TriMet Staff Shortages Force Major Reductions In Bus Service

BEAVERTON, OR — If you noticed the bus came a little later than usual, you're not alone. TriMet has cut services throughout the region.

TriMet says that they were forced to reduce weekday service to 20 separate lines.

The reason?

"The most severe bus operator shortage in our agency’s history," a TriMet spokesperson said.

TriMet says that the 4, 8, 12, 15, 17, 21, 30, 33, 35, 52, 54, 56, 62, 67, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, and 78 lines will all have reductions with the 4, 12, 17, 21, 30, 33, 35, 52, 54, 56, 62, 67, 70, 71, 76, 77, and 78 also seeing their hours of operation reduced, which means that they may start later or end earlier.

Or both.

While MAX and WES service have no new changes, both are still operating under reductions put in place in April 2020.

Overall, they are cutting service by 9 percent.

TriMet says that the shortage is part of a nationwide trend.

"We are actively recruiting, hiring, and training bus operators to try to reverse impacts on our service and our riders," TriMet said in a statement.

As part of their recruiting, Triet is offering:

• a $2,500 signing bonus;
• seven weeks paid training;
• starting pay of $21.84 and more.

TriMet says that with guaranteed pay hikes, full-time drivers will at least $68,000 within three years. And that's without overtime. They say that if anyone is interested in applying or knows someone who is, just head to their website.