Improvements now allow TriMet dispatchers to watch over the system and deploy safety and security staff 24 hours a day

Behind a pair of chrome and glass sliding doors sits the new nerve center for TriMet’s security operations: the Security Operations Center. Now, in a first for TriMet, the center pulls together the agency’s security resources under one roof–including the security hotline, first established last year. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it anchors TriMet’s ongoing safety and security efforts.

Inside the center, an array of screens cycle through more than 3,000 closed-circuit camera views, providing live broadcasts from across our system. Dispatchers are stationed in front of computers with software that helps them send TriMet’s safety and security staff and contractors to where they’re needed. Members of the public can  reach security dispatchers to report incidents or security concerns by calling or texting the Security Operations Center at 503-238-7433 (RIDE), using a blue-light security phone or by visiting trimet.org and clicking the security icon in the shape of a badge in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

More resources than ever before

Over the past two and a half years, TriMet has more than doubled the number of safety and security personnel we have on the system, improved lighting at stations and parking lots and upgraded closed-circuit security camera views. Those improvements come in addition to TriMet’s recent efforts to enhance station and vehicle cleaning, as well as boost enforcement of our rules. The Security Operations Center combines all of these investments into one centralized location. 

Two years in the making, the Security Operations Center fully opened this September. TriMet now has seven dispatchers that have received specialized training. The dispatchers monitor the system and respond to rider and employee concerns in real-time. The center aims to improve security response and address other concerns on the system. With anyone and everyone able to report incidents, acting as the eyes and ears for the system, the aim is to deter and reduce the number of incidents that occur. 

“This is really just the beginning,” TriMet’s Executive Director of Safety & Security Andrew Wilson said. “We continue to build out our emergency response capabilities at TriMet. We’ve heard it from our riders, and we’ve heard it from our employees—that we need to be able to react to the needs that are out there with the tools that we have developed.”

Have a concern? TriMet wants to know

Calls and texts to 503-238-7433 (RIDE) go directly to our Security Operations Center staff. Here are the steps for making a report:

• If you see something concerning, out of the ordinary or illegal–even vandalized or broken equipment–call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) and press option 9.
• If you are texting, provide basic details. This may be the name of a MAX station, transit center,  your vehicle number (located inside all buses and trains) and line/direction of travel or stop ID. 
• You will receive a response saying that your concern has been routed to TriMet’s security team. 
• You may be asked to provide further details, including a description. If it’s safe to do so, you can also attach a photo.
• Security dispatchers triage the calls and send personnel or contact the appropriate work group.

TriMet continues to roll out new tools to deter unsafe, illegal or inappropriate behavior around the transit system. In early October 2024, TriMet began installing the first of our blue-light security phones, which give the public a direct line of communication to dispatchers in our Security Operations Center at the touch of a button. 

A total of 14 of the security phones will be installed on platforms between the Rose Quarter and the Gateway Transit Center. The phones are distinctive and designed to stand out, some with red towers and the word “security” written down the side and topped with a blue light, visible day or night. They are similar to what college campuses have used for more than 30 years, which have been shown to help deter criminal behavior on the campuses. 

In an emergency, always call or text 911 first. 

Streamlining security responses

The Security Operations Center comes as TriMet has added more safety and security resources than ever before. Most visibly, TriMet now has around 475 field staff and contractors dedicated to the safety and well-being of riders and employees. They are spread across various teams, including Transit Security Officers, Customer Safety Supervisors, Customer Safety Officers, and Safety Response Team– all of whom can be dispatched through the Security Operations Center. They do everything from enforcing our rules for riding, including checking fares, to performing welfare checks and connecting people to social services. Their main goal is to provide a presence that reduces bad behavior. They are all trained in de-escalation techniques.

TriMet also has On-Street Customer Service. While not security, they do provide an extra presence on the system. They will also report suspicious or inappropriate behavior. But mostly they’re there to help in any way they can. Whether they’re answering rider questions or supporting special events and service disruptions, their mission is to ease barriers to riding

Our transit system is woven throughout the community. And the complex challenges that the region faces can, at times, extend onto it. That’s why we’ve been so committed to developing a diverse approach to security, using specialized teams to make the system as safe and welcoming as possible, while engaging state and regional leaders to address the challenges facing society.

