TriMet begins online, in-person and virtual public outreach on a “Forward Together” concept that could move more people to more places they want to go
COVID-19 changed where people go and how they get there. At TriMet, we recognize that we may need to make big changes as a result. As we come out of the pandemic, we want to make sure that our transit service reflects the current needs of the community. We’re launching a new phase of community engagement around changes to TriMet bus service that we’re thinking about as part of a much bigger transit concept we call “Forward Together.”
As part of “Forward Together,” TriMet took the most in-depth and comprehensive look at our bus network ever. We’ve now developed a service concept that would be a sweeping re-envisioning of our bus network and would give more people access to our services, to reach more jobs and places.
TriMet conducted an initial survey in spring 2022. Based on feedback from 5,500 riders, stakeholders and community members, we’ve developed a draft concept that would change more than 80% of our bus service. It would also:
- Bring bus service closer to 50,000 more residents.
- Make weekend service available to 100,000 more people.
- Provide Frequent Service to 50% more people and jobs.
- Make it easier to reach more jobs in 45 minutes or less.
What do you think? Are we headed in the right direction? Let us know by weighing in at trimet.org/forward. Responses will be accepted through October 31. Along with the online survey, we’re hosting open houses in person and virtually.
Forward Together Open House Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 11:30am – 1:30 p.m.
PCC Cascade – Lobby of Cascade Hall, 5625 North Albina Avenue, Portland
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Rosewood Initiative – 14127 Southeast Stark Street, Portland
Thursday, Oct. 20, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Shute Park Library – 775 SE 10th Ave, Hillsboro
Saturday, Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Zoom virtual open house in Spanish — Meeting Link
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
CCC Harmony – Room 120/130, 7738 Southeast Harmony Road Milwaukie
Thursday, Oct. 27, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Zoom virtual open house in English — Meeting Link
Why “Forward Together”?
TriMet would like to expand service by as much as 30% in the coming years, but what that could look like is much different today than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Forward Together” concept helps connect the dots. Early community engagement found broad support for two key goals: focusing on ridership and improving connections to destinations for people with low and limited incomes. The map (below) presents one idea of how these priorities could look, in terms of our service.
Do you agree?
This is big, and we want to know if you think we are on the right track. Feedback that we receive about the “Forward Together” concept now, could have a significant impact on how it looks in the future. That’s why public involvement is so important. Do you agree with the guiding principles and service priorities?
- Improving access to opportunities.
- An expanded grid, with new routes serving new areas in all three counties, especially East Multnomah County.
- More Frequent Service bus lines.
- More bus lines with service running every 30 minutes or better.
- More and better weekend service.
- New lines serving areas that are far from transit today.
- Reduced service to some low-demand, mostly higher-income areas.
Let us know. Based on what we hear from riders, the community and employees through October, we’ll update our Forward Together concept into a plan for the future.
Riders could see the first system and service changes as early as 2023. However, full implementation of “Forward Together” is dependent upon ending our operator shortage. While TriMet is making progress, we are unable to predict when that might happen. We hope to roll out new service changes around the Forward Together concept within the next five years.
Learn more and follow the process as we move “Forward Together” at trimet.org/forward.
