Your digital ticket doubles as your TriMet ticket for up to three hours before and after matches
Timbers and Thorns fans take note: On match days, it just got easier to get to and from Providence Park. Beginning with the Timbers’ regular season home opener on February 24, and lasting all season long, you can ride TriMet buses and MAX trains to the match using your digital game-day ticket as your fare.
Beginning three hours before kickoff and ending three hours after the match, your ticket to the game doubles as your ticket to ride. Just plan your trip at trimet.org, then once you board, show your digital match-day ticket to the bus operator. If you’re taking MAX, your Timbers or Thorns ticket will be your proof of fare if you’re asked by our Customer Safety Supervisors. Then, just sit back, relax and leave the driving to us.
TriMet’s partnership with the Timbers and Thorns FC makes it easier to get to and from games, but the benefits go deeper than that. Riding transit to and from the game is fun and convenient, a way of building camaraderie with fellow fans without the hassle of finding parking. Plus, it’s a guaranteed “W” for the environment no matter how the game turns out. Every time you ride transit, you’re helping to relieve congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By taking automobiles off the road for unnecessary trips, we can all do our part to help the region realize its carbon-reduction goals.
Planning your trip
Planning your trip to the match is easy using TriMet’s trip planner on trimet.org, with information on travel and walk times, as well as transfers. You can also use the webpage on your mobile phone to track TriMet’s buses and trains in real time on our interactive map.
Keep in mind that stations, buses and trains may be busier than normal. Stay safe and watch out for each other, and if you see unsafe behavior or conduct that makes you uncomfortable, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to contact the TriMet Security Support team 24 hours a day, or submit a report online. You can also report it to TriMet personnel. For urgent concerns, alert the operator or call 911. We will have extra security staff available at Providence Park before and after matches.
Gateway North MAX Station, the first new station in nine years, opens March 4 when the disruption ends
Like a train rolling down the tracks, completion of the second of three major phases of TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project is getting closer. Once that second phase finishes on March 4, TriMet will reach another milestone on the way toward improving how riders move through a main connector for the MAX system. Not only will these changes help riders roll more efficiently through the Gateway Transit Center—where the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines meet—but they will also prevent trains from backing up on other sections of the MAX system.
Despite a harsh winter storm that shifted the disruption’s end date by one week, crews have been working around the clock for the past three weeks to finish construction just north of the Gateway Transit Center. Currently, MAX Blue and Green line service is disrupted. MAX Red Line service is temporarily suspended, and shuttle buses are serving all closed stations. We are encouraging riders to consider other transportation options during the disruption, if possible, including TriMet’s regular bus service.
Along Interstate 84, other crews are using the disruption to make further improvements to TriMet’s oldest section of trackway. They have been replacing rail and upgrading rail ties, in addition to deep cleaning stations and picking up litter.
The six-week disruption is an investment of time and resources necessary to complete multiple improvement projects at the same time, preventing the need to disrupt service in the future to do this work. We thank our riders for their understanding and patience as we enter the back stretch of the work, and we look forward to returning MAX Blue, Green and Red Line trains to regular service in March, with improved service through the Gateway Transit Center.
Gateway growth
The Gateway Transit Center is both growing and becoming more efficient thanks to this work. It’s necessary to meet the needs of the MAX system, which has quadrupled in size since it and the transit center opened in 1986. Not only that, it will help accommodate future growth. The centerpiece of the transit center’s expansion will be the new Gateway North MAX Station. While this will be its own separate station, it will also be part of the now-larger transit center, connected via a pedestrian pathway.
Crews have made considerable progress on Gateway North, with the station’s structures mostly in place. Hop readers, ticket machines, lighting and shelter glass will be installed over the next couple of weeks. That’s also when crews will put the finishing touches on the concrete pathway, which will allow riders to easily make their connections.
Focus on the future
With track work at the Gateway Transit Center nearly complete, most of the remaining work involves tying it into the existing system. These improvements, along with the extended MAX Red Line that will complete this summer, will improve reliability and allow us to add capacity.
On the west side, work continues on making Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport the new end of the MAX Red Line. Crews are finishing a new pedestrian crossing, along with a signals and communications room, both of which are on track to finish by the end of March. The Red Line extension will then open to the public this summer, along with a new break building for operators.
A Better Red
A Better Red is reaching the end of the line, with about 90% of the project done. While we still have to finish the current disruption and put the final touches on the 10-station MAX Red Line extension to Hillsboro, it won’t be long before riders will have a one-seat trip between Fair Complex, near Hillsboro Airport, and PDX.
