TriMet’s New Normal Reaches Reed

Returning from downtown, a group of first-years caught a Woodstock-bound Line 4 after waiting 30 minutes, only for the driver to announce three stops later that the ride was ending due to an abrupt shift change. Stranded downtown alongside other commuting Reed students, the group had to walk to SW 5th & Salmon St. to wait another 20 minutes for the next Line 4 bus. For many people on campus, moments like these are becoming a frustrating routine under TriMet’s new schedule.

When the Quest first reported on TriMet’s proposed service cuts in February (“Major TriMet Service Cuts Planned for August” by Louis Chase), the changes were still subject to public hearings, board votes, and tentative route maps. Now, as Reed students return for the start of the academic year, those proposals have officially gone into effect, leaving Reed commuters with longer waits, altered routes, and, in some cases, additional transfers.

The former Line 19, which directly connected SE Woodstock Blvd. to downtown Portland, the MAX Orange Line, and other transit hubs, has been officially replaced by an extension of Line 4. While Line 4 maintains direct service between downtown, Reed, and Lents Town Center, bus frequencies have dropped significantly for much of the day and on weekends. Reduced weekend frequency creates a major hurdle for students relying on transit for off-campus jobs, internships, medical visits, or late hours in the library.

For Vicky Gao ‘27, a senior who lives off-campus, the difference has been noticeable. “The buses used to be really convenient, but this year it feels like they’ve been changing things left and right,” Gao said. “And every change just seems to make things worse.” Gao used to take Line 19 from Reed to destinations across the city. Since August 23, she has had to take a transfer from Line 71 to 4, and the subsequent wait spans from ten to twenty minutes.  

Other students are feeling the brunt of weekend cutbacks on specific local routes. Ray Perry ‘27, who previously spoke with the Quest regarding cuts to Line 10, noted that while TriMet preserved weekday service, the elimination of weekend service forces tough compromises. “I used to use the 10 to get to friends’ houses on weekends, and now there aren’t any buses that go along that route,” Perry shared. “I’ve been riding my bike instead, which works for now, but it’s going to make things harder this winter. Biking in the dark or in the rain is annoying and can be unsafe.”

Reed administrators say that concerns about TriMet services are not new. Dean of Students Chris Toutain reported that the college has previously heard from students, faculty, and staff about problems with TriMet before the August cuts went into effect, as well as fears that further reductions in the service will make these problems worse. Reed sent a letter to TriMet last year in response to the proposed cuts, outlining the importance of public transit to the college community, and urging the agency to reconsider the reductions. Toutain said that the college is likely to weigh in again during TriMet’s next public comment period.

At Reed, these service cuts undermine sustainability incentives by turning subsidized public transit into an unpredictable hassle that requires students without cars to build extra buffer time into trips. Campus resources also had to adjust to the new routes. Earlier this week, Reed’s “Getting to Reed” webpage still listed the outdated schedules for Line 10, Line 75, and Line 19. After the Quest brought this discrepancy to the college’s attention, the page was updated later that same day to reflect accurate service information. The change invites comparison to nearby Lewis & Clark College, which supplements public transit through its OtterBus, a free shuttle service running hourly on weekdays to connect the campus to downtown Portland and beyond. 

The loss of Line 19 through Southeast Portland and Woodstock has left some Reed students with fewer direct daytime transit options and longer, less predictable trips. For Reed, the reductions also complicate the goals of groups such as Sunrise Reed, which advocates for reliable public transportation as a lower-emission alternative to driving.

For students with access to cars, driving has become an increasingly necessary alternative, even as it highlights a growing divide on campus. Minh Nguyen ‘28, a Reed student who frequently commutes by car, noted that while public transit around campus is vital for keeping an isolated campus connected to the rest of Portland, the current unreliability makes driving a far safer bet for making class on time. "I would definitely say yes to feeling relieved to be driving on my own accord," Minh shared, recognizing the privilege of avoiding transit stress while reflecting on past commutes that involved waiting up to 40 minutes for a second connecting bus. "In an ideal world, it would be nice to take transit comfortably and consistently, but driving right now is a safer and more stable method of transportation." 

The reductions stem from TriMet’s effort to close a massive budget shortfall, which stood at $300 million before the August cuts. Systemwide, the August 23 changes reduced weekly bus service hours by 4.3% and MAX service hours by 8.7%. This year's service cut has been the largest in TriMet’s 57-year history.  However, these changes are unlikely to be the last. TriMet still faces a remaining $158 million budget gap it aims to close by July 2028, estimating overall service must be reduced by at least 10% over that period. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, one Lents commuter saw his typical trip downtown increase from about 38 minutes to 53 minutes after the cuts. 

While navigating the ever-changing transportation landscape poses real challenges, members of the Reed community can take proactive steps together to stay connected with the broader Portland community. Reed still covers 50% of monthly TriMet passes, which you can pick up at the Business Office in Eliot Hall. To avoid unexpected delays, you can check trimet.org for real-time arrivals and service alerts, and download real-time tracking apps such as the Transit App. When the weather is clear, eco-friendly alternatives like Biketown or Lime are also a great way to explore the Portland metro area. 

With another round of service reductions being developed for August 2027 and public feedback sessions scheduled for this fall, Reed commuters face a shifting reality. The schedules students are now learning to rely on this semester might be completely different by next fall. Whether you are on your way to a concert, taking a quick trip to Fred Meyer, or eating out in Portland’s food truck scene, the city is always calling; just double-check your route before you go.