Deicer is stocked, tire chains are ready and contingency plans are made in case of snow and ice

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, TriMet is officially on watch for snow and ice.

If a winter storm strikes this season, we’ll be ready, thanks to the hard work of our team here at TriMet — including our maintenance crews, operators, customer service agents, safety personnel, Operations Command Center staff and others — as well as our partners at the local and state levels.

Although TriMet prepares for winter weather for months in advance, extreme conditions can challenge our ability to provide bus, train and paratransit service. Our priority is the safety of our riders, employees and everyone on the road, which may require adjusting service.

No matter what the winter season brings, riders can prepare by remembering these simple tips: Plan ahead, leave yourself extra time and always check trimet.org/alerts before you go. Sign up to receive service alerts for your bus or MAX line directly via email or text message at trimet.org/email.

Riders can find more information at trimet.org/winterweather.

How we prepare

TriMet has operating facilities for our buses and trains in Portland, Gresham, Beaverton and Wilsonville.

We stock up on deicer every year. Currently, we have about 68 tons of magnesium chloride — a salt that can slow or prevent ice formation on surfaces. When we put down deicer, we prioritize areas like walkways and stairs at MAX platforms, for rider safety. Even so, we encourage riders to use caution on sidewalks, stairs and platforms as they head to their bus or train.

New this year, we now have specialized tractors stationed in Downtown Portland and Gresham, which can help us clear snow and ice from the rails. We have snow plows, sanding trucks and other equipment on hand as well.

Our buses are also ready for winter. We set aside five sets of tire chains for each bus. When winter weather is in the forecast, our hardworking maintenance crews will work overnight, if needed, to chain up buses and get them ready for morning service. Crews may also chain up buses on their routes if winter weather blows in unexpectedly. About 95% of our buses are equipped with drop-down chains, which are helpful when snow and ice begin to fall before our crews can put on the heavier-duty chains.

If low temperatures are in the forecast, we have “snowbird” crews that can get out to areas that are prone to icing before the rest of our region, such as the higher elevations in the West Hills. These crews will report on the conditions they see, allowing us to coordinate with our local and state partners and adjust service, if necessary.

What riders should expect

Winter weather can be unpredictable! Keep an eye on the forecast, and be aware of weather conditions.

Riders should always check trimet.org/alerts before setting out. Signing up for service alerts at trimet.org/email can help keep you in the know when conditions are changing.

All riders should take precautions when going out in winter weather conditions:

• Dress warmly, and wear bright or reflective clothing for visibility.
• Always use caution and look both ways before crossing the street or train tracks.
• Carry a flashlight or other portable light device for greater visibility. Many smartphones come with a built-in flashlight.
• Consider using traction devices, such as ice cleats that can fit on your shoes or walking poles for stability. If using traction devices on your shoes, step carefully inside buses and trains as they could be slippery on those surfaces.
• Be careful on and around stops and stations and when getting on or off transit vehicles, as surfaces may be slick.
• Keep your phone charged so you can receive alerts. TriMet Customer Service is a call or text away: 503-238-7433 (RIDE).
• Get other important tips for riding during winter weather at trimet.org/winterweather.

Tire chains can help our buses get traction when road surfaces are slick. While chained, buses are limited to no more than 25 mph. Our priority is getting people to their destination safely, even if it takes more time to get there.

Our MAX and WES trains typically handle snow well. During winter storms, we monitor conditions carefully. While we’ve taken steps to protect them against winter weather, ice can still build up on wires and tracks during extreme weather. We will adjust or suspend train service as needed for safety.

LIFT paratransit service may be limited during extreme winter weather. We will reach out to LIFT riders if their trip needs to be rescheduled.

Our partnerships

When Jack Frost comes calling, everyone answers. No one faces a storm alone.

We are grateful to have strong partners during extreme weather events. We work closely with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Transportation and other agencies at the local and state levels — sharing information about road conditions and challenges we’re facing, and requesting support when snow, ice or debris block our routes. As always, we thank them for working to keep roads clear for our buses.

We also work with utilities like Portland General Electric. Extreme weather threatens our region’s electrical grid. Many TriMet facilities have backup generators. However, power outages may result in delays for riders. Utility companies are important partners for us in restoring service and getting riders where they need to go.

No mention of TriMet’s partnerships would be complete without acknowledging the hard work of first responders. We thank our regional firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement officers for going the extra mile when winter weather strikes. They provide invaluable support to TriMet, as they do for the rest of our region.