Free rides on TriMet are the easy, safe and affordable way to ring in 2025

by

Free, late-night service returns this New Year’s Eve starting at 8 p.m.

TriMet welcomes you to ring in the New Year with free rides on buses and MAX starting at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. 

TriMet is proud to once again bring back our annual tradition, which provides a safe and affordable way to travel to and from year-ending festivities. TriMet’s transit partners, Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN, are also lifting fares on New Year’s Eve. All you need to do is hop on board and relax!

TriMet and our transportation partners, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), urge people to avoid impaired driving, the leading cause of crashes involving serious injuries and fatalities.  
Before heading out, plan your trip at trimet.org. Remember to set the date to Jan. 1 if you’ll be traveling after midnight.

Extended MAX service returns

On New Year’s Eve, MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow Line trains will operate two to three hours later into the service day than usual and arrive at stations every 30 minutes. MAX Red Line trains will end service on their regular schedule, with the last train to Portland International Airport departing the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station at 10:34 p.m.

  • The last eastbound MAX Blue Line train will leave Hatfield Government Center MAX Station to Portland City Center and Gresham at 1:35 a.m., and the last westbound train to Hatfield Government Center will leave Cleveland Ave MAX Station toward Portland City Center and Hillsboro at 2:01 a.m.
  • The last westbound MAX Green Line train will leave the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center MAX Station to Portland City Center at 1:46 a.m., and the last eastbound train will leave the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station to Clackamas Town Center at 1:52 a.m.
  • The last southbound  MAX Orange Line train will leave the Pioneer Place/SW 5th Ave MAX Station at 2:06 a.m., and the last northbound train to Portland City Center will leave the SE Park Ave MAX Station at 2:58 a.m.
  • The last eastbound MAX Red Line train will leave the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station at 10:34 p.m., and the last westbound train will leave Portland International Airport MAX Station at 12:31 a.m.
  • The last southbound MAX Yellow Line train will leave the Expo Center MAX Station to Portland City Center at 1:36 a.m., and the last northbound train will leave the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station at 2:30 a.m.

Late night buses, Safe Ride Home

In addition to extended MAX service, TriMet will also operate our late night/early morning bus service along MAX lines, which we introduced on Aug. 25, 2024. The buses do not run through the night, but they will provide some extra service on New Year’s Eve. Make sure to check trimet.org/planner before you go. 

This bus service includes:

PBOT will also offer Safe Ride Home this year, which provides discounts on Uber and Lyft rides on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. 

Drones, dancing and TriMet

This New Year’s Eve, take TriMet to a one-of-a-kind drone light show and dance party at Pioneer Courthouse Square. More than 200 drones will provide two aerial performances in the heart of Downtown for this free community New Year’s Eve celebration. The first will take place at 9 p.m., while the second will countdown the final moments of 2024 and usher in the New Year. 

TriMet can get you to within feet of Pioneer Square, with MAX Blue and Red lines serving the north and south sides of the square, and the MAX Green and Yellow lines serving the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX station. If bus is a better option, more than a dozen lines service the Portland Transit Mall along 5th and 6th Avenues, and many more serve Downtown Portland.

Some MAX trains will hold for a time during the drone shows. This will impact MAX service through Downtown, which could affect service elsewhere. MAX riders should plan for some delays during the drone shows on New Year’s Eve. 

Stay safe and seen!

As we welcome the New Year, TriMet’s Customer Safety Supervisors and security officers will be out across the system to help keep riders and operators safe.

With more people expected to travel on New Year’s Eve, we encourage everyone to put safety first and follow these tips:

  • Stay alert: Keep your attention on your surroundings, especially around buses and trains.
  • Pause your devices: Put away phones or headphones and look both ways when crossing streets or tracks.
  • Respect others: Be courteous to operators and fellow riders.
  • Check your belongings: Ensure you have all personal items when boarding or leaving TriMet vehicles.
  • Report concerns: If you encounter unwanted behavior or disruptive conduct, let us know.

TriMet makes it easy to report security concerns 24/7. Text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to reach our Security Operations Center. For emergencies, call 911 right away.

Thank you for helping us create a safer, more enjoyable ride for everyone this New Year’s Eve!

Plan ahead and leave the driving to us

The majority of deadly crashes involve alcohol and/or drug impairment. Last year was the deadliest year on Portland roads, with 69 fatalities. These figures are a reminder that the safest option is to leave your keys at home and the driving to us.

Offering free rides on New Year’s Eve has been a TriMet practice for decades, and we’re excited to be bringing back the peace of mind it creates. With TriMet, PBOT and ODOT working to make New Year’s Eve travel easy and safe, no one should drive impaired. 

For more information, go to trimet.org/nye.