Ingesting, inhaling, igniting, injecting or consuming an illegal controlled substance on public transit vehicles in Oregon is now punishable under the crime of Interfering with Public Transportation

Illegal drug use on board transit vehicles in Oregon, including on TriMet’s buses and trains, is now classified as a crime under the state’s Interfering with Public Transportation statute. The offense is now a Class A misdemeanor – the most serious of misdemeanors under Oregon criminal law – thanks to the implementation of Senate Bill 1553 on Jan. 1, 2025. Those found guilty face up to 364 days in jail, a $6,250 fine or both. TriMet and law enforcement partners with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office stood together on Jan. 7, to welcome the new effort to address the public use of illicit drugs.   

“What sets this drug law apart from others is its focus on public transit,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “We believe public transit merits distinct treatment due to the greater harm on board drug use causes, as you cannot simply move away from it. This new law is helping make public transit vehicles into ‘safe zones,’ where not only is drug use illegal, it comes with stiffer penalties.”

“Every rider of public transportation has a right to breathe air that is not polluted with fentanyl or other illegal smoke,” Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said. “Smoking illegal drugs on a bus or train is dangerous and wrong. This new law does not allow deflection, and it’s a crime that we will prosecute.”

“Senate Bill 1553 provides law enforcement a valuable tool to address drug use on public transportation and in the community,” Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell said.

Differences in recent Oregon drug law changes

The Oregon Legislature passed two laws in 2024 that recriminalized illicit drug use – House Bill 4002 and Senate Bill 1553. The laws gave law enforcement new tools to address open use of hard drugs, which has become both a public safety and a public health issue.  

Here are the differences between the two laws:

House Bill 4002:

• Recriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs, giving law enforcement the authority to cite and arrest people for the Class B misdemeanor of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
• Punishable by up to 180 days in jail or, where offered, a drug deflection program.

Senate Bill 1553:

• Added use of illegal drugs on board transit vehicles to the offenses that fall under the Interfering with Public Transportation criminal statute.
• Punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a $6,250 fine or both, and individuals may receive access to state-funded treatment.  

What riders should do if they see drug use on TriMet

If someone witnesses illicit drug use or possession, whether on board a TriMet bus or train, or at a train station, bus stop or transit center, text or call TriMet’s 24-hour security hotline at 503-238-7433 (RIDE).  

Please provide basic details, like the name of the MAX station or transit center, your vehicle number (located inside all buses and trains) and any other information that may be helpful.

In an emergency, always alert the operator or text or call 911.

Increased safety for transit riders and employees

Despite TriMet’s continued safety and security efforts, the open use of drugs in the communities we serve extends onto our transit system at times. That creates an unpredictable and potentially dangerous situation for transit riders and employees. Public spaces, including public transit, should feel safe and comfortable for everyone to use, particularly for families, essential workers, high school students, individuals with disabilities, and other Oregonians who depend on transit to reach jobs, education and health care.

The passage of Senate Bill 1553 was due to the hard work of the Oregon Transit Association, TriMet and our fellow transit agencies in Oregon, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, the legislators who actively worked to get it passed and those who supported it, including state Sen. Kate Lieber, who sponsored the legislation, and Gov. Tina Kotek, who signed it into law.

TriMet continually works to improve security on our transit system for the safety of our riders and employees.

• We have more than doubled the number of safety, security and customer service staff on our transit system since 2022. Today, we have about 475 personnel who are dedicated to helping keep our system safe.

• We’ve recently added a 24-hour Security Operations Center, where dispatchers coordinate safety and security responses to issues such as vandalism and loud or disruptive behavior reported by riders via our security hotline set up in 2023.

• We have also improved lighting at stations and parking lots, upgraded security cameras and installed blue-light security phones as some MAX stations that connect riders directly with our Security Operations Center.  

Learn more about security on TriMet at trimet.org/security, and find more information about our teams at trimet.org/personnel.