Behavior on or near the transit system has improved with changes in criminal law and community initiatives as well as the addition of more TriMet safety and security resources. Our Safety Response Team, which performs welfare checks on and around our transit system, assisted more than 4,000 people and connected another 6,000 to social services in 2023 alone. The Transit Police Division, overseen by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, now has more time to conduct safety and security operations–patrols and missions– which led to a reduction in calls for police service by more than 50% between 2021 and 2023. 

More safety and security investments coming

Further investments in safety and security are coming! TriMet continues to hire security officers, with the hope of bringing them directly onboard more trains. Even more changes will kick off next year.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, a new drug law will be implemented statewide, making the use of illicit drugs on public transit vehicles the most serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail. It allows those convicted to access to state-funded treatment in many instances. TriMet advocated for the law’s passage through the Oregon Legislature, believing that it provides a framework for more enforcement with stronger repercussions, while at the same time providing opportunities for treatment and the expungement of criminal records.

Remember, if you see something, say something. We’ve made it even easier. Just call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE), press the button on a blue-light security phone or submit a security report online at trimet.org. For more information, visit trimet.org/security.

Blue-light phones give people a direct line of communication with TriMet’s security staff around the clock

A new resource for connecting to TriMet’s 24/7 security hotline has started to appear at MAX stations. To seek it out, just look for the blue light. In a first for TriMet, “blue-light security phones” are being installed at most MAX platforms, starting this week at the Rose Quarter Transit Center and the Convention Center Station. It’s the latest in a series of ongoing efforts to comprehensively address our riders’ safety concerns and deter crime. 

The devices themselves are bright red towers with the word “Security” written down the side. They will also be easy to spot, day or night, due to the blue lights at the top. The phones let people connect immediately with TriMet security staff at the press of a button. The blue lights serve two purposes: they signal the location of the phones to those who need to use them in the dark, and they act as a crime deterrent. The phones also come equipped with cameras, giving TriMet’s security team more views of our station areas and show the person calling.

The first phones have been installed at the Rose Quarter and Convention Center MAX stations. TriMet will continue installing the phones in the coming weeks at our MAX stations along Interstate 84 between the Rose Quarter area and the Gateway Transit Center. TriMet’s long-term goal is to have the phones at most MAX stations and transit centers across our transit system.

Contacting TriMet security

The phones are just another resource as TriMet continues our focus on safety and providing  people with more peace of mind when they’re using the transit system. 

In recent years, we’ve increased our frontline safety and security staff to more than 460 personnel, and in 2023 we added a 24-hour-a-day security hotline. Just like with the new security phones, riders can reach our security staff on their own phones by texting or calling 503-238-7433 (RIDE). For emergency matters that require police, riders should contact 911 directly. The blue-light security phones add to the more than 8,000 cameras already on the system and, like those, can be monitored in real-time.

Whether it’s reporting suspicious behavior, notifying us of graffiti or vandalism or requesting assistance, we want to hear from you. This allows us to take action and ensure our riders’ safety. For more information, visit trimet.org/security.

Why blue-light phones?

Despite the widespread use of mobile devices, blue-light security phones continue to demonstrate their value more than 30 years after they were first invented and installed at the University of Chicago. Today, nearly every college campus in the United States has them. Locally, Portland State University, the University of Portland and Portland Community College have them. Grocery stores and other transit agencies have begun adopting them as well.

Blue-light security phones have been shown to increase overall awareness around security, deterring crimes from being attempted in the first place. After Rice University installed them in 2010, the school reported a decrease in crime, including a 68% drop in burglaries.

While mobile phones are portable, not everyone has one handy. Even if they do, it may have low or no battery, and in a high-stress situation, it might be easier to push a button. There are also times when cell service drops completely, making blue-light security phones another layer of security and communication on our transit system.

Recognizing the potential dangers is the first step in being safe around train tracks

TriMet is asking everyone to pledge to make safe decisions around rail tracks, as we observe See Tracks? Think Train® rail safety week, Sept. 23-29. This is an opportunity to educate the public and raise awareness to reduce the number of rail incidents, which result in more than 2,000 deaths annually in North America.

Across the Portland metro region, TriMet’s MAX and WES tracks run like a thread through the community, allowing trains to roll over city streets and zip through dedicated rail areas. They’re an important part of daily life, getting thousands of people to work, school, recreation and other opportunities.

