TriMet News

TriMet News

  • (VIDEO) TriMet expands safety network with more blue-light security phones

    Call stations, installed first along the east side MAX corridor, connect riders to dispatchers within seconds, deterring crime

    Across a 15-mile stretch of the MAX system on the east side, blue lights are providing a sense of safety at TriMet’s stations, guiding the way to emergency phones that offer riders instant access to help.

    Over the past year, TriMet has installed more than 29 blue-light security phones. Most of the phones are located on our MAX platforms between the Rose Quarter Transit Center and the Gresham Central Transit Center. They are part of TriMet’s continuing efforts to improve public safety. 

    “Security incidents reported at the locations where we have installed the phones have decreased,” TriMet’s Chief Safety and Security Officer Andrew Wilson said. “We think seeing a security kiosk, which has a light on it, and knowing there’s someone you can reach, helps to create a safer experience and a safer location.” 

    Introduced in October 2024 at a handful of MAX stations, installation of the blue-light security phones coincided with the opening of TriMet’s Security Operations Center, which serves as the central hub for monitoring the transit system and dispatching public safety teams. 

    Due to the successful rollout of the blue-light security phones, TriMet is adding even more. An additional 30 phones are scheduled for installation on the MAX Yellow, Green and Orange lines in the coming weeks. Approximately 20 more will be installed across the entire system by June 2026.

    Blue-light deterrence

    Blue-light phones – also known as emergency call stations – give riders a way to reach security when needed, especially if they don’t have a working cell phone, are in a high-stress situation, or don’t have good cell coverage. They function the same as TriMet’s security hotline, 503-238-RIDE (7433), which also routes public safety concerns to dispatchers inside the Security Operations Center.

    This is how they work: A person presses the red button on the front of the emergency call station, either wall-mounted or free-standing, and within seconds a dispatcher will respond. Inside the Security Operations Center, staff see who’s calling, along with their surroundings, due to the camera above the phone’s speaker.

    Along with providing people immediate access to security staff, the call stations act as deterrents. Their blue lights, similar to those used in shopping center parking lots, make them easy to spot, especially at night. The presence of cameras on the vibrant red towers, distinguished by the word “security,” work together to discourage crime.

    More public safety resources

    Expanding the ways riders connect with TriMet’s public safety teams  reduces the burden on 911 and law enforcement. Since 2021, TriMet has seen a nearly 50% reduction in calls for police service, including a 4% decrease from 2023 to 2024. The decrease has allowed police to increase their proactive patrols.

    Riders should remember that 911 is always their best resource in an emergency. TriMet’s Transit Police is made up of officers from across our service area, operating as one unit under the oversight of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

    The addition of blue-light security phones complements TriMet’s wide-ranging public safety efforts. This includes five specialized teams dedicated to various aspects of public safety, more than 9,000 cameras spread across the system, and record-breaking increases to cleaning. For more information about TriMet’s security efforts, visit trimet.org/security. 

  • Online survey, open houses to help TriMet shape future of service in face of cuts

    Taking action now to close $300 million budget gap will enable TriMet to continue providing safe and reliable public transit service to our region well into the future

    Image of a green TriMet FX2-Division bus at a station along Southeast Division Street in Portland.

    Calling all community members: TriMet needs your help.

    We are reducing our spending to close a $300 million annual budget gap. After years of rising costs and less money coming in from fares, TriMet has begun making administrative cuts that may include layoffs, but we also need to cut service to bring expenses in line with our revenue. 

    By taking action now, TriMet is making sure we have enough money to pay for the service we put on the streets and rails in the future. That means we can continue providing the vital transit service our riders rely on to get to jobs, schools, services and other destinations across our 533-square-mile service district.

    On Nov. 30, 2025, and again on March 1, 2026, we will reduce how often buses arrive on a handful of lines. But larger cuts will be needed to reduce service by at least 10%. To help us shape the future of our transit service, we have launched an online survey and will be holding open houses in October. 

    The online survey, accessed through trimet.org/servicecuts, asks people to weigh in on several options for TriMet to cut service and save money.

    Planned and possible service cuts

    Starting on Nov. 30, TriMet will begin reducing how often buses arrive on a handful of lines during times when fewer people are riding.

    Buses will arrive hourly after 9 p.m. on the following lines:

    Additionally, on FX2-Division, buses will arrive every 24 to 35 minutes during early morning and nighttime hours. FX2 buses will continue arriving every 12 minutes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., every day of the week.

    Similar frequency cutbacks are planned for March 2026 on a few more bus lines, ahead of deeper cuts in late 2026 and late 2027. Feedback received through the online survey and open houses will help TriMet shape our future service.

    We’re asking people to weigh in on options that involve:

    • Reducing how often buses or MAX trains arrive, all day or during specific hours
    • Eliminating or reducing service during lower ridership times or in areas with fewer riders
    • Removing lines that overlap with other service
    • Ending support to other transit providers that connect with TriMet service

    Reducing bus or MAX service would also cut service for some LIFT Paratransit riders. LIFT service covers all locations within three-quarters of a mile of bus and rail service and runs during the same hours as buses and MAX.

