Umpqua Public Transit District Suspends All Weekend Service Amid Funding Crisis
Umpqua Public Transit District is suspending all weekend bus service starting August 9th due to a statewide funding freeze and federal delays. More cuts may follow as the agency works to save $200,000 and maintain weekday service.
ROSEBURG, OR – The Umpqua Public Transit District (UPTD) has announced it will suspend all weekend bus service indefinitely, starting Saturday, August 9th, in response to a worsening statewide funding crisis and delays in federal reimbursements.
In a press release, UPTD attributed the decision to an ongoing freeze in state transit funding and a breakdown in the timely release of federal funds. Despite meeting all compliance requirements, the agency reports it has not received its expected federal allocation for the current quarter.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, UPTD and other transit districts across the state should not expect any federal reimbursements until at least the middle of the first quarter of 2026.
“This crisis is the direct result of bureaucratic gridlock, both at the federal level with Federal Transit Administration processing delays, and at the state level with ODOT’s funding freeze,” said UPTD CEO Ben Edtl. “Every special district in Oregon is going to feel this pain.”
UPTD must cut $200,000 in spending between now and early 2026 in order to maintain weekday transit service in Douglas County. The agency credits its survival to $600,000 in savings achieved over the last two years through smarter route planning and improved fleet management. However, Edtl warned that eliminating weekend service will not be enough to balance the budget and that further service reductions are likely.
UPTD officials said any additional service cuts impacting riders will be publicly announced. Riders are encouraged to look for updates at www.umpquatransit.org.
Comments ()