Portland public transit ranks No. 8 nationally
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Portland's public transportation system is among the top 10 in the country, according to a new Consumer Affairs ranking.
Why it matters: That's something to be proud of, and it could save you some cash if you jump on board.
By the numbers: Portland ranked No. 8 among the nation's 50 largest urban areas, beating much bigger metros like Miami and Houston.
- We got top marks for accessibility and usefulness, affordability and operational safety.
Between the lines: ConsumerAffairs analyzed federal transit and Census data to understand how often residents board transit, how far they travel, ADA accessibility, fares relative to riders' earnings, and rates of collisions, injuries and other safety incidents.
Yes, but: Portland's ranking comes with a big asterisk. The data was based on 2024 stats — before TriMet enacted some of the agency's largest permanent service reduction in decades.
Catch up quick: In August, TriMet implemented major service changes to 33 bus lines, eliminated two and shortened the MAX Green Line. Riders traveling from Clackamas County now must transfer at Gateway to continue downtown.
- The agency has also eliminated hundreds of staff positions.
Meanwhile, ridership remains at roughly 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
- Even after the cuts, TriMet is still staring down an average annual budget gap of about $160 million, according to its latest adopted budget.
- The agency said its operating costs — like labor, vehicle maintenance, fuel and security — have risen 56% since 2019 and are one of the key drivers of its financial strain.
What we're watching: Portland may still be competitive nationally when it comes to our transit system, but TriMet said it still needs a long-term source of revenue to avoid further reductions.