    Image of a TriMet open house in Southeast Portland.

    Have your say

    TriMet’s Service Priorities Survey will stay open through Oct. 31, 2025. Feedback will help inform service proposals that we will share for another comment period in January/February 2026.

    We’re also holding in-person and virtual open houses in October. Stop in to learn more and share your thoughts.

    Virtual open houses

    Via Zoom:

    • 12-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 (English)
    • 12-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 (Spanish)
    • 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 (English)
    • 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 (English, for older adults and people with disabilities)
    • 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali and Vietnamese)

    In-person open houses

    Multilingual:

    • 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Rosewood Initiative, 14127 SE Stark St. in Portland (English, Spanish, Burmese, Dari and Rohingya)
    • 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Clackamas Community College Harmony Campus, 7738 SE Harmony Road, Rooms 120/130, in Milwaukie (English, Russian and Ukrainian)
    • 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at APANO, 8188 SE Division St. in Portland (English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese)

    Bilingual (English/Spanish):

    • 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Fairview City Hall, 1300 N Village St. in Fairview
    • 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Shute Park Library, 775 SE 10th Ave. in Hillsboro
    • 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Tualatin Public Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave. in Tualatin
    • 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Portland Community College Cascade Campus, 705 N Killingsworth St. in Portland
    • 12-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 2 World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St., Sky Bridge Terrace, in Portland

    Learn more at trimet.org/servicecuts.

    Why we’re doing this

    TriMet must take steps to solve our projected $300 million budget deficit.  

    We know that whenever we reduce or remove service, riders are affected. Every bus and train we run serves a function: connecting riders with jobs, school, services and opportunities. Cutting service will make it harder for people to get where they need to go — especially the 35% of our riders who are transit-dependent. It also means more traffic congestion, less economic opportunity and more pollution.

    But unless we take action now to reduce spending — including by cutting some transit service — TriMet will hit a “fiscal cliff” in the coming years. To avoid a worst-case scenario, we’re cutting our internal spending and cutting service to match our expenses with our revenues now. If we allow our budget gap to keep growing, we would be forced to make more drastic cuts in the future.

    We are also working to increase revenues. The Oregon Legislature is currently considering a temporary increase in the employee payroll tax that helps fund transit. While any increase helps, that temporary increase would generate just a fraction of the revenue needed to address the budget challenges facing TriMet and other transit agencies throughout Oregon.

  • (VIDEO) He created stunning art for a TriMet LIFT bus — now, he’s driving one

    Austin Brague brings ‘passion for public transit’ to his job helping people with disabilities get around Portland metro area

    Image of Austin Brague, a young man with brown hair wearing a quilted orange shirt, in front of a TriMet LIFT bus.

    A couple years ago, a local artist at North Pole Studio worked with TriMet to create a captivating design for one of our LIFT paratransit vehicles.

    Austin Brague always wanted to drive for TriMet someday, he says. After collaborating with TriMet on that art project, he began to seriously look into what it would take.

    Now, Brague is living his dream. He applied this year for a job with Transdev, TriMet’s LIFT operations contractor, and was accepted into training for the paratransit service. After successfully completing that training, he’s now one of our newest LIFT operators!

    An artist’s perspective

    Brague, 26, is a master at pen-and-ink art. Like many North Pole Artists, he’s also on the autism spectrum. He says it gives him a unique perspective on the world, and he credits it for what he calls his “obsessions and passions.” One of them is public transit.

    “As an artist, I used my art as a form of advocacy for transit,” says Brague, adding: “I’m able to see things that people would otherwise miss or choose not to care about.”

    When Brague created “A City for All,” his pen-and-ink design that adorns a TriMet LIFT bus, he was inspired by the spirit of inclusivity — and his own experience as a person who is neurodivergent, grew up in Portland and rides TriMet regularly.

    “It’s a city for everyone, and that’s why I entitled it ‘A City for All,’” Brague says, “because regardless of race, gender, ethnicity and disability, you’re all welcome here.”

    Image of a TriMet LIFT bus wrapped in a black-and-white, pen-and-ink artistic design of Portland, titled "A City for All." The artist is Austin Brague.

    Behind the wheel

    As a LIFT operator-in-training, it didn’t take long for Brague to impress his instructors with his wit, positive attitude and driving skills.

    “Every trainer that’s been with him while he’s been driving out in the world has said he’s fantastic,” says Rusty Walton, a TriMet LIFT safety training supervisor.

    And there’s a lot to learn, Walton points out. Unlike TriMet’s regular bus service, LIFT operates as a door-to-door service. Instead of driving a fixed route, operators are trained to drive through neighborhoods, business parks and apartment complexes. They also learn to work with riders. Providing door-to-door service, LIFT operators assist their riders to and from the bus. Once on board, they safely secure wheelchairs and other mobility devices — and make sure they have a safe,  comfortable ride.

    It takes a lot of patience, Walton says, and it also takes a passion for the job. Brague has both.

