levels last year. All figures below are compared to August 2008.

Bus, MAX & WES

• Weekly trips were down 4.4 percent to 1,856,700 trips
• Weekday trips were down 5.1 percent to 300,400 trips
• Weekend trips were down 1.3 percent to 354,800 trips
• Rush hour trips were down 11.6 percent to 90,100 trips

Bus

• Weekly bus trips declined 11.4 percent to 1,159,400 trips
• Weekday bus trips declined 12 percent to 191,500 trips
• Weekend bus trips declined 8.6 percent to 201,900 trips
• Rush hour bus trips were down 16.2 percent to 58,000 trips

MAX

• Weekly MAX trips increased 9.2 percent to 691,400 trips
• Weekday MAX trips up 8.9 percent 107,700 trips
• Weekend trips up 10.3 percent up 152,900 trips
• Rush hour trips down 5.5 percent to 30,900 trips

WES

• Weekly WES trips totaled 5,900
• Weekday/rush hour trips averaged 1,180 boardings.

TransitTracker Real time arrival information is available for all 7,100 bus stops and 64 MAX stations. Check TransitTracker online or by calling 503-238-RIDE (7433) and entering the Stop ID number.

Plan your trip online TriMet’s online trip planner makes it easy to plan a trip, with information on travel and walk times, transfers and cost. Visit trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
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