Call stations, installed first along the east side MAX corridor, connect riders to dispatchers within seconds, deterring crime
Across a 15-mile stretch of the MAX system on the east side, blue lights are providing a sense of safety at TriMet’s stations, guiding the way to emergency phones that offer riders instant access to help.
Over the past year, TriMet has installed more than 29 blue-light security phones. Most of the phones are located on our MAX platforms between the Rose Quarter Transit Center and the Gresham Central Transit Center. They are part of TriMet’s continuing efforts to improve public safety.
“Security incidents reported at the locations where we have installed the phones have decreased,” TriMet’s Chief Safety and Security Officer Andrew Wilson said. “We think seeing a security kiosk, which has a light on it, and knowing there’s someone you can reach, helps to create a safer experience and a safer location.”
Introduced in October 2024 at a handful of MAX stations, installation of the blue-light security phones coincided with the opening of TriMet’s Security Operations Center, which serves as the central hub for monitoring the transit system and dispatching public safety teams.
Due to the successful rollout of the blue-light security phones, TriMet is adding even more. An additional 30 phones are scheduled for installation on the MAX Yellow, Green and Orange lines in the coming weeks. Approximately 20 more will be installed across the entire system by June 2026.
Blue-light deterrence
Blue-light phones – also known as emergency call stations – give riders a way to reach security when needed, especially if they don’t have a working cell phone, are in a high-stress situation, or don’t have good cell coverage. They function the same as TriMet’s security hotline, 503-238-RIDE (7433), which also routes public safety concerns to dispatchers inside the Security Operations Center.
This is how they work: A person presses the red button on the front of the emergency call station, either wall-mounted or free-standing, and within seconds a dispatcher will respond. Inside the Security Operations Center, staff see who’s calling, along with their surroundings, due to the camera above the phone’s speaker.
Along with providing people immediate access to security staff, the call stations act as deterrents. Their blue lights, similar to those used in shopping center parking lots, make them easy to spot, especially at night. The presence of cameras on the vibrant red towers, distinguished by the word “security,” work together to discourage crime.
More public safety resources
Expanding the ways riders connect with TriMet’s public safety teams reduces the burden on 911 and law enforcement. Since 2021, TriMet has seen a nearly 50% reduction in calls for police service, including a 4% decrease from 2023 to 2024. The decrease has allowed police to increase their proactive patrols.
Riders should remember that 911 is always their best resource in an emergency. TriMet’s Transit Police is made up of officers from across our service area, operating as one unit under the oversight of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
The addition of blue-light security phones complements TriMet’s wide-ranging public safety efforts. This includes five specialized teams dedicated to various aspects of public safety, more than 9,000 cameras spread across the system, and record-breaking increases to cleaning. For more information about TriMet’s security efforts, visit trimet.org/security.