OPAL Closes, BRU Carries the Torch | Portland News

A beloved 21-year transit advocacy powerhouse, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, is shutting down — but its legacy lives on. After layoffs in November 2024 and years of financial strain, the group that championed environmental justice through public transit — from fighting unfair bus fines to linking transit funding with climate equity — is dissolving. Its core program, Bus Riders Unite!, will go independent under Umbrella PDX’s fiscal sponsorship, carrying forward OPAL’s mission. With TriMet slashing services amid a massive budget shortfall, BRU’s survival is more critical than ever — keeping riders’ voices alive when the system is crumbling. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4a831f84a77ce42e