For the seventh consecutive year, TriMet has achieved the highest possible bond rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), an independent financial institution known for assessing the creditworthiness of government agencies.  The AAA rating is in relation to our Senior Lien Payroll Tax Revenue Bonds and our ability to repay those bonds.

TriMet’s AAA rating reflects a solid vote of confidence in our ability to manage our finances responsibly and remain resilient in the face of economic challenges. Similar top-tier ratings last year from Moody’s (Aaa) and previously from Standard & Poor’s (AAA), two additional leading credit rating agencies, place TriMet in an elite group, underscoring our role as a financially stable transit agency.

What Does an AAA Rating Mean?

In simple terms, an AAA rating is the highest possible rating level a public agency can receive and signals that the agency is considered a low-risk investment by financial experts. This means that TriMet’s creditworthiness has weathered difficult economic times without putting our finances—or the services we provide—at risk.

These ratings directly affect how we can borrow money for major projects, enabling TriMet to secure better terms and lower interest rates. This, in turn, allows TriMet to reinvest in our transit system, improve service, purchase new vehicles, and fund key infrastructure projects like the recently completed A Better Red MAX extension.

According to KBRA’s latest report, TriMet’s payroll tax revenues have shown “resilience during economic downturns” and benefit from “a diverse and strong economic base.” The report praised TriMet for our ability to manage our resources carefully, with KBRA affirming that TriMet’s payroll taxes—our primary source of funding—are a highly stable and reliable revenue stream.

Solid Financial Management in Action

TriMet’s continued strong ratings are the result of careful financial planning and oversight. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many industries faced sharp declines, TriMet’s revenue from payroll taxes continued to grow. This stability is driven by the economic diversity in the Portland metro area, where the taxes collected from employers and self-employed individuals fund much of TriMet’s operations and capital projects.

Our ongoing financial health also comes from our conservative approach to debt. While TriMet has issued debt to fund important projects, we remain well within our debt policy limits. KBRA noted that TriMet’s strong debt service coverage and the safeguards in place to prevent over-borrowing help ensure long-term financial stability. “TriMet’s ability to maintain high debt service coverage margins demonstrates its careful and effective financial management,” the report noted.

Investing in Our Future

TriMet’s consistent AAA ratings don’t just reflect financial stability—they provide the foundation for significant, long-term investments that will shape the future of Portland’s transit system. These ratings allow TriMet to secure favorable financing, ensuring that we can continue expanding and modernizing our network to meet the needs of a growing population.

Looking ahead, TriMet plans to issue additional bonds starting in early fiscal year 2026, further fueling projects critical to enhancing service, improving infrastructure, and keeping our region moving. Our strong financial outlook ensures that even with new investments, TriMet will continue to manage resources responsibly—delivering not just today’s essential transit services but also building a sustainable, resilient system for the future. For more details on TriMet’s bond ratings and financial plans, visit TriMetBonds.com.

About TriMet

TriMet provides bus, light rail, commuter rail and paratransit services in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We connect people to opportunity, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making our community a better place to live.

Years-long A Better Red project to improve MAX light rail reliability and extend MAX Red Line into Hillsboro completed on time, on budget

TriMet’s A Better Red project came to a celebrated close Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, with the official opening ceremony of the MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro, marking the conclusion of TriMet’s biggest light rail project in nearly a decade.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined TriMet and local partners on Wednesday to celebrate the extension of the MAX Red Line 10 stations west into Hillsboro. It’s the final piece of A Better Red—a three-year, two-phased project to increase the light rail system’s reliability and extend the Red Line to serve MAX stations in a growing job center of Washington County as well as give more people a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. Following the ceremony, attendees took a ceremonial ‘first ride’ through the new area being served by Red Line trains.

“I take great pride and am honored to host the celebration today—marking this exciting milestone for TriMet and the entire region,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “This project would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of so many individuals and organizations. A Better Red isn’t just about extending the line—it’s about making our entire MAX system better. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we all come together, and together, we are building a brighter, more connected future for the people of this region.”

FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool and local partners joined TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. at the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station on Wednesday, which now serves as the western end of the MAX Red Line. A Better Red would not have been possible without the support of local and federal partners, including the FTA, which covered a substantial portion of the $215 million budget with a $99.9 million Small Starts grant. The project was completed on time and on budget.

“Congratulations to the people of Portland and the TriMet team for completing the ambitious ‘A Better Red’ project, which will improve service and result in smoother, faster travel, allowing people throughout the Portland region to leave their cars behind,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “We appreciate that this project—like all transit projects—has supported so many jobs in the area and will continue to do so. In fact, 44% of the subcontracting firms are certified disadvantaged business enterprises in Oregon, demonstrating our shared commitment to equity and ensuring everyone has a chance to  benefit from federal transit investment.”

A Better Red also received financial support from Metro, allocating nearly $9 million in funding, and the Port of Portland, which contributed about $2.3 million.

While Metro Council President Lynn Peterson was not able to attend the A Better Red official opening ceremony, she said, “Thinking regionally means helping people move regionally. TriMet’s Red Line extension makes it easier than ever to use MAX to move around our region, supporting the thousands of Oregonians who have chosen to live in the communities along our rail system. Faster commutes, shorter waits and fewer transfers are all great news for our region’s commuters.”

The Port of Portland has played a vital role in the MAX Red Line from the very beginning, part of the public-private partnership that led to the creation of the line—the first train-to-plane connection on the west coast when it opened in September 2001. Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold was not able to be at the ceremony but shared this:

“Extending the MAX Red Line into Hillsboro gives people who live here, visitors and employees a faster, car-free way to get to and from PDX,” Robinhold said. “I love that we’re celebrating the completion of A Better Red the same month we opened PDX’s new main terminal because both projects were part of an overall plan to better serve our community for decades to come.”

Washington County applauds A Better Red

Washington County officials, along with business and community leaders, turned out for Wednesday’s ceremony and applauded A Better Red and the opportunities additional MAX light rail service brings to people living in this growing area. 

“Smart transit infrastructure does more than reduce traffic congestion; it drives economic growth by making our region more attractive for investment,” Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers said. “By investing in projects like A Better Red, TriMet, the Federal Transit Administration and the jurisdictional partners are not just placing track and adding stops—they are laying the groundwork for economic prosperity, community resilience and long-term sustainability.”

“A Better Red demonstrates and fulfills our collective regional commitment to providing reliable, convenient access to jobs, homes, recreation and services,” Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fia said. “It also supports our regional commitment to climate-friendly initiatives by allowing more people to reach their destinations without cars.”

“I’m thrilled to celebrate A Better Red today because it offers Beaverton residents a reliable, climate-friendly alternative to driving, connecting them to Portland, Hillsboro, and beyond,” Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty said. “Good transit is essential to our community’s growth, and this project will make life easier for so many, especially the 30% of our residents who can’t drive.”

“MAX light rail does more than just move people; it moves people closer to their dreams,” Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway said . “This extension is another rung helping individuals climb the socioeconomic ladder. Each trip—whether it be for education, healthcare, or employment—carries people on their journey towards a better purposeful life.”

“From improved access to jobs to more convenient and affordable transportation, A Better Red will help bridge the gaps that too often hold people back,” Centro Cultural Policy Director Nansi Lopez said.

A Better Red keeps trains and transit moving forward

TriMet’s A Better Red project doubled MAX light rail service between Beaverton Transit Center, the previous western end of the MAX Red Line, and the new Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds Station, renamed from the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station.

The project’s reliability improvements were made on the east side of the line, between Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center, and went into operation in March. They included installing a second set of tracks in two sections—near PDX and Gateway Transit Center—where originally there were just a single set of tracks. This improved train movement and keeps trains running on time throughout the MAX Red Line as well as on the other lines in our interconnected light rail system.

