Fall 2022 Service Reduction
We will be adjusting service on some bus lines in September as we temporarily reduce service levels due to an ongoing worker shortage.
Starting Sept. 18, 2022, ten bus lines will have service reduced, including two that will have service canceled due to a shortage of bus operators. All the lines affected have low ridership or less demand than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Two other lines will have less service added in the fall than previously planned.
Temporarily reducing service to match our staffing levels means that buses will run more true to schedule and riders will encounter far fewer canceled buses. We know you depend on us and we make this move only after exhausting all other options.
We hope to begin adding back service hours in 2023, as long as we’re able to increase our number of operators.
Affected lines
Background
Like most organizations, we’ve been struggling to hire enough workers. We’re not bringing in the number of new operators needed fast enough to offset retirements and other departures.
We’ve made significant efforts to hire new employees, including raising the starting wage for bus operators to $25.24/hr, and offering a $7,500 hiring bonus and increasing job marketing efforts, but we’re still facing a shortage.
Other transit agencies in Oregon and around the country are facing the same issue and have had to make similar service reductions. While we’ve tried to work around our shortages, it’s necessary to again reduce service. That will allow riders to better plan for when their bus will arrive with our current staffing.
Lines affected
1-Vermont
We’re reducing service hours to only run buses during peak travel time for high school students.
FX 2-Division
This Line will run every 12 minutes for the majority of the day with only a couple of buses added during commuting hours.
8-Jackson Park/NE 15th
Due to lower demand, we will cancel extra weekday rush-hour peak trips.
9-Powell Blvd
Due to lower demand, we will cancel extra weekday rush-hour peak trips.
10-Harold St.
This line’s route will still change to cover stops that the retiring Line 2 had served, and weekend service will be added, but additional buses will not be running during weekdays.
18-Hillside
Due to low ridership, we’re reducing service hours to only run buses during peak travel time for high school students.
26-Thurman St.
Due to low ridership, we’re reducing service hours to only run buses during peak travel time for high school students. Weekend service will be canceled.
50-Cedar Mill
Due to very low ridership, this line will be canceled.
72-Killingsworth/82nd Ave.
Due to lower demand, we will cancel extra weekday rush-hour peak trips.
81-Kane/257th
Trips that were added to relieve overcrowding during the pandemic will be canceled.
82-South Gresham
Due to low ridership, frequency will be reduced to hourly service.
92-South Beaverton Express
Due to very low ridership, this line will be canceled.