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The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) recently adopted a $345 million fiscal-year 2007 operating budget — a $22.6 million decrease compared with FY2006.

The spending plan provides $20.1 million in savings through the agency’s Productivity Improvement Process — a program implemented seven years ago under which TriMet officials use ideas suggested by front-line employees that decrease costs and improve efficiency. This year, the agency will adjust light-rail and bus schedules to better match ridership with demand, and eliminate some low-ridership trips.

In addition, TriMet will implement a five-cent fare increase in September.

The FY2007 budget includes funds to begin building the 8.3-mile I-205/Portland Mall MAX light-rail extension and 14.7-mile Washington County commuter-rail line; $1.4 million in U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds to add closed-circuit television cameras on MAX station platforms; $1 million to begin replacing ticket vending machines at stations on the Eastside MAX line; and $285,000 to install an ice cap to help prevent ice build-up on MAX overhead power wires.