Oregon’s current transit service is inadequate
As in the case for other types of transportation, inflation has dramatically increased the cost of providing transit service in recent years via increases in employee compensation and benefits, vehicle and fuel costs, and preventative maintenance.
These increased costs are limiting the ability of transit providers to deliver and maintain service improvements enabled by the STIF program:
Basin Transit in Klamath Falls reduced service hours in April 2024 by 35% due to funding and staffing challenges and eliminated 1 fixed route.
Link Public Transit in Wasco County lacks funding to serve nearby rural areas such as the Native American Community of Celilo Village.
Quail Trail Transit in Klamath County does not have enough funding to provide intercity trips connecting veterans to medical appointments.
Linn County lacks sufficient funding to sustain its recently expanded shuttle service.
Coos County currently uses a Walmart parking lot for bus transfer because they lack funding to build a transit center even though the parking lot is unsafe and lacks amenities and seating.
Lincoln County Transit would build a bus garage. They are currently forced to park buses outside, which subjects them to premature rust from the salty coastal air.