    “Austin’s a great kid,” Walton says, with obvious fondness. “He’s positive, he’s very social, easy to talk to. He makes us all laugh. He’s very smart, says a lot of things that make you go, ‘Oh. Huh. Wow. I’d never thought of it that way before.’”

    Walton adds, “He’s very determined, too. He wants to do it. He’s excited to do it.”

    The road ahead

    So far, Brague says, he’s loving his job. And he is staying involved with North Pole Studio, too — in a way, that’s where his TriMet journey started.

    Wherever he goes, he has a lot of fans cheering him on.

    “Everybody’s just wanting me to be a LIFT operator and supporting my artistic endeavors as well,” Brague says.

    Walton is one of them.

    “People are going to love riding with Austin,” Walton says. “He’s a real social guy, you know. He’s got a sense of humor. And he wants to make people happy. That’s kind of what the job is all about.”

  • (VIDEO) Two-part MAX improvements project coming to TriMet’s MAX system in mid-October

    Week-long construction project to bring rail, station and safety upgrades, with shuttle buses and adjusted service keeping riders moving

    TriMet is preparing for a seven-day, two-part MAX improvements project on the eastside of the Willamette River this October. Riders will want to take note that MAX trains will be disrupted in two separate sections of the system while construction is underway. 

    The first phase of the Eastside MAX Improvements Project will begin Sunday, Oct. 12, with a one-day disruption to MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Shuttle buses will replace MAX trains between Rose Quarter Transit Center and Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. 

    On Monday, Oct. 13, the closed stations will reopen, as the project shifts to its second phase along the MAX Red Line. This will result in disrupted service between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport from Monday, Oct. 13, through Saturday, Oct. 18. 

    All MAX lines will return to their regular schedules on Sunday, Oct. 19. Riders can learn more about the project and how it may affect their trips by visiting trimet.org/improvements. 

    Service adjustments in detail

    To keep riders moving while crews complete important work, MAX service will be adjusted on several lines. Below is a breakdown of service by line and date:

    Oct. 12

    • MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be disrupted. 
    • Shuttle buses will serve all stations between Rose Quarter Transit Center and Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. 
    • MAX Green Line will not cross the Steel Bridge.

    West of the disruption, MAX Green Line Trains will travel along Fifth and Sixth avenues, serving stations along the Portland Transit Mall between Union Station/NW 6th and Hoyt and Portland State University. They will arrive at stations every 15 minutes. 

    MAX Orange and Yellow lines will serve all their stations during the disruption and operate on their regular schedules. 

    Oct. 13 – 18

    • MAX Red line will be disrupted between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport.
    • Shuttle buses will serve closed stations, arriving every 15 minutes.
    • Shuttle buses will serve all stations between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport.
    • During this phase of the project, all travelers to and from Portland International Airport should plan an additional 30 minutes for their trips.

    All other lines will operate on their regular schedules.

    NE 82nd Ave MAX Station construction

    The one-day disruption will enable crews to safely remove construction scaffolding located at the south side of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station platform stairs and install light poles along the new upper stair wall. The station, which has served riders since 1986, has been undergoing a major modernization overhaul of its permanent platform since June.

    Crews have been able to perform most of the work without disrupting service thanks to a temporary MAX platform, located to the west of the station. As part of this project, TriMet is making a series of upgrades designed to improve safety, accessibility and comfort for riders while preserving the station’s historic character. The existing stairway is being rebuilt, and the current shelter will be re-roofed and refurbished. A second shelter will also be added on the east end of the platform, providing more space and protection from the elements.

    MAX Red Line rail replacement and reliability upgrades

    During the disruption, crews will replace 100 feet of curved rail at the east end of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. This critical piece of rail, dubbed the “Fish Hook,” curves around the transit center. This stretch of rail – TriMet’s tightest curve in the system – has been in service since the MAX Red Line opened in 2001.

    Additionally, crews will replace more curved rail near Cascades Station, deep clean stations, remove litter from our track and replace rail ties. Not only will these improvements refresh the MAX Red Line, but they will also enhance the system’s overall reliability. 

    TriMet is here to help

    We know service disruptions can change how you get where you need to go. That’s why we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Before you travel, check trimet.org/alerts or use the TriMet Trip Planner to see how your trips may be affected. It will give you the best option for your trip.

    During the disruption, real-time information will be available on trimet.org, so you’ll know when your next train or shuttle bus is arriving. Be sure to allow extra time for your ride. Some trains will be arriving less frequently and shuttle buses may take a bit longer than usual.

    Throughout the project, we will have extra personnel on the system at key locations and stations to help riders make their connections. 

    If you have questions, we’re here to help. You can reach out to TriMet Customer Service by phone, text or email, or connect with us on X @trimethelp. Our team can help you plan your trip, answer questions about shuttle service and provide updates.

    We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements to keep MAX safe and reliable for years to come. 

    Making Transit Better

    TriMet’s vision for the future of our region’s public transportation relies on ongoing investment in the MAX system. Tens of thousands of people rely on it daily. Upgrading the system to make it safer, cleaner, smoother and more dependable ensures we keep moving forward. 