But it’s important for the public to remember that a single MAX train, with two cars combined, weighs nearly 100 tons, and it can take several times longer than an auto to come to a stop while operating at the same speed. Light rail operators also need to account for passenger safety and stability, which can influence a train’s braking distance.

Safety requires everyone, looking out for ourselves and others, to stay safe around the tracks.

Six tips for rail safety

Ditch the distractions: Crossing train tracks might seem routine, but distractions can make them a gamble. A moment of awareness will make all the difference. Look up from your phone when walking through station areas or crossing the tracks. If you’re listening to something with headphones, remove an earbud or lower the volume so you can hear the train’s horn.

Stay in your lane: Don’t linger on the tracks when walking, biking or driving. Stick to designated crossings and intersections. At stations, make sure you’re well behind the white bumpy safety strips. And never walk along the tracks.

Stay alert: Treat the tracks like an active intersection. Always look both ways, and don’t forget: trains can come from either direction! Keep your eyes peeled for the possibility of a second train as you make your way across.

Make yourself seen: As daylight fades, amp up your visibility. Wear bright or reflective clothing, or consider bringing a light with you. If you’re driving, always use your headlights and take your time, especially when you’re in areas where trains share the road with autos and visibility is low. 

Slow down: We’ve all run late for something! But a missed train is not worth the risk. Running across tracks or through station areas can be dangerous, especially if you trip and fall. 

Clear your view: Hooded jackets or hoodies are practically required clothing in Portland, but they can also obscure your vision. Make sure you move them out of your view when you’re walking around or over tracks. The same goes for umbrellas. If you’re driving, ensure your mirrors are positioned correctly and your windshield wipers are working.

See Tracks? Think Train

For another year, TriMet is joining in a national effort to raise awareness around rail safety. Every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is struck by a train. Coordinated through Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the national rail safety education nonprofit, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other organizations, this year’s See Tracks? Think Train® initiative (formerly known as Rail Safety Week) focuses on the importance of making safe choices when walking or driving near railroad tracks and trains. TriMet is proud to have supported the cause since it began in 2017.

Comprehensive efforts spearheaded by the Oregon governor’s office and the Oregon Department of Transportation will require a partial-day disruption to MAX Blue, Green and Red lines

MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be disrupted for part of Sunday, July 14, between NE 7th Ave and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center for graffiti and trash removal along a stretch of TriMet’s light rail tracks that parallel Interstate 84. Shuttle buses will serve closed stations from the start of service until around 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A five-mile stretch of I-84 will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13, to noon Sunday, July 14. Along with MAX light rail, heavy rail traffic will also stop. One bus line, Line 70-12th/NE 33rd Ave, will be detoured off of the NE 12th Avenue bridge until 12 p.m. when I-84 reopens to autos.

The cleanup is part of a coordinated effort among six agencies led by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). In addition to ODOT and TriMet, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Multnomah County and Metro are involved in addressing the community issue of graffiti in the area. The cleaning teams will focus on a portion of I-84, roughly between the Lloyd Neighborhood and Interstate 205. This section of I-84 is both a highly visible and heavily trafficked part of the Portland metro region and an area prioritized by the Portland Central City Taskforce established by Governor Tina Kotek.

“Partnerships like this one are so important, as we join together to restore civic pride and make our community safer and more livable.” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “I’d like to thank Governor Kotek and the Oregon Department of Transportation for their vision to rejuvenate this and other transportation arterials through Portland, and I applaud this collaboration with PBOT, Union Pacific, Metro and Multnomah County to make it happen.”

TriMet will need to cut electricity to the overhead wires that power trains to allow crews to safely access areas in and around our tracks. The closure is an opportunity for TriMet to further enhance our cleaning efforts. It allows crews to reach areas in our right of way that are not safe when trains are running. Although crews will complete their work and I-84 will reopen at noon on Sunday, it will take time to repower the MAX system. We appreciate our riders’ patience as we do this work and get trains back on regular schedule. 

