Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget
The adopted budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026 (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) continues TriMet’s mission of providing public transit service that connects people to opportunities while providing a safe, reliable transportation service that eases traffic congestion and reduces air pollution.
TriMet’s adopted budget includes:
- $552.5 million for operations
- $236.6 million for general and administrative costs
- $165.3 million for capital and operating projects
- $1.002 billion for contingency, debt service, fund balance, other non-operating requirements and other post-employment benefits
Spending cuts reduce projected deficit
The FY2026 budget includes cuts to discretionary spending, with most of our divisions reducing spending by 2-3%. That resulted in $7.1 million in savings. Further changes to both resources and requirements resulted in an additional $17.1 million reduction. This reduced our projected operating budget deficit for the year from $74.4 million to $50.2 million, which better positions our agency for the future. We’ll continue to identify areas for efficiencies and cost reductions, while pursuing additional resources and revenues to help avoid an unmanageable deficit ahead of the fiscal shortfall.
Inflation, increased costs strain finances
While TriMet has worked to increase efficiencies and trim spending, the budget for FY2026 increased from year to year. The increase is largely due to inflation, rising costs associated with contractual requirements and state of good repair needs. Expenditures, including contracted security personnel, our Accessible Transportation Program, building leases and software license fees, are growing at a staggering rate when compared to previous years.
Emphasis on ‘State of Good Repair’ requirements
In addition, TriMet is experiencing higher costs to address the challenges of an aging system. We’ve been running buses in the metro Portland, Ore. region for more than 55 years, and MAX — one of the oldest modern light rail systems in the U.S. — has been in service since 1986. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires TriMet to meet “state of good repair” benchmarks, to keep the entire system — including our facilities and aging infrastructure — maintained and operating reliably.
We’re continuing to improve security on our transit system for riders and employees. Learn more about how we’re working to deter unsafe, illegal or inappropriate behavior around the system.
TriMet is also upgrading bus service on 82nd Avenue to TriMet FX®–Frequent Express. Learn how the 82nd Avenue Transit Project will bring better service and faster travel times, plus safety and accessibility improvements, to the corridor.