    We appreciate your understanding as we complete these upgrades.

    Recently, TriMet finished the Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements Project. During that project, crews improved the track, cleaned inside and outside the tunnel, and enhanced the resilience of the overhead wire system. 

    In June, we started our renovation of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station. This significant project, lasting through the end of 2025, is being carried out with minimal disruption to riders. 

    It’s also been a year since TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project fully opened, with a 10-station extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro. Opened on August 28, 2024, the extension capped three years of construction that also brought the MAX system its first new station in nine years – Gateway North – and doubled-tracked areas to alleviate bottlenecks. 

    To learn more about our upcoming project, go to trimet.org/improvements. 

  • TriMet turns to proven agency leaders to fill major executive positions

    Combined, Chief Operations Officer Inessa M. Vitko and Executive Director of Transportation Mary L. Hill bring more than 40 years of transit experience to their new roles

    Inessa M. Vitko
    Mary L. Hill

    General Manager Sam Desue Jr. has selected two women who spent decades growing and learning with TriMet for exciting new roles with the agency. He tapped Inessa M. Vitko to serve as Chief Operations Officer and promoted Mary L. Hill to the position of Executive Director of Transportation. 

    Rising during a time of transition

    The promotions come at a time of historic change at TriMet. They are part of an agency-wide focus to improve fiscal efficiency and stewardship.

    Over the summer, TriMet announced a large-scale effort to reduce costs amid a significant and growing budget gap and impending fiscal cliff. Changes to the agency’s executive leadership team are among the many steps TriMet is taking to achieve a balanced budget by July 2028.

    “As we work toward this goal, I felt it was important to begin with adjustments at the highest level of management,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “As I’ve also committed to you, we are doing this all with care, compassion and transparency. I am honoring that commitment.”

    Proven leadership and dedication

    The executive-level promotions reward two dedicated transit professionals for decades of hard work and commitment. Both Vitko and Hill began their professional careers with TriMet, with Vitko coming on in 2006 as a training services administrator and Hill beginning her career at TriMet in 2003 as a bus operator. Coincidentally, both left TriMet to gain additional experience at C-TRAN, before returning in the 2020s for more challenging roles.

    “Moving into this new role nearly 20 years after I started my career at TriMet is an incredible privilege, and to be honest, it’s a little surreal,” remarked Vitko. “I am excited and thankful to continue to be part of an invested and dedicated leadership team, and look forward to TriMet’s future as we navigate our path ahead.”  

    Formerly TriMet’s Senior Director of Operations Command Center and Rail Operations, Hill joins TriMet’s executive leadership team in her new role, assuming the position previously held by Vitko. 

    “I’m honored to continue my journey with TriMet in this new role, building on the lessons I’ve learned from the front lines as a bus operator to our leadership team,” said Hill. “This promotion reflects the incredible opportunities TriMet provides for growth and the importance of supporting women and people of color in leadership.”

    In addition to a breadth of transit industry experience, Vitko holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Portland State University. Hill holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, both from Western Governors University. 

    Reorganization comes with cost cutting

    As part of the reorganization at TriMet, Desue eliminated the agency’s Chief Operating Officer role, which has been vacant since May. Vitko’s position as Chief Operations Officer is different, with a revised scope and narrower focus on day-to-day operations.

    TriMet is conducting a full-scale operational assessment to identify additional opportunities for streamlining and reducing costs, as the agency works to close our budget gap. Some of the earliest efforts focus on changes at the top of the organization. For example, the Executive Director position for the agency’s Transit Systems Asset and Support Division, open since May, has been eliminated, as the agency considers the division’s future.

    Staffing changes and internal savings alone, however, will not be enough. TriMet will also begin reducing service this fall, as we look for new avenues to increase revenues. 

    Learn more at trimet.org/budgetcuts.

  • TriMet’s Transit Police Division welcomes back the Portland Police Bureau

    Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and Port of Portland Police Department additions increase Transit Police staffing to 31

    Transit Police officer next to Transit Police vehicle with a TriMet MAX train in the background. The Transit Police vehicle has text that says "Serving Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington County

    TriMet and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office welcomed back the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau as a member of the Transit Police Division during a joint news conference on Friday, Aug. 29. 

    “As the largest city in TriMet’s service area, renewing our relationship with the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau is a benefit for TriMet, our riders and the region,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. 

    Front row from left to right: Beverly Pearman, Port of Portland Director of Public Safety & Security; Bob Day, Portland Police Chief; Keith Wilson, Portland Mayor; Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, Multnomah County Sheriff; Sam Desue, Jr., TriMet General Manager; Andrew Wilson, TriMet Executive Director of Safety & Security.

    The City of Portland ended a previous agreement with TriMet in late 2020. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office became the law enforcement lead of Transit Police in 2021, and remains in the role.

    “Welcoming the Portland Police Bureau back to Transit Police will increase our collective presence on the transit system, deterring crime, building trust, and reassuring riders,” Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell said. “It will also expand our capacity for high-visibility safety missions focused on areas of public concern or with higher rates of criminal activity.”

