RVTD Faces Federal Funding Uncertainty, Service Reduction begins September 2nd
(July 17, 2025) Due to a federal funding freeze beginning in April and continued uncertainty of Federal funds that makes up 50% of RVTD’s revenues, transit services will be reduced beginning September 2, 2025. Oregon is one of multiple states that experienced a funding freeze due to its ‘Sanctuary State’ status that has caused significant delays in 3 annual grants used for operations, vehicle maintenance and ADA service. Following a lawsuit filed against the Federal government by the affected states, a temporary injunction was granted that resulted in RVTD finally receiving an operating grant worth $4.68 Million. RVTD’s management team worked closely with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite this grant to sustain operations for the next few months. However, the two remaining grants for vehicle maintenance and RVTD’s ADA service known as Valley Lift are still pending approval. Exacerbating the issue, the 2025 Oregon Legislative session ended without the passage of a Transportation bill which would have included additional funding for transit operations.
The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) was passed in 2017 providing RVTD with approximately $3 Million annually. However, costs have escalated in the time since the bill’s passing, while the revenues have stayed the same. For example, the cost of bus operations per mile has seen a 59% increase due to increases in fuel, parts and labor. While the cost to operate a bus has increased from $70 to $125 per hour since 2017. Even before the federal funding freeze RVTD was forecasting a deficit of $10.2 Million by 2026-2027 and was beginning to plan for reducing service next year if the legislature did not pass a bill with enough additional funds to keep service whole. The timeline has become more urgent now with the federal funds being inaccessible for too long and with more funds likely not available until later this year.
Also in the forecast is the renewal of the special levy passed by District voters in 2016 and again in 2021. The property tax levy of 13 cents per thousand has helped add and sustain service in the last 10 years that would otherwise not exist without the support of the community. RVTD will be presenting the renewal through 2031 on the May 2026 ballot. The levy is equivalent to $52 per year in property taxes for a home valued at $400,000 and when combined with RVTD’s base property tax of 17 cents per thousand it generates nearly a quarter of RVTD’s revenue. This funding source is critical to avoid any further service cuts.
As a result of the funding uncertainty, RVTD will reduce service by eliminating several routes, decreasing weekday hours of operation and eliminating service on Saturdays. The RVTD Board of Directors held a public hearing on July 23, 2025, and approved staff’s recommendations for service reductions. The changes will take effect on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The service reduction includes the elimination of the following routes:
- Route 1X- Medford Ashland Express
- Route 2- West Medford
- Route 17- Ashland Crosstown
- Route 25- Southwest Medford
- Route 26- East Medford
- Route 27- Medford Crosstown
- Route 30- Jacksonville
- Route 41- Central Point Crosstown
- Route 61- RCC Table Rock
- Route 63- Eagle Point.
The service changes will take effect on September 2, 2025, the transit system will include Route 10- Ashland, Route 21- North Medford, Route 40- Central Point and Route 60-White City. Additionally, a modified Route 24- RRMC will operate between Front Street Station to the RRMC campus and a new Route 4- West Medford will cover portions of west Medford previously served by other routes. See a map of proposed service.
Additionally, RVTD will reduce weekday operations to begin at 6:00AM and end at 6:30PM and eliminate Saturday service. Most routes will run at 30-minute frequency and begin and end at Front Street Station in Medford, OR.
Valley Lift Program Changes
Valley Lift: Services to the Valley Lift program will be reduced to align with the changes to RVTD’s fixed route bus services starting Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025. Changes to Valley Lift include:
- Suspending Saturday Service – Valley Lift will no longer operate on Saturdays.
- Reduce Service Hours – New service hours are Monday – Friday 6:00AM to 8:20PM
- Reduce Service Boundaries – New 3/4-mile service boundaries are shown on the map in grey. Services no longer available outside the 3/4-mile ADA boundary.
- Eliminate expanded boundary – RVTD is eliminating the 1.5 mile expanded boundary and will limit services to the Valley Lift 3/4-mile ADA boundary. This change primarily impacts DD53 and PLUS program riders.
Larger Valley Lift Service Map – HERE
Directions: Type your pick-up or drop-off address into the “Find address or place” box. Valley Lift rides are only available within the gray service area shown on the map.
- If both your pick-up and drop-off addresses are inside the gray area, you can get rides.
- If either address is outside the gray area, you cannot get a ride unless you change the locations to ones that are both inside the service boundary.
Areas shaded in gray represent the new Valley Lift service boundaries
Options for transportation: If you or someone you know will be impacted by these service changes, there may be other options for you to get transportation services.
- TransLink Medicaid Brokerage 1-(888) 518-8160 – (Jackson County) Provides Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) to Medicaid eligible members to and from OHP covered medical and non-medical services. You must have the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) to be eligible for these services.
- ReadyRide 1-(800) 479-7920 – (Jackson & Josephine Counties) Provides Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) to Medicaid eligible members to and from OHP covered medical services.
- Community Volunteer Network (CVN) 1-(541) 857-7783 – Call-A-Ride is a vital CVN initiative established to provide support to local seniors in need of transportation. Specifically, volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport seniors (age 60+) and individuals with disabilities living in Jackson County to their medical-related appointments.
- Veterans Transportation – 1-(800) 692-9666
- Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) 1 (541) 664-6674 – RVCOG is a resource hub for seniors and people with disabilities looking for resources and services in the Rogue Valley.
- Care More Cab – 1 (541) 499-6600
- Five Star Taxi – 1-(541) 245-5555
Public Comment: Those interested in providing written comment can use an online survey form here. Paper copies are available at the Customer Service window at Front Street Station. You can also submit comment at any time using the RVTD Contact Form. RVTD Passenger Comment Form (Fillable PDF)
(July 7, 2025) RVTD is saddened to announce that due to federal funding delays, we are planning major service reductions to begin on September 2, 2025.
The State of Oregon is currently negotiating with federal officials regarding immigration laws and has joined other states to file litigation against the Federal Administration. The litigation could take several weeks or even months to be resolved. As a result, RVTD’s federal funding, which accounts for approximately half of the operating revenues, is being withheld at this time. Additionally, the state’s transit funding has not kept pace with the cost of providing service which has made us more reliant on federal funds in recent years. Without these revenues, RVTD will be required to temporarily reduce service and lay off employees (including administrative staff).
The change to service includes the elimination of Saturday service, reduced weekday hours and the suspension of several routes. We will try to preserve the routes that have the highest ridership and provide the most coverage to our community. More information will become available in the next couple weeks. Please consider making preparations now for a reduced transit system after September 2nd. We hope this will be a brief disruption.
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