Starting Feb. 25, riders will see increased service on several bus lines, schedule improvements to keep buses on time and a route extension to help workers reach jobs
Editor’s note: This news release has been updated with more information.
As we continue working to make TriMet bus service better, we’re listening to our riders who say they want to see more buses at more times!
Starting Sunday, Feb. 25, we’re rolling out improvements on several bus lines, including four in our Frequent Service network, to better serve riders.
That means more buses arriving in the mornings and evenings on several of our most-used lines. Another line in Troutdale will be extended, making it easier for riders to reach major employers like Amazon and FedEx.
What’s new?
We’re improving some of our bus routes and connections. These upgrades are outlined in our Forward Together service concept, developed with the community, which we began implementing last summer.
Frequent Service
Buses on Frequent Service lines arrive every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day.
Starting the week of Feb. 25, we’re expanding Frequent Service on the following lines:
- Line 12-Barbur/Sandy Blvd
- Line 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove
- Line 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard
On weekdays, when more riders rely on TriMet, buses will arrive more often earlier in the morning and later in the evening on these lines. That effectively extends our Frequent Service hours on those lines, making them more convenient for more riders.
We’re also adding more morning and afternoon buses on a fourth Frequent Service line, Line 72-Killingsworth/82nd, to better serve McDaniel High School families on weekdays. Line 72 buses are often full around the time school opens and lets out. These additional buses mean more riders can take TriMet to their destination at peak times.
TriMet’s Frequent Service network includes 18 of our most-used bus lines — including our latest addition to the network, Line 48-Cornell, which was upgraded to Frequent Service in November 2023.
Route extension
Workers at the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park also have reason to rejoice.
We’re changing the route of Line 77-Broadway/Halsey and increasing service, extending some trips to the industrial park to better serve workers.
TRIP, as it’s sometimes called, has become a major job center in East Multnomah County, with companies like Amazon and FedEx employing thousands of workers there.
Extending Line 77 will make trips to TRIP faster and better for those workers who rely on TriMet. More buses will come around shift changes, dropping off arriving workers and picking up those heading home for the day, at stops conveniently located close to Amazon and FedEx’s facilities.
Schedule adjustments
Some TriMet riders will see their bus arrival time shift by as much as six minutes.
We’re adjusting our schedules on the following lines to improve connections and keep buses on time:
- Line 1-Vermont
- Line 10-Harold St
- Line 11-Rivergate/Marine Dr
- Line 16-Front Ave/St Helens Rd
- Line 33-McLoughlin/King Rd
- Line 39-Arnold Creek/Hillsdale
- Line 291-Orange Night Bus
Some lines will see smaller adjustments to help riders make transfers and give operators breaks.
For more details, check out trimet.org/betterbus/servicechanges-fy24spring.
We encourage riders to use our online trip planner at trimet.org to plan their trips and see when their bus will arrive.
Moving Forward Together
Through our Forward Together service concept, we’re redrawing our map of bus lines in response to community feedback, ridership data and TriMet priorities.
This is a long-range project with equity at its heart. TriMet’s goal is to increase ridership and create better connections to jobs and services for people with low and limited incomes.
Making these service improvements is a years-long process. We started rolling out Forward Together service improvements last summer, and we have much more still to come.
All of our service improvements depend on staffing. We haven’t been able to roll out improvements as quickly as we’d like because we’re still dealing with an operator shortage.
We are working to add operators — applicants are eligible for a $7,500 bonus if hired — as well as maintenance workers, with a $2,500 hiring bonus for many of those positions, too.
Join the team! Visit trimet.org/careers to learn about opportunities at TriMet, including upcoming hiring events. You can also find directions on how to apply on our website.