    “Over the past year, Portland has seen a promising decrease in crime, with both property and violent offenses trending downward,” Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said. “That improvement is the result of collaboration, community engagement, and tireless work by our law enforcement partners. Bringing the Portland Police Bureau back into the Transit Police Division builds directly on this momentum and helps ensure riders feel safe and supported.”

    TriMet is contracting with the City of Portland for five PPB officers and one sergeant to serve on Transit Police.

    “The Portland Police Bureau is proud to rejoin Transit Police to help ensure the safety and security of our community on and around the transit system,” PPB Chief Bob Day said. “As our city continues to grow and evolve, a collaborative police presence on public transportation is essential. We look forward to working alongside our partners to support safe and reliable transit for all.”

    In addition to the PPB staff, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recently added a lieutenant to Transit Police and the Port of Portland Police Department added three more officers. 

    “The more we’re able to collaborate across agencies, the better we can serve our community, ensure safety, and maintain a consistent presence throughout the TriMet system,” Port of Portland Public Safety & Security Director Beverly Pearman said.

    The Transit Police Division will have 31 active officers with the return of PPB to the unit and recent increase of law enforcement personnel from MCSO and the Port of Portland Police Department. Other members of Transit Police include the Beaverton and Hillsboro police departments. TriMet pays the fully burdened rate for the law enforcement personnel assigned to Transit Police. 

    Transit Police brings local law enforcement together to secure TriMet’s system

    This is an organizational chart for TriMet's Transit Police Division. Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell is at the top. Below her is MCSO Chief Deputy Carey Kaer, and below him is MCSO Captain and Transit Police Chief Matt Jordan. The chart shows two MCSO lieutenants, then two MCSO sergeants and one MCSO detective sergeant. It also lists a Beaverton Police Department sergeant, a Hillsboro Police Department sergeant and a Portland Police Bureau sergeant. The organizational chart also shows nine MCSO sheriff's deputies, four Port of Portland Police Department officers, three Beaverton Police Department officers, a Hillsboro Police Department officer and five Portland Police Bureau officers.

    TriMet’s Transit Police Division uses a task-force police model. We contract with local jurisdictions served by our transit system to assign officers to the police unit. This allows for the closest available officers — whether with Transit Police or the local law enforcement agency — to respond to incidents on TriMet. All calls are coordinated through the regional 911 system for the quickest response.

    At its height, Transit Police included 65 law enforcement staff from 15 local police agencies. The national police officer shortage that intensified after the murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic, and hit its peak in 2023, led to hiring challenges for local police and sheriff’s departments. As they struggled with staffing, fewer officers were available to be assigned to Transit Police.  

    TriMet Executive Director of Safety and Security Andrew Wilson, who oversees the Transit Police Division for TriMet, continues to work with Multnomah County Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell and Transit Police Chief Matt Jordan to engage other local law enforcement agencies to join Transit Police. 

    Transit Police and TriMet’s public safety teams lead to nearly 50% decrease in calls for police services

    TriMet has diversified and expanded our public safety teams since 2021. Contracted Transit Security Officers and Customer Safety Officers patrol our system, discouraging inappropriate and illegal behavior. TriMet’s Customer Safety Supervisors enforce our rules for riding. Our Safety Response Team connects people on and around our transit system with social services such as shelters, mental health resources and addiction services. Along with Transit Police, we have nearly 500 people dedicated to safety and security. 

    Calls for police services, which includes both possible crimes and non-criminal incidents such as welfare checks, dropped nearly 50% from 2021 through 2024.

    “TriMet provides about 1.3 million trips a week,” Desue said. “The vast majority occur without incident due to the dedication of the Transit Police staff, their fellow officers and TriMet’s dedicated safety and security teams.”

  • Riding TriMet is easier than ever, thanks to these new features

    Real-time displays at over 90 MAX stations, 400 bus stops let you know when your ride is arriving

    Rider preparing to board a TriMet MAX train at Pioneer Square in Downtown Portland.

    When will your bus or train arrive? TriMet lets you know.

    We now have more than 700 real-time digital displays throughout our system — at MAX stations, bus stops and transit centers.

    These displays tell you when approaching vehicles will arrive and what their final destination is.

    We’re also posting new, easy-to-use QR codes at our train stations, transit centers and many bus stops, so riders can get arrival times in an instant.

    You can also see and track vehicles and get up-to-date service info on our website, trimet.org.

    New and improved signs

    Taking TriMet is easy! Real-time information is making a difference at our stops, stations and transit centers, helping you get where you’re going on time.

    Digital displays

    We’ve installed dozens of digital displays at stops, stations and transit centers over the past year — including in places that didn’t previously have them.

    A digital readerboard at the Pioneer Square North MAX Station in Downtown Portland.
    Readerboards

    For the first time ever, we have real-time arrivals and service alerts displayed on electronic readerboards at every MAX station across our system (except the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, which will close Aug. 24).

    These readerboards are updated in real time, showing arrival times, service alerts and other important messages.