Partial-day MAX disruption

A partial-day MAX disruption on a Sunday is intended to lessen the impact on riders, but we understand there are those who will need to get around the closure. Here’s what riders need to know:

• Shuttle buses will replace MAX Blue, Green and Red line trains, serving all closed stations between NE 7th Ave and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center.
• Shuttle buses will arrive about every seven minutes.
• The disruption will begin with the start of service early Sunday and end by 6 p.m.
• Sign up for Service Alerts now at trimet.org/alerts.
• Bus lines FX-2, 9, 12, 15, 19, 20 and 77 may experience higher ridership, as they may be used as an alternative to MAX service.

During the highway and rail track closures, upwards of 100 workers from the six agencies will join private contractors to remove trash and clean graffiti along the corridor, moving west to east. Along TriMet property, crews will focus on walls, poles, trackways and hard-to-reach areas that are visible when traveling by train.

Commitment to cleanliness

With a commitment to cleanliness, we’re proud to join efforts to revitalize community resources that have been marred by an uptick in vandalism in recent years. TriMet has added staff and contractors to make enhanced cleaning a priority. In this year alone, we have more than doubled the number of times we’ve been able to pressure wash stations.

Removal of litter, repairs and repainting have also been priorities, especially through Downtown and along I-84. These are among our oldest and most used stations, serving multiple MAX lines and tens of thousands of riders every week.

Cleanliness and safety go hand-in-hand. TriMet believes our riders and the entire community thrive when they see a transit system that feels comfortable and inviting. We recently announced a renewed focus on our rules for riding to make our system cleaner, safer and more accessible. That includes not allowing anything that leaks, such as large bags of recyclable cans and bottles, along with open containers of food and beverages that may spill and make a mess. Any large items that block aisles and doors are not allowed on board. Smoking of any kind is also prohibited.

Learn more about our rules for riding as outlined in the TriMet Code of Conduct. TriMet’s enhanced cleaning, increased code enforcement and partnership with other local agencies come as we also continue building out a comprehensive series of safety and security initiatives.

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.

From June 16-21, nightly MAX service between PDX and Gateway will be disrupted beginning at 7:30 p.m.

A milestone approaches for TriMet’s newest trains before they enter regular service: testing on the MAX Red Line. It will happen this June over six consecutive nights. To provide dedicated space for testing, the Red Line will experience nightly disruptions from Sunday, June 16, through Friday, June 21, between the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport.

To lessen the impact on riders, we’re limiting the disruption to evenings and the overnight hours when ridership is lower. Shuttle buses will replace MAX Red Line trains starting at 7:30 p.m. and last until the end of service, stopping at all closed stations between the Gateway Transit Center and PDX. Red Line service will then resume each morning on its regular schedule.

MAX Red Line service will be fully restored after testing is completed on Saturday, June 22.

The disruption is necessary to give our newest light rail vehicles— our “Type 6” MAX trains — dedicated track space to conduct electromagnetic compatibility tests. Electromagnetic fields are common. It’s how radio, TV and cellular signals are transmitted. During testing, crews will need to clear an area to set up equipment to measure the train’s electromagnetic characteristics to ensure the trains do not create excessive emissions and that emissions don’t interfere with safe train operation. These tests are required before any new light rail vehicle enters regular service, ensuring that it’s compatible with industry standards as well as our existing rail system.

June 16-21: Know before you go

We’ll be moving riders around the nighttime disruptions using shuttle buses. Those shuttles will run between Gateway and PDX, arriving about every 10 minutes. They will continue until the end of service in the early morning hours. There will be no impacts on the MAX Blue, Green, Orange or Yellow lines.

You can sign up for alerts now by going to trimet.org/emailupdates and be reminded of the disruptions directly as they approach. We encourage riders to plan an extra 30 minutes for their trips for the times when shuttle buses are operating in place of MAX service. Shuttle buses at PDX will pick up and drop off riders outside the doors of the lower baggage claim area, near the MAX station. Look for signs directing the way.

Luggage is welcome aboard MAX Red Line shuttle buses, but please keep in mind that there will be less space on board. We will have extra staff available to assist riders and help them make their connections.

We want to thank riders in advance for their patience and understanding. Although introducing a new type of train is involved work, it’s something that’s worth the investment. Light rail vehicles are capable of serving riders for decades. Our oldest trains have been in continuous operation for 38 years!