The reliability improvements led to TriMet’s first new MAX station in nine years, Gateway North, to serve trains coming from PDX toward Downtown Portland and Washington County. Crews constructed two new bridges and pathways to carry the new sections of track and improve connections for pedestrians, cyclists and people in mobility devices. This includes  two new multi-use paths: one connecting 82nd Avenue to Portland International Airport and another providing new access to Gateway Green Park. The work required three short closures of all or part of I-84 in the Gateway area. TriMet thanks the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for its support in making A Better Red possible.

“TriMet’s partnership in the Portland region helps us deliver on our mission to provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system for Oregon,” ODOT’s Public Transportation Division Administrator Suzanne Carlson said. “We are excited to see A Better Red expand transportation options for the community.”

A project of A Better Red’s size, on an active light rail line, required eight disruptions to MAX service. TriMet and our partners thank riders and employees for their patience and understanding as this project improved transit service and all the benefits that brings.

“The City of Portland appreciates this federal investment and TriMet’s leadership on the A Better Red project, which will improve light rail service downtown and for neighborhoods on the eastside of Portland,” said Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Millicent Williams. “Continued transit investments are critical to meeting the City of Portland goals around carbon emissions reduction, improving livability and helping people get where they need to go affordably and safely.”

Building A Better Red

Construction of A Better Red was led by Construction Manager/General Contractor Stacy Witbeck, with the design completed by Parametrix. The project  supported 1,051 jobs and paid out over $18.9 million in salaries and wages to date. In line with TriMet’s nationally recognized program promoting opportunities for women and people of color through transit construction projects, disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) played a substantial role in A Better Red, with 62 of the 139 subcontracting firms being certified DBEs. The project also emphasized workforce training and hiring initiatives. Approximately 21% of the total trade labor hours have been dedicated to on-the-job training for apprentices, setting them up for future success in the construction industry.

Funding

$104 m      TriMet
 $99.9 m     FTA Small Starts / SYGA
 $8.9 m       Regional Flexible Funds administered by Metro
 $2.2 m       Port of Portland
 $215 m      Current total project cost

A Better Red at a glance

The new MAX Red Line is just one of the changes TriMet made in August to improve our overall light rail system and bring bus service to more people, especially those with limited incomes, so they have more access to reach jobs and opportunities.

Expansion of MAX night buses and closure of Skidmore Fountain MAX Station to reduce maintenance disruptions and move trains more efficiently in Downtown Portland

TriMet is moving forward on two efforts that will improve MAX service. One will speed up MAX Blue and Red Line trips through Downtown Portland. The other will allow more overnight maintenance work in an effort to reduce planned and unplanned disruptions to all MAX lines. Both will make our light rail system more reliable and improve the overall experience for our customers.

Expanded network of MAX night buses proposed

TriMet plans to establish a network of night buses in place of late-night MAX trains, expanding on our Line 291-Orange Night Bus that has been in service since the MAX Orange Line opened in 2015. Adding night buses across all MAX lines and moving late-night/early-morning MAX trips to those buses would allow for more overnight maintenance projects on the MAX system and reduce unplanned service disruptions as well as multi-day disruptions for MAX improvement projects.

TriMet has the second-shortest overnight maintenance window of any U.S. transit agency that runs light rail service. There are only 47 minutes in which no MAX trains are running anywhere on our 60-mile light rail alignment, drastically restricting what work can be completed overnight. On average, transit agencies have a two-and-a-half-hour gap, with some agencies exceeding four hours. Long service hours also lead to excessive wear and tear on rails, track equipment, overhead wires and trains. That, in turn, means more maintenance must be done to keep a light rail system and vehicles in a state of good repair as required by the Federal Transit Administration and necessary to provide reliable transit service for our riders.

MAX ridership in the overnight hours is much lower than during the day. In a two-month period in late summer/early fall of 2023, on average just over 1,200 trips were taken across all MAX lines between midnight and the start of service shortly before 4 a.m. That compares to more than 70,400 trips taken between 4 a.m. and midnight. By providing late-night trips on MAX night buses instead of trains, TriMet will be able to get more standard maintenance, repairs and improvements done on the MAX system, without impacting the vast majority of riders.