    Two people looking at an electronic paper display with arrival times in a TriMet bus shelter at the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center.
    Electronic paper displays

    You’ll also see ePaper displays at many bus stops and transit centers. We’ve installed more than 400 of these easy-to-read displays so far, with more still to come.

    As we continue to roll out ePaper displays, we’re putting them first at bus stops used by more riders so they’ll have the greatest benefit. Each device is effectively self-powered, using solar energy, so they can be installed almost anywhere.

    QR codes

    You may notice QR codes popping up all over our system. Scanning these codes is a quick, convenient way to get information about your trip, as well as share your feedback with TriMet.

    A TriMet poster at the Washington Square Transit Center with a TransitTracker QR code next to the message "Text 9650 to 27299."
    Stop information

    In the coming weeks, you’ll see new signs with route maps and QR codes at many of our most popular bus stops, as well as MAX stations and transit centers.

    Look out for these posters in bus shelters and near Hop fare card machines. Scan the TransitTracker™ QR code to see arrival times and schedules.

    Image of a window sticker on a TriMet bus with the message: "Tell Us About Your Ride." A QR code is on either side of the message.
    Share your feedback

    Many of our buses and MAX trains also have QR codes inside on the windows.

    Scan one of these codes to give TriMet on-the-go feedback about your ride. This feedback helps us make your ride better!

    Screenshot of trimet.org, showing a 3D map of the Mount Tabor Neighborhood, next to a window titled "Search the Map." A search bar allows visitors to find and navigate to a location using TriMet.

    Online tools

    Did you know you can plan your trip anytime on trimet.org?

    We’re upgrading our website, so it’s easier to use and provides more information for riders. Over the past year, we’ve added several new features and improvements — with more still to come.

    Interactive map

    Check out our interactive, real-time map on trimet.org! We’ve added several new features, including a new 3D view.

    You can adjust the map settings to fit your needs. The map can also show you where our vehicles, stops and Park & Rides are.

    Planning your trip

    Use the Trip Planner on trimet.org to get where you need to go!

    This handy tool is customizable, so you can plan your perfect trip — at home or on the go. Choose which mode of travel you want to use, how far you want to walk or roll, and more.

    Language options

    You can read and use trimet.org in any of these six languages, with full translation support:

    • English
    • Spanish
    • Korean
    • Russian
    • Simplified Chinese
    • Vietnamese

    Simply click the A/文 button or icon at the top right and select your language of choice!

  • (VIDEO) TriMet’s tunnel under Washington Park to close for weeklong MAX improvements project

    Sept. 7–13, MAX Blue and Red Line service to be replaced by shuttle buses between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park

    One of Oregon’s most impressive transportation accomplishments of the latter 20th century, TriMet’s Robertson Tunnel, will be the site of a series of MAX improvements in September, requiring a seven-day disruption between Southwest Portland and Beaverton, including through the three-mile-long tunnel.

    From Sunday, Sept. 7, through Saturday, Sept. 13, the Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements Project will close a section of the MAX Blue and Red lines between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park MAX Station. Shuttle buses will replace MAX service, arriving at stops near the closed stations about every five minutes on weekdays and every seven minutes during the weekend. 

    TriMet service map showing MAX disruptions from September 7th to September 13th. Temporary bus shuttles will be used to replace MAX service for the red and blue lines between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park.

    The MAX Blue Line will operate on its regular schedule between Hatfield Government Center and Sunset Transit Center west of the tunnel, and between Providence Park and Cleveland Avenue east of it. Likewise, the MAX Red Line will operate on its regular schedule between Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds and Sunset Transit Center west of the tunnel, as well as between Providence Park and Portland International Airport east of it. TriMet’s MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines will continue running as scheduled during the project. 

    Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements - Shuttle Bus Sept 7-13. Route map shows details of the shuttle bus that will replace MAX blue and red lines service, with stops at SW 18th & Morrison, SW Jefferson & 20th (westbound), MAX Station/Oregon Zoo, Sunset Transit Center, and SW 18th & Goose Hollow MAX Station (eastbound).


    In some cases, regularly scheduled bus service may offer a faster or more direct option. Riders can begin planning their trips now at trimet.org/planner.

    Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements: What riders need to know

    While TriMet has worked to minimize the disruption as much as we can, some trips may take up to 45 minutes longer than usual. We encourage riders traveling to and from Portland International Airport to be aware of the extra travel time and to plan ahead. 

    We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your understanding as crews work on a series of reliability projects in and around the Robertson Tunnel. Riders will want to keep an eye out for signs and TriMet personnel, including our On-Street Customer Service staff, directing them to shuttle bus stops. 

    Here’s what you need to know to get a head start on your planning: 

    • MAX Blue and Red lines will be disrupted between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park from Sunday, Sept. 7, through Saturday, Sept. 13. The disruption will affect riders traveling to Portland International Airport during these dates, as shuttle buses can fill up faster and have less space for luggage than MAX trains.
    • Some MAX riders who travel through the tunnel may want to use alternative means of transportation or work from home during the disruption if they can.
    • Shuttle buses will arrive about every five minutes during weekdays and every seven minutes during the weekend. 
    • Bus lines 20-Burnside/Stark and 58-Canyon Rd may experience higher ridership, as they may be used as an alternative to MAX service.