Improvements around the Gateway Transit Center and the airport — including the addition of a second track, a rebuilt PDX station and the new Gateway North MAX Station— will improve reliability across the entire system. For more information about A Better Red, go to trimet.org/betterred.
Some Type 1s have been sent off to recycling to make room for the trains of the future
The first time Roger Andreassen walked up the steps of a MAX train, he felt at home. It was January 1986 and a mere 30 minutes into his job as a “commissioning engineer”— one of the people making sure that what was then TriMet’s new fleet of 26 light rail vehicles worked properly. The recent University of Portland graduate saw the future of regional transit in front of him: sparkling chrome and fresh vinyl seats, with a subtly European flavor to the design.
Up until then, the mid-1980s, TriMet had only run bus service. The introduction of MAX light rail was a decades-in-the-making shift in transportation planning—not just for TriMet, but for most of North America. The agency was only the second city on the West Coast—behind San Diego, Calif.—to construct a light rail line, and one of only a handful in all of the United States, Canada or Mexico. TriMet had hired a few experts from the East Coast to assist with getting the new trains and line ready, but for the employees and consultants of a brand new rail system like TriMet’s MAX, it was trial by train.
“People like me—we just learned on the job,” Andreassen says, recalling that early experience.
It’s been 38 years and Andreassen is back with TriMet as a project manager, this time with decades of experience under his belt as he works to test and commission TriMet’s newest fleet of light rail vehicles. He’s part of a larger team of experts working on the process of bringing these state-of-the-art trains to riders.
Known as the Type 6 and manufactured by Siemens Mobility, these light rail vehicles come with a variety of new features, including the ability to predict maintenance issues before they happen. There are digital destination displays for riders, LED lights along the doors to assist with boarding and improved temperature controls. The biggest difference are the computers. The Type 6 vehicles can be described as a computer network on steel wheels. By comparison, the first trains TriMet introduced in 1986 were completely analog.
Farewell, Type 1s
You may be seeing fewer Type 1s rolling by, with their distinctive boxy look and elevated floors. TriMet has begun decommissioning some of the trains to make room for the Type 6s at our Ruby Junction Operating Facility. The process involves our mechanics first removing parts from the trains’ HVAC systems, followed by the wheel trucks, gearbox oil, hydraulic fluid, batteries and other components that cannot be recycled.
Once that happens, most vehicles are separated into sections and then placed onto the back of a 50-foot truck for transport. For a fully intact vehicle, the process is more complicated. There is only one company on the West Coast with the ability to transport an intact vehicle, and it requires special permits. Where it can go is limited as well because of its size. It’s a process that takes considerable time and planning and must be coordinated to take place as TriMet receives new trains to test.
Preserving history
The Type 1s aren’t gone yet, nor are they all going away forever. At Radius Recycling in North Portland, they’re being turned into rebar, which will be used to construct new buildings. Plans also call for the preservation of at least one MAX train car. It will go to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, Ore., the largest trolley museum in the Pacific Northwest, featuring a collection of vehicles from around the world.
At the museum, the Type 1 would join other vehicles from Portland’s transit past—including cars from the Mt. Hood, Broadway, Council Crest and Portland interurban systems. The museum features an operational rail yard, where visitors can take rides on the various vehicles. That’s the proposal for the Type 1, allowing rail enthusiasts to continue hopping on board the original MAX well into the future.
Type 6 testing
Preparing the Type 6 trains for service is underway, with 14 of the 30 vehicles currently on site at Ruby Junction.
They continue to go through rigorous static and dynamic testing on the test track at Ruby Junction and on the mainline during non-revenue service hours. This is the final step where engineers test propulsion and braking at high-speed. Upon completion of testing, the vehicles then operate at least 1,500 mile in simulated revenue service prior to being certified to transport passengers. It’s an extensive process, during which every system is tested multiple times to ensure they meet all safety and performance requirements.
‘A better vehicle overall’
For Andreassen, he’ll be sad to see the Type 1s go, but he’s also excited about the next generation of MAX trains. The older cars were expected to last 30 years, and they have exceeded that. They have become the very definition of vintage, with replacement parts having become impossible to obtain, he says.
Now when he walks through a new Type 6, he sees how just how much regional transit has evolved from the early days nearly 40 years ago.
“You’re trying to strive for a better vehicle overall,” Andreassen says. “For TriMet, it’s to have something that is cost effective and reliable, and for the riders it’s so they can enjoy it more.”
For more information about the next generation of MAX train, go to trimet.org/max6.