The development of individual MAX night bus service hours, routing and schedules is still underway. TriMet will share more details as the plan evolves.

Streamlining MAX stations in Downtown Portland leads to time savings

TriMet is renewing plans to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station to improve MAX trips through Downtown Portland. The Skidmore Fountain Station was one of four that had been proposed for closure previously to make trips faster and more efficient. TriMet conducted extensive outreach over ten months, in 2018 and 2019, before closing the other three stations — Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave MAX stations — in March 2020. TriMet decided to re-evaluate closing the Skidmore Fountain Station in the future if it didn’t meet two conditions: 1) ridership did not increase at the station and 2) development in the area did not occur. With those conditions not being met, TriMet is proposing to close the station in fall 2025.

The Skidmore Fountain Station is very close to two other stations — the Old Town/Chinatown Station, about two blocks, or 500 feet to the north, and the Oak/SW 1st Ave Station about four blocks to the south. Keep in mind that a two-car MAX train is 200 feet long. With the three stations within a third of a mile, MAX Blue and Red Line start and stop several times, leading to slow trips along 1st Avenue, between the Steel Bridge and the SW Morrison Street/Yamhill Street couplet.

Since TriMet closed the Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave MAX stations, MAX Blue and Red Line trips through Downtown Portland are a minute and a half faster each way. That adds up to about 46 hours and 38 minutes of travel time savings a week for thousands of riders. Closing the Skidmore Fountain Station is expected to reduce MAX trips by another 45 seconds in each direction.

The TriMet Board is expected to consider the Skidmore Fountain Station closure and hold a public hearing in April, with a vote in May.

Share your feedback

TriMet is hosting a series of open houses, Jan. 25-Feb. 1, to share the service improvements from our Forward Together plan, developed with the community, which we hope to roll out in the coming year and a half. Share your thoughts on those bus service improvements as well as the plans for the Skidmore Fountain Station closure and expansion of MAX night buses. Events will be held virtually and in-person, with multi-lingual representatives. People can also share their feedback online through Feb. 11, or learn more about the open houses at trimet.org/plan.

Los pases de un  día, de un sólo sentido o de ida y de 2 ½ horas aumentarán, mientras que los pases mensuales y los límites para los pasajeros que usan su tarjeta Hop Fastpass™ NO tendrán ningún aumento

Versión en inglés

TriMet quiere recordarle a los pasajeros que algunas tarifas aumentarán el 1 de enero de 2024, pero los pasajeros frecuentes que paguen con su tarjeta de Hop Fastpass™ y viajen lo suficiente para ganar un pase mensual no verán un aumento. En mayo de 2023, la Junta Directiva de TriMet optó por mantener los pases/límites mensuales de Hop al precio actual. Last tarifas que tendrán incremento son las tarifas para adultos y ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen), los pases de un día para jóvenes, los boletos de 2 ½ horas, y los boletos de un sólo sentido o de ida para el transporte LIFT. Este es el primer aumento en la tarifa base para adultos de TriMet en más de una década.

Se proyecta que estos cambios en TriMet generen $5.3 millones adicionales en ingresos por tarifas anualmente, y se anticipan mayores aumentos a medida que el servicio se expanda y el número de pasajeros aumente. Este aumento de ingresos no solo ayudará a estabilizar las finanzas de TriMet, sino que también permitirá la implementación del plan de servicio Forward Together que tiene como objetivo aumentar el servicio de autobús en más de un 30 % con respecto a los niveles de la pandemia. La expansión del servicio beneficiará a más personas, con especial énfasis en aquellos con ingresos más bajos, brindándoles un mejor acceso al transporte público y ayudándolos a viajar a sus lugares de trabajo y otros destinos importantes. El compromiso de TriMet de ampliar sus servicios ayudará a la comunidad en general y creará más oportunidades para todos.

