MEDFORD, Ore. (May 9, 2026) — Jackson County transit district voters will decide in the May 19 special election whether to renew a property tax levy that helps fund the Rogue Valley’s public bus system as the transit district continues recovering from major service reductions implemented last year.
Measure 15-240 would renew a five-year local option levy for the Rogue Valley Transportation District, commonly known as RVTD. The measure would continue the current tax rate of 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning July 1, 2026, and extending through 2031. The levy was previously approved by voters in 2016 and renewed in 2021.
According to election documents filed with Jackson County, the measure is intended to support general transit operations, including fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit transportation for seniors and people with disabilities.
RVTD currently operates six routes serving Medford, Ashland, Central Point, White City, Talent and Phoenix. District officials say the levy is needed to maintain existing service levels and potentially restore some service reductions made in 2025.
The ballot measure comes less than a year after RVTD implemented one of the largest service reductions in the agency’s history amid uncertainty surrounding federal and state transportation funding.
In summer 2025, district officials warned that as many as two-thirds of the system’s routes could be eliminated because of a sharp projected budget shortfall. At the time, RVTD estimated its budget could decline from approximately $54 million to $14 million if expected federal funding failed to materialize.
Beginning Sept. 2, 2025, RVTD suspended Saturday service, reduced weekday operating hours and eliminated or suspended multiple bus routes throughout the Rogue Valley. Routes affected included the Medford-Ashland Express, Jacksonville service, Eagle Point service and several crosstown routes in Medford, Ashland and Central Point.
The district also reduced staffing levels substantially. According to information posted by RVTD, approximately 65 employees were laid off, including drivers and administrative personnel, as the agency attempted to balance operations with available revenue.
Transit officials attributed the reductions to a combination of rising operating costs, delayed or uncertain federal transit funding and state transportation funding challenges. RVTD reported significant increases in maintenance, insurance and employee healthcare costs in recent years.
The district says the current levy provides a stable local funding source that supplements state and federal transit money. According to RVTD, fares, advertising and other revenue sources account for about 16% of its operating revenue.
If Measure 15-240 passes, RVTD estimates the levy would generate about $2.85 million during the 2026-27 fiscal year, increasing gradually to an estimated $3.33 million annually by 2030-31.
District officials have said failure of the measure could lead to additional reductions beyond those already implemented in 2025. Election materials state that without continued levy funding, RVTD would likely need to reduce service further prior to anticipated budget deficits later this decade.
Supporters of the levy say public transit remains critical for residents who rely on buses to access jobs, schools, healthcare and shopping. RVTD passenger survey data released by the district indicated that a majority of riders use transit daily and many households do not have access to a working vehicle.
At the same time, some residents have raised concerns online about taxes, transit funding priorities and the district’s long-term financial sustainability following the service reductions. Community discussions on social media platforms have reflected both support for maintaining bus access and frustration over reduced routes and schedules.
Ballots for the May 19 election have already been mailed to registered voters in Jackson County and participating transit district areas.
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