More enforcement and accountability aimed at making transit system cleaner, safer and more accessible

TriMet is redoubling enforcement of our rules for riding to improve cleanliness and accessibility on board while addressing inappropriate behavior. This is part of our ongoing and long-term efforts to give riders a better overall experience. Beginning July 1, our safety and security staff will start focusing on increasing enforcement on behavior and actions that are expressly prohibited by TriMet’s Code of Conduct—our rules for riding. These rules cover everything from paying your fare to not bringing items on board that leak and block aisles, as well as smoking of any kind.

With more safety and security staff now than ever before, TriMet believes it’s necessary to keep accelerating efforts to make the system cleaner, safer and more accessible. To achieve that, our Customer Safety Supervisors will be checking fares and, along with our Customer Safety Officers and Transit Security Officers, they’ll let riders know they need to follow all the rules. Most important are those put in place to make sure people can move safely through our vehicles, especially those who have disabilities and older adults looking to reach priority seating areas. Large items can block aisles and doors.

Items that leak create a sticky or slippery hazard. Large bags of recyclable bottles and cans may do both, not only creating messes but blocking safe access. We also prohibit grocery-store sized shopping carts and open containers of food or beverages that may spill. If you traveling to or from the airport or with children, travel luggage and strollers with kids are welcome on board, but they should not block aisles or doors.

Your help is always appreciated. We want to hear from you. If you see someone smoking or being disruptive, or carrying items that are blocking aisles or doors or are leaking, please alert our security team via our 24-hour security hotline: Text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE). This helps us respond to situations as they happen. You can also report graffiti, or damaged and broken equipment, using the same number. Or, you can contact TriMet security online.

Fares required

Valid fare is always required when riding TriMet. Those without valid fare face a citation with a fine of up to $250 or exclusion from the system. Those cited for not having proof of fare may have their penalty reduced, depending on their citation history. They can avoid a court record by paying a reduced fine, performing community service or, if they qualify, enroll in our Honored Citizen reduced fare program.

Oregonians whose income is less than double the federal poverty level or who participate in an assistance program qualify for our Honored Citizen fare, which is half the cost of our adult fare or a maximum of $28/month. Learn more online at trimet.org/income.

People with a disability, those over 65 and veterans, active-duty members of the military or reservists also qualify for the reduced fare.

TriMet’s Access Transit programs also work with nonprofits throughout the Portland area that help connect people in need with community assistance to provide free fares. Find out more at trimet.org/accesstransit.

Safe, clean and accessible

Cleanliness and safety also go hand-in-hand. Our riders thrive when they see a transit system that feels comfortable and inviting.

We have never given up sight of our riders’ comfort and safety. More enforcement starting July 1 is simply one more step in a series of improvements we’ve been making since 2022 to enhance security and improve customer support. Over the past two years, we’ve done the following:

• Doubled the amount of frontline safety and security staff, bringing the number to more than 400 employees and contractors
• More than doubled the number of On Street Customer Service staff
• Created a Security Operations Command Center to manage incident responses
• Piloted a program to restrict elevator access to those with a valid form of fare
• Expanded and made improvements to our network of more than 8,000 cameras
• Increased our Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design initiatives to improve sightlines and lighting at transit centers, rail station and park and rides, making these areas brighter and reducing hiding spots by cutting back shrubs and tall plants.

We have also emphasized cleaner vehicles, platforms and transit centers by hiring more cleaners and maintenance staff, what we’ve dubbed our “Clean Team.” With more cleaning, customer support and security resources now than ever before, we’re using them day-in, day-out, to keep our riders and employees moving safely.

For more information about security on TriMet, visit trimet.org/security.