TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail transit services in the Portland, Oregon, metro area. We connect people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution—making the Portland area a better place to live. More
How TriMet is Funded
Like most transit agencies, the money allocated to TriMet for building our transit system is different from the money for operating it. Here's how TriMet is funded:
Operating funds
About half of TriMet's operating revenue comes from business payroll taxes.
TriMet's operating funds pay for the day-to-day administration and operation of bus and rail service, and most of the cost to replace and rehabilitate vehicles, equipment and aging infrastructure.
We receive 57% of our operating funds from taxes, primarily a payroll tax paid by businesses located within the TriMet district boundary. Another 24% comes from fares, which is typical for transit agencies.
When unemployment goes up, revenue from the payroll tax goes down, which means less money for TriMet operations.
View TriMet's montly performance dashboard
Capital funds
Our capital funds pay for rail construction projects such as WES Commuter Rail, MAX Green Line and the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project.
These funds come from a different pool of money, largely in the form of grants from the federal government, and are often allocated many years in advance. We also receive a small amount of state and federal money for other capital improvements.
By law, these funds are designated for capital investments only, so we can't use them to pay for day-to-day operations.
Stimulus funds
In spring 2009, TriMet received $53 million in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Federal guidelines require that stimulus money be spent on capital projects and infrastructure that will make the transit system more robust and put Oregonians to work.