Type 6 testing

We’re eager to get our newest MAX trains rolling for riders. And we’re getting close! In total, we’re introducing 30 new vehicles, and we’ve been putting them through a series of tests these past several months to prepare them for service. Two trains have already entered the final operational testing phase, what we call the “burn-in,” where we run them out of service for 5,000 miles. The rest of the trains will go through a 1,500-mile burn-in.

TriMet expects to start introducing the new vehicles beginning this summer. Similar to all but our oldest trains, which were introduced in 1986, these are manufactured by Siemens Mobility. They feature operator cabs on both ends and space on board for 168 riders.

Once the trains are in service, riders will be greeted by a top-of-the-line vehicle that’s comfortable and efficient, with improved technology, better lighting, updated digital displays and improved temperature controls. They will also feature upgraded diagnostics, making it easier to predict when maintenance is needed. For more information, visit trimet.org/max6.

Non-TriMet employees are now eligible to apply directly for MAX operator jobs and enter training pipeline

***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***

TriMet is offering a fast track to a career in light rail operations. For the first time ever, we are seeking candidates from outside TriMet who are interested in becoming MAX operators. This comes as TriMet continues our biggest hiring push in the agency’s history.

Positions come with a starting wage of $29.18 per hour and a $7,500 hiring bonus, with regular pay increases as part of the Working and Wage Agreement between TriMet and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757. In addition to representation by the ATU, MAX operators receive great benefits, access to overtime, generous retirement accounts, paid time off and career development opportunities. 

Beginning Friday, April 26, people with no prior TriMet experience can apply to become MAX operators at trimet.org/careers. This gives you the chance to join an exclusive team of dedicated, highly-trained light rail professionals who keep the region moving every day. No bus training is required!

After the hiring process, candidates will bypass the seven-week bus operator training and instead be slotted into the next available MAX training class. Due to the fast-tracking of available MAX positions, they are open to candidates with a safe driving record and who already possess a valid Class “A or B” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or who can obtain a CDL permit. This requires taking three written tests at the DMV. Once employed, TriMet provides CDL driving training, with new hires obtaining their licenses on the job.

MAXimum career potential 

We know that operating a train is a dream for many people. After all, it isn’t an opportunity that comes along often. It requires learning the “language of the railroad” and developing unique skills, along with committing to a culture of customer service and safety. No matter what position you fill at TriMet, you’re the point person to help our customers and make sure they feel safe and welcome. These foundational skills are priorities for TriMet, and excelling at them opens a world of possibilities! 

In addition to the $7,500 hiring bonus, MAX operators receive a generous package of benefits that includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost
• Two retirement plans, with an 8% agency base pay contribution to an employee’s 401a account
• One week of paid vacation and up to 40 hours sick leave in the first year of employment, with paid time off rolling over and increasing over time
• Health and dependent care spending accounts
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program with mental health and counseling services, legal assistance, financial coaching and home ownership programs
• Annual transit pass for employee and eligible family members
• 24-hour access to five exclusive, low-cost, on-site fitness centers
• Representation by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 75

Requirements and opportunities

One of the unsung benefits of TriMet is the opportunity for career advancement. TriMet often hires from within for supervisory and managerial positions that require knowledge of our procedures and system. Exciting future career opportunities include Rail Training Supervisor, Rail Supervisor, Rail Controller, Rail Service Coordinator and many others.

MAX operator positions themselves were first extended to internal candidates before being made available to the general public. They require:

• A high school diploma or GED
• At least three years of driving experience with a clean record
• Ability to obtain an Oregon or Washington Commercial Learner Permit
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position

Get hired, receive training

Becoming a MAX operator requires extensive training. During training, you’ll become an expert on each of TriMet’s five lines. Training lasts 12 weeks and includes classroom and field instruction behind the controls. In addition to obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License, you’ll learn the ins and outs of operating a train safely and ways to troubleshoot problems. 

Join the team!

TriMet is hiring for a whole range of positions amid an historically tight employment market. Nonetheless, jobs in transit remain competitive, appealing and stable. We continue to hire maintenance workers, technicians, cleaners, mechanics and operators. 

Growth is our goal. This means bringing on even more operators–not only to match the current demand, but also to help meet future needs. Starting this summer, we will be increasing MAX Red Line service by extending it 10 stations west, from Beaverton to Hillsboro. Along with that, our Forward Together Service Concept emphasizes growing ridership and improving connections by expanding our Frequent Service bus network and extending bus service to new areas. This multi-year concept for service improvements, through 2029, requires bus and rail operators to support it.
To learn more about all the jobs TriMet offers, visit trimet.org/careers.