Aquí hay un vistazo a las tarifas que aumentarán el 1 de enero de 2024:

Adulto:

• Boleto de 2½: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2.80
• Pase de un día: aumentará 60 centavos, con precio final de $5,60

Tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen):

• Boleto de 2 ½ horas: aumentará 15 centavos, con precio final de $1.40
• Pase de un día: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

Jóvenes

• Boleto de 2 1/2 horas: aumentará15 centavos, con precio final de $1.40
• Pase de un día: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

LIFT Paratránsito:

• Boleto de un sólo sentido o de ida: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

Estas son las tarifas que NO aumentarán a partir del 1 de enero de 2024 para los pasajeros que utilicen su tarjeta Hop:

Adulto:

• Pase mensual con un límite de $100

Tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen):

• Pase mensual con un límite de $28

Jóvenes

• Pase mensual con un límite de $28

Si bien los límites mensuales siguen siendo los mismos, con el aumento en las tarifas diarias los pasajeros alcanzarán el límite mensual más rápido y el resto de los viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos:

Ahora más personas pueden aplicar para obtener tarifa reducida

Actualmente, después de comprar 20 pases diarios para adultos dentro del mismo mes, se alcanza el límite mensual de $100 y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes son gratuitos. A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, después de comprar 18 pases diarios para adultos dentro del mismo mes, se alcanzará el límite de $100 el cual es equivalente al pase mensual y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos.

Actualmente, después de comprar 12 pases de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen) o pases de un día para jóvenes dentro del mismo mes, se alcanza el límite mensual de $28 y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes son gratuitos. A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, después de comprar 10 pases de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen) o pases diarios para jóvenes dentro del mismo mes, alcanza el límite de $28 el cual es equivalente al pase mensual y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos.

Cada vez son más las personas que pueden solicitar la tarifa reducida de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen), y puede que algunas ni siquiera lo sepan. Además de las personas mayores de 65 años, las personas con discapacidad y las que reúnen los requisitos con base a su nivel de ingresos, los miembros activos y veteranos del servicio militar pueden viajar a la mitad del costo de las tarifas diarias para adultos y viajes ilimitados por sólo $28 al mes. Esto representa un ahorro del 72% sobre el precio de nuestra tarifa mensual para adultos. Puede averiguar si cumple los requisitos para beneficiarse de la tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen) en trimet.org/honoredcitizen.  

Primer aumento de la tarifa diaria desde septiembre de 2012 

El aumento de las tarifas diarias para adultos en enero del 2024 será de un 12% y es el primer aumento desde el 2012. En la última década, la personas ha pagado más por todo, desde el combustible a los comestibles, incluidos los servicios y productos básicos. Las tarifas del agua subieron más de 110%, las del alcantarillado más del 50% y las de recolección de basuras más del 20%. 

TriMet también ha visto aumentar sus gastos. El precio de las llantas de los autobuses han subido un 30% en la última década. El precio promedio de un galón de combustible fue un 18% más alto el año pasado que en el año fiscal 2018, y desde mediados del 2021, hemos visto un aumento del 10% al 25% en los precios de muchas de las piezas y partes de nuestros autobuses y trenes.

TriMet ayuda a las personas a pagar por su viaje

Desde julio de 2018, cuando TriMet amplió el programa de tarifas reducidas a quienes ganan hasta el 200% del nivel federal de pobreza, más de 53,000 personas se han inscrito. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/income.

Desde el 2013, los programas de Access Transit de TriMet han brindado asistencia con tarifas y subsidios de alivio de tarifas a organizaciones 501(c)(3) elegibles sin fines de lucro que trabajan directamente con la comunidad. Brindamos tarifas a más de 150 organizaciones a un costo reducido o sin costo, para que puedan ponerlas en manos de quienes las necesitan. Desde 2015, TriMet ha proporcionado a esos socios comunitarios más de $15.3  millones en tarifas. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/accesstransit.

