Starting March 1, TriMet riders on several of Portland’s busiest corridors will be waiting longer between buses when things quiet down. The transit agency is trimming off-peak frequency on Lines 8, 48, 75, and 76, and is rerouting Line 24 in North Portland, describing the March moves as short-term belt-tightening ahead of a more sweeping proposal later this year.
Starting March 1, four @trimet bus lines will run less often at times when fewer people are riding. Learn more 👇 https://x.com/i/status/2026016046780649605
— Portland Bureau of Transportation (@pbotinfo) Feb 23, 2026
Which lines change on March 1
According to TriMet, Line 8 will run less often before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays and before 10 a.m. on weekends. Line 48 will arrive less often before 7 a.m. and after 11 p.m. on weekdays and before 10 a.m. and after 11 p.m. on weekends. Line 75 sees reduced frequency after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and Line 76 will run less often before 6 a.m. on weekdays and weekends, with Saturday service to Beaverton ending 30 minutes earlier. The same page details a route change for Line 24 that removes service on N Kerby Ave and N Russell St, intended to speed trips across North Portland.
Why TriMet says it’s necessary
TriMet ties the March adjustments to a roughly $300 million annual budget gap that the agency says is driven by rising operating costs and lower fare revenue. "The proposals focus on efficiency and cost savings, while continuing to provide the most service possible for the people who rely on us every day," TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. wrote in a January post outlining the agency’s plan. That post also notes earlier reductions that began Nov. 30, 2025, and previews a broader set of changes under consideration for later in 2026.
What riders should do
Riders who depend on any of the affected lines are being urged to review updated timetables for trips on or after March 1 and to sign up for service alerts. If your commute leans on early-morning or late-evening runs along these corridors, it is wise to allow extra time and look at alternate routes or connections until the new schedules settle in.
What’s next
TriMet plans to publish updated proposals on March 11 and has set a board listening session for March 18, followed by a first reading and public hearing on March 25. A final vote on the broader package is expected April 22, with larger cuts still tentatively set to take effect Aug. 23. Coverage in industry outlets underscores that TriMet is preparing for a multi-year program of reductions unless new funding arrives, which means riders should expect more schedule and route updates as 2026 unfolds.
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