TriMet Has 'Severe Operator Shortage,' Cancels Service, Plans Job Fair

BEAVERTON, OR — TriMet needs more than 300 bus and train operators as quickly as possible, and the agency is willing to pay for them, it said Thursday.

The agency is facing what it said is "a severe shortage" of operators.

The agency has been forced to cancel bus and train service almost on a daily basis. The cancellations come on top of major reductions in bus service in January.

"We're sorry," TriMet said in a statement Thursday. "Despite our service reduction earlier this year, we have been forced to cancel buses each day because of a severe operator shortage. This shortage is affecting MAX now as well, with more and more trains canceled due to a lack of operators."

TriMet, which said that it has at least 320 fewer operators than it did before the pandemic, is offering starting bus drivers $25.74 per hour, with a $7,500 signing bonus.

"We do not have all the operators needed to meet demand," TriMet said. "Despite efforts to hire more operators, we're hampered by the labor shortage being felt across the nation in the transit industry."

TriMet will host a hiring event on Tuesday at the Courtyard by Marriott Portland Downtown/Convention Center, 435 N.E. Wasco St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Applicants should bring a valid driver's license and be prepared to provide work history and references, the agency said.