    For questions or help planning your trip, contact TriMet’s Customer Support Center at 503-238-RIDE (7433), available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    Track-to-wire improvements

    Overhead view of the Robertson Tunnel facing east with tracks going into the 2 separate tunnel entrances.

    The Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements Project will improve the MAX tracks and overhead wire system, keeping rides reliable and comfortable for years to come.

    During the seven-day disruption, crews will complete two major projects. One will replace about a mile of the overhead wire used to power MAX trains, including the installation of a new wire tensioning system just west of the tunnel. We installed the same system on the MAX Blue Line in East Portland in spring 2025. These upgraded systems replace the older weight stacks, used to prevent wires from sagging as they expand in high temperatures. They apply about 3,000 pounds of consistent pressure to keep overhead wires taut in all conditions, improving reliability and reducing maintenance needs.

    The second project will replace about 700 feet of track between Washington Park and Goose Hollow. Crews will also replace rail ties and perform deep cleaning inside the tunnel. This work is vital, as it targets a part of the system that’s been in service for nearly 30 years.

    Making Transit Better

    The Robertson Tunnel, finished in 1998, was a huge engineering achievement, with features that are still unmatched today. Among the most notable, the Robertson Tunnel is home to the deepest transit station in North America, Washington Park MAX Station. It serves several destinations at the surface level – 260 feet above, the equivalent of the length of a football field. Destinations include Washington Park itself, along with the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center and Hoyt Arboretum. Two popular gardens are also accessible: the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden.

    The tunnel stretches three miles, seamlessly connecting Portland’s Goose Hollow to the Washington County suburbs of Beaverton and Hillsboro. It’s an example of how TriMet has made transit better over the decades, through improvements that ensure the region’s transit investments continue serving riders for years to come. 

    Over the past year, these have included the completion of our extension of the MAX Red Line, A Better Red, in August 2024, and the introduction of our newest MAX trains, the Type 6s, in January 2025. We have also completed rail crossing improvements and installed the upgraded overhead wire tensioning system on the MAX Blue Line in East Portland. This June, we also began a months-long project to renovate the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station platform.

    Thank you for your patience as we invest in a smoother, more reliable transit system for the future. To learn more about the Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements Project and how it may affect your ride, visit trimet.org/improvements. 

  • TriMet will close Skidmore Fountain MAX Station on Aug. 24

    Closure will save riders time on MAX Blue, Red lines through Downtown Portland

    Image of a TriMet MAX train approaching the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station in Downtown Portland

    TriMet is speeding up the MAX Blue and Red lines through Downtown Portland.

    We’re permanently closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, starting Sunday, Aug. 24. The TriMet Board of Directors voted to close the station last year, after a yearslong process of community engagement and outreach.

    MAX currently has to make three stops to serve stations spaced closely together on 1st Avenue in Downtown Portland. As a result, trains move slowly along this stretch, causing trips to take longer.

    Once the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is closed, MAX trains will proceed directly between the Old Town/Chinatown and Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX stations. Those stations will remain open, continuing to serve riders along 1st Avenue.

    Saving riders time

    TriMet first proposed closing four stations on the MAX Blue and Red lines in 2018. The goal was to speed up trains and reduce travel times for riders in Downtown Portland.

    Three of the stations — Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave — closed permanently in 2020. Skidmore Fountain is the fourth station we considered for closure.

    Since we closed the stations in 2020, trip times through Downtown Portland on the MAX Blue and Red lines have been about a minute and a half faster. Closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station will save riders another 45 seconds every trip.

    In speeding up MAX service in Downtown, we focused on stations that were less than 600 feet from another station. The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is just 500 feet from the closest station. For comparison, a two-car MAX train is about 200 feet long.

    Making this decision

    In 2018, when we first proposed closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, we asked riders and the public, including employers located in the Skidmore Fountain area, for their feedback. In response to the input we received from the community, we postponed a final decision on whether to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, waiting to see if ridership at the station increased.

    Historically, Skidmore Fountain has been among our least used stations along the MAX Blue and Red lines in Downtown Portland. The station has not seen ridership increase over the past five years, so in January 2024, we once again proposed closing it, which our Board approved in April 2024.

    Today, average weekly ridership at the Skidmore Fountain Station is less than half of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the employers in the area have closed, moved elsewhere or transitioned to remote work.

    Getting around

    The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is right in between two other MAX stations on the Blue and Red lines:

    • Old Town/Chinatown MAX Station, two blocks north (about 500 feet) from Skidmore Fountain
    • Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX Station, four blocks south (about 1,000 feet) from Skidmore Fountain

    If you currently use the Skidmore Fountain Station, you can use either of these stations instead. You can also access the Portland Saturday Market, held at nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park, from these stations.

    TriMet will be making changes to MAX schedules and some bus lines on Aug. 24 as well. Learn more at trimet.org/servicechanges.

