Trimet Promises New Buses, Better Service

TriMet unveiled a $1 billion budget for the 2017 fiscal year and it's filled with things that should make commuters happy.

“With this budget, we’ll deliver more bus service, and upgrade some of the oldest MAX segments to improve reliability and service to our riders,” TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane said in a statement.

TriMet says they will be expanding service, increasing reliability, and working on safety improvements including replacing analog closed-circuit television equipment with digital technology.

This effort includes buying 50 new buses, which will bring the total to nearly 200 new buses the agency has purchased in recent years.

TriMet says that will bring the average of buses on the street down to nine years. The agency adds that all buses are air conditioned and have security cameras.

Non-union TriMet employees will be getting raises and, for the fifth year in a row, there will be no fare increase for adult tickets.

Members of the public will have a couple of opportunities to weigh in on the budget.

There will be a public hearing on March 23 at 9AM at the Portland Building. People can also call TriMet and email.

The agency's board of directors will meet to vote on the budget on May 25.