Si bien la tarifa de TriMet para jóvenes entre los 7 a 17 años es la mitad del costo de una tarifa para adultos, también tenemos programas para escuelas secundarias que brindan a los estudiantes tarifas gratuitas o con descuento. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/summerpass. Niños de 6 años y menores viajan gratis con un adulto acompañante.

TriMet también ofrece viajes de LIFT paratránsito a una tarifa reducida para aquellos que dependen de este servicio. La cantidad que pagan los pasajeros ($2,80 por viaje a partir del 1 de enero de 2024) es mucho menor que el costo operativo real del viaje ($79,93 por viaje, octubre de 2023). TriMet cobra por esos viajes la mitad del costo que el gobierno federal designó para este servicio.

Activities to take place at Washington Park MAX Station, will help better prepare the region for potential emergency events

TriMet and public safety partners will be conducting a full-scale emergency response exercise on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Activities will involve at least 225 people from more than 20 agencies and emergency management partners. The drill will better prepare our region, first responders and TriMet personnel for the potential of threats against the transit system. The exercise will take place at our Washington Park MAX Station—both at the station’s surface-level plaza and some 260 feet below on the platforms in the Robertson Tunnel. This will require disrupting MAX Blue and Red lines for the day. 

Scenarios to test and increase regional preparedness

The regional, full-scale exercise will involve fire, medical and police personnel, as well as TriMet staff. It will include two simulated events: an active attacker and a hazardous materials incident. 

The drill is funded through a Transit Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those grants are awarded to agencies “to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from terrorism and to increase transportation infrastructure resilience.”

“There is no known threat to TriMet’s system, but it is vital that we as a public transit provider and our regional first responders remain vigilant and prepared for a coordinated response in the event that ever changes,” TriMet Executive Director of Safety and Security Andrew Wilson said. “We appreciate our riders for their understanding about the disruption to our service for the day, as this exercise is an important part of our comprehensive safety and security efforts and preparedness.”

Washington Park Station closed, MAX Blue and Red lines disrupted

The Washington Park MAX Station will be closed and off limits to the public on Sunday, Nov. 5, and MAX Blue and Red lines will be disrupted for the entire service day. This will allow crews to prepare for and conduct the exercise, then clear personnel and equipment and prepare for the return of regular MAX service on Monday, Nov. 6. Shuttle buses will provide service between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park stations. MAX Red Line trains will run only between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport. Trains and shuttle buses will run on regular Sunday frequency—every 15 minutes. 

If riding MAX Blue or Red lines on Sunday, plan an extra 15 to 30 minutes for trips through the disrupted area. Consider using bus lines 20-Burnside/Stark and 58-Canyon Rd to avoid the disruption. If heading to PDX, use Blue or Green Line trains to reach Gateway Transit Center and transfer to Red Line trains. Plan and track rides at trimet.org.  

Tunnel exercise required by FTA

The Federal Transit Administration requires transit agencies to conduct emergency exercises related to critical tunnel infrastructure such as TriMet’s Robertson Tunnel through the West Hills. The tunnel consists of twin, three-mile tunnels spanning between Multnomah and Washington counties. Elevators take people some 260 feet between the surface level at Washington Park and the platforms below, making it the deepest transit station in North America and the fifth deepest in the world. MAX operations through the tunnel began in September 1998, when the MAX Blue Line extension between Downtown Portland and Hillsboro opened. 

Emergency response exercise participants

This is TriMet’s first full-scale drill in the Robertson Tunnel since 2014. In addition to TriMet staff, personnel from the following agencies are involved: American Medical Response (AMR), Dikason Medical Services, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Gresham Fire Department, Gresham Police Department, Kaiser Permanente, Multnomah County Emergency Medical Services, Multnomah County Health Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, NW Oregon Health Preparedness Organization, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), OHA Health Security Preparedness and Response, Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland Police Bureau, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA), Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Department of Health, SenseMakers LLC.