    Visit trimet.org to plan your trip. Be sure to set your travel date for Sunday, Aug. 24, or later.

  • (VIDEO) Neighbors nurture community by taking TriMet from ‘Tabor to Town’

    Mount Tabor Neighborhood residents aim to set an example by driving less and frequenting Downtown Portland businesses more often

    Mary Lou Hennrich has a message for anyone hesitant to board a TriMet bus or MAX train: Just do it! It’s simple, safe and fun. 

    It’s a message that her neighbors in the Mount Tabor Neighborhood have embraced. They now gather every month near the Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd Ave bus stop, located at Southeast 71st Avenue and Yamhill Street, for an activity they call “Tabor to Town.” The group of about 15 ride the bus to experience different Downtown Portland destinations together.

    While the idea originated with Mary Lou, it was sparked by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s State of the City address in May 2025, where he voiced his optimistic message, “the state of Portland is rising.” During the address, he recounted his vision of  “transportation-oriented villages,” suggesting that Portlanders could support this by leaving their cars at home.

    Mary Lou Hennrich walks from a bus stop in Downtown Portland with the rest of the Tabor to Town group.,
    Mary Lou Hennrich (right) walks from a bus stop in Downtown Portland with the rest of the Tabor to Town group.

    Inspired, Mary Lou reached out to her friends and neighbors with the idea: Let’s take a TriMet bus and travel to Downtown Portland to support local businesses. Given Tabor to Towns’ simplicity and community-focused nature, Mary Lou is now challenging other neighborhoods to follow their lead.

    “I’d love to get more people on the bus, more people going downtown, more people comfortable using public transportation,” Mary Lou says. “Let’s challenge other neighborhoods – Laurelhurst, Sellwood, Irvington, Buckman – because we really need to support Downtown businesses.”  

    Riding ‘is really fun’

    Riding the bus is nothing new to Mary Lou. 

    She began riding a Rose City Transit bus to Glencoe Elementary School in kindergarten. Even then, it was an opportunity to build connections. She always rode with a classmate, and for the two of them, the bus opened up a world of possibilities. 

    Now, as a retired public health administrator turned volunteer and advocate, Mary Lou wants to promote public transportation as an ideal means of travel for people of all ages. Most of the neighbors who participate in Tabor to Town are older adults, many of whom have limited experience riding. But that hasn’t stopped them. It has only added to the enjoyment.

    The feedback she has heard from neighbors has been positive. While some may have been reluctant before, now they say, “This is really fun.” 

    Connecting communities, supporting businesses

    With Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd, residents of the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood are brought together in multiple ways. For June’s Tabor to Town outing, Mary Lou planned for the group to dine at the Midtown Beer Garden by Expensify, located at the corner of Southwest Fifth Avenue and Harvey Milk Street.

    She organized the outing before she knew that her neighbor Matt Allen was the beer garden’s project manager, a fact she only discovered after he received one of her flyers. He emailed her afterward with the news. They were both thrilled by the coincidence.

    Matt is also an avid TriMet rider, and he views the benefits of Tabor to Town from a business perspective. Having lived in Portland for 13 years, he views TriMet as the easiest way to get around Downtown Portland. For him, public transportation is about building a sense of community. 

    “It’s really easy to hop on a bus and head Downtown,” he said. “And guess what, that same bus will take you back home!”

    Mayor Keith Wilson joins the Tabor to Town group at their June meet-up.
    Mayor Keith Wilson joins the Tabor to Town group at their June meet-up.

    Matt was at the food carts to greet the Tabor to Town group as they arrived for June’s outing, adding one more neighbor to the group. Even Mayor Wilson, the inspiration for the group, showed up to show his support for the initiative. 

    Affordable transportation centered on you

    Whether your destination is a night out, sporting event, appointment or something else entirely, TriMet offers a more affordable alternative to driving, saving you money on gas and parking. As the Tabor to Town group has discovered, it’s a great way to get to know the city. After all, Downtown Portland is served by more than 30 bus lines, many of which are Frequent Service, arriving every 15 minutes or more often. Additionally, all five MAX lines serve areas across the city’s Central Business District. You can plan your trip and view the real-time locations of buses and MAX trains at trimet.org. 

    A TriMet bus outside Providence Park at night

    Improving the riding experience is at the center of TriMet’s multi-year efforts to boost safety, security and cleanliness. In the past year alone, these initiatives have included the creation of a centralized Security Operations Center and the introduction of 28 blue-light security phones to MAX stations and transit centers, with additional installations planned for the future. Riders can also act as our eyes and ears. We encourage you to call 503-238-RIDE (7433) if you see inappropriate activities. 

    We also want to know how your ride went. Your feedback is valuable! It helps us understand our performance and identify areas for improvement, thereby enhancing your experience. Scan the QR code displayed on most buses and trains, and follow the prompts to provide us with instant feedback.

    If Mary Lou has any feedback to share, it’s that taking a break from driving feels good. She knows from experience that it connects you to your city and neighbors, and she wants to share that message with others. “C’mon, get out,” she says. “Talk to your neighbors.”