Transit centers, rail stations and vehicles are focus of efforts to improve cleanliness, safety and the overall riding experience

Equipped with grabber claws and bright orange buckets, members of TriMet’s specially trained “Clean Team” receive the ‘all clear’ from their lookout to start walking the tracks when MAX trains have passed. Once on the tracks, they use the claws to scrape, pry and pluck away trash, filling their buckets with enough debris to make a significant dent in litter.

Each month, they collect roughly 1,200 pounds of trash across our transit system, the equivalent in weight to an adult female polar bear. Considering most of this waste is made up of scraps–empty cups, wrappers and cigarette butts–it’s a big haul. It’s also just one part of a larger initiative to spruce up our system through enhanced cleaning, with a growing, multi-team effort that TriMet spearheaded in late 2023 to improve the system’s overall look and feel. 

The Clean Team is made up of employees from TriMet’s Facilities and Maintenance of Way departments, along with contractors specializing in painting and other repair work. 

Six months after getting started, more than 100 internal employees along with contractors are now dedicated to the effort, which spans everything from deep cleaning stations, to removing and replacing bus shelters, to repainting stations and installing new signs everywhere we can.

It’s more than picking up trash—it’s a comprehensive series of upgrades to make the experience better for our riders. Altogether, the continuous work serves a dual purpose: In the short term, it addresses the use that our system sees from more than 1.3 million trips per week. But in the long term, it sends the message that litter, tagging and damaged amenities are not tolerated and will be addressed quickly. 

Clean Team 

At the Providence Park MAX Station, a pressure washer is blasting away dirt and bird droppings. It’s something you might see elsewhere in the system right now, in part as a preemptive measure to maintain safety and cleanliness.

Pressure washing has become one of TriMet’s priorities in 2024. After all, the cleaner a station is, the more inviting it is. With more than 90 stations in the MAX light rail system, some receive extra attention due to higher ridership and the number of pigeons they attract.

Compared to two years ago, TriMet has more than doubled the number of times we have cleaned stations in the first quarter of 2024. We are already on track to wash and scrub stations more than 2,100 times this year!

Compared to two years ago, TriMet has more than doubled the number of times we have cleaned stations in the first quarter of 2024. We are already on track to wash and scrub stations more than 2,100 times this year!

The emphasis on stations will be expanded starting this summer. Crews will start rehabilitating every MAX station, spending about one month per station improving the tactile strips, repainting shelters and performing other upgrades. This comes on top of the bus shelters we have already replaced throughout the system.

Preventing damage

TriMet’s Clean Team is also working to prevent concrete from buckling, making it safer to walk by protecting stations and sidewalks from cracks that could create hazards. Often, this results from roots damaging concrete as trees grow.

Crews have started replacing the metal grates around trees, which can become tripping hazards when heaved up. They’re using a softer material that, unlike concrete, allows the trees to receive water but prevents roots from breaking through the surface. For empty tree wells, where trees have already been removed, crews have filled them with concrete to create a flat surface. It also makes them look better.

Making it cleaner and safer

Cleanliness and safety go hand-in-hand. Our riders thrive when they see a transit system that feels comfortable and inviting. TriMet’s enhanced cleaning comes as we also continue building out a comprehensive series of safety and security initiatives. 

Since 2022, TriMet has more than doubled the number of safety and security personnel we have on the system. That number will continue to grow in the months ahead, with TriMet’s 2025 approved budget quadrupling the safety and security budget compared to where it was in 2022.

In addition to having more safety and security personnel out on our system, our Clean Team and other field staff provide an extra presence. Among them are end-of-the-line cleaners. They are stationed at key transit Centers and MAX stations to take care of spills and trash during parts of the service day. They help make sure vehicles remain welcoming while in active service.

You, too, can do your part to help our Clean Team and take pride in the system.

• Use trash cans at stations and on board vehicles.
• Don’t feed the pigeons.
• Report unwanted or inappropriate behavior.

To report a non-urgent concern directly to TriMet Security 24 hours a day, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE), or submit a report online. And for more information about TriMet’s security initiatives, go to trimet.org/security.