TriMet's $1.75 billion budget proposal includes Better Red construction, new FX line

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — TriMet’s $1.75 billion budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year would cover more electric buses, the westward expansion of the MAX Red Line and developing the Hollywood Transit Center, among other improvements.

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget will run from July 1, 2024, through June 30 of next year. TriMet’s proposed budget is about $178.7 million below, or 9.3% lower than, the current budget.

The proposal includes $848.7 million for operating costs, $200.6 million for the capital improvement program and $2.8 million for engineering and construction. Other funds would go toward the legal services, strategy and planning, and diversity and equity departments.

One of TriMet’s “recurring capital investments” for the fiscal year is the purchase of Type 6 light rail vehicles, a new model that was first introduced last fall. The transit service said these will replace the Type 1 vehicles that were originally purchased in the ‘80s.

TriMet will also continue expanding its fleet of electric buses, and approach its goal of only owning zero-emissions vehicles by 2040.

In addition, the transportation organization will allocate money toward safety enhancements and its Transit Asset Management Plan that the Federal Transit Administration approved in September 2018. The plan ensures that transit vehicles stay in a “State of Good Repair.”

TriMet’s non-recurring capital investments include developing a new operations facility and finishing construction on A Better Red, the project aimed at extending the MAX Red Line to the Fair Complex-Hillsboro station.

The transit service will additionally improve the MAX Orange Line connecting Portland to Milwaukie, by opening two new floors of the Southeast Park Avenue Park & Ride garage.

The organization also plans to further the design and permit process to make 82nd Avenue its next Frequent Express bus line and continue developing the Hollywood Transit Center.

“The adopted budget balances priorities with our ongoing, agency-wide efforts to restore our workforce, increase ridership and maintain a transit system that is safe, welcoming and accessible to all,” TriMet said.