With construction now fully underway, the disruption will last for the next six weeks, with MAX service reopening on March 4
The region’s weeklong dangerous and destructive winter storm has shifted the timeline for the MAX disruption necessary for TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project.
The disruption to the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines is now underway. With the shifted schedule in place, we plan to return the lines to regular service on Monday, March 4.
The new completion date gives crews the time they need to finish vital work on A Better Red around the Gateway Transit Center, as well as make improvements to the MAX system along Interstate 84 and elsewhere. Completing all of these projects will help prevent the need for further disruptions in the immediate future.
Safety comes first in emergencies
We know riders and people across the region have been through a challenging week, and we appreciate their understanding as we transitioned our transit system from emergency weather operations to the planned A Better Red disruption on Sunday, Jan. 21. This came after restoring MAX service system wide, except on the MAX Red Line, on Saturday, Jan. 20, following the unrelenting cold and bouts of snow, high winds and ice. Our focus was on the safety of our riders, employees and equipment during the extreme conditions, as well as keeping as much transit service moving as possible and restoring service that had to be suspended.
Power outages, downed trees, packed ice and frigid temperatures created many challenges, and our crews sprang into action, working around the clock to tackle issues as they emerged. We enlisted the help of staff from nearly ten contractors who had been standing by for the Better Red project work to begin. They quickly shifted to assist our employees with our recovery efforts, especially on the MAX system. They helped remove snow and ice from trackways, rail crossings and platforms, as well as downed trees and make repairs to our overhead wire system that was damaged on the west side.
While we had to pause major portions of the project, some crews were actually able to get a bit of the construction underway during the storm, including some work on the new track and station just north of Gateway Transit Center, but, understandably, the conditions weren’t the best for that type of work.
With the storm finally past, TriMet’s focus can now be on the future—improving our riders’ overall experience by relieving a chokepoint in our system. This will have positive impacts across the entire MAX system and allow us to grow our light rail network in the future.
Getting around the disruption
With major construction on A Better Red having resumed, our top focus is on getting you around the disruption. We are running shuttle buses to replace light rail service on the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Trips will take longer, and in some cases regular bus service may be faster. Our trip-planning tool—trimet.org/planner—will give you the fastest route from point A to point B during the disruption. But in many cases, transferring to shuttle buses will be necessary. Please consider other transportation if traveling through the disrupted area, if possible.
Here’s what you need to know:
MAX Blue Line: The Blue Line will be split into two sections. Trains will operate between Hatfield Government Center in Hillsboro and NE 7th Ave in Portland as well as between E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave in Gresham. Shuttle buses will serve stations between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave.
MAX Green Line: Green Line trains will only travel between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and SE Main St. Shuttle buses will run directly between SE Main St and Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, those continuing west toward Downtown Portland will need to transfer to Blue Line shuttle buses heading to NE 7th Ave. In Downtown Portland, there will be no Green Line trains running. Use MAX Orange and Yellow lines or regular bus service along the Transit Mall on 5th and 6th avenues.
MAX Red Line: Red Line service will not operate during the disruption. Use the MAX Blue Line between Beaverton Transit Center and NE 7th Ave and shuttle buses between NE 7th Ave and Gateway Transit Center. For trips to and from the airport, a Red Line shuttle bus will run between Gateway and PDX, serving the three stations along the way.
MAX Orange and Yellow lines: MAX Orange and Yellow line service will not be affected by the project, and trains will operate on regular schedules.
A Better Red
A Better Red is TriMet’s multi-year project to extend the MAX Red Line west to Hillsboro and improve train movement through the Gateway Transit Center and at Portland International Airport. Despite the recent weather challenges, the project remains on schedule to be fully completed this summer. As one of the largest civil construction projects in Oregon, work cannot be limited to the summer months without significant increases to both its cost and schedule.
Improvements have been happening to the MAX Red Line as we make progress on the project that kicked off in the fall of 2021. Last summer, crews added a second track near Portland International Airport and rebuilt the MAX station there. These enhancements opened in October, following 126 days of construction. Upon completion of the current disruption, Red Line riders will experience a new inbound-only MAX station, dubbed Gateway North, along with new track and bridges to speed-up travel. The final phase of the project will be the Red Line extension ten stations west to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, which will open in August 2024. We thank our riders for their patience during the different stages of construction. Not only will the project improve the MAX Red Line, it will increase reliability across the entire MAX system. For more information, go to trimet.org/bettered.
Note: Due to extreme winter weather in January 2024, the completion date for the project shifted. The following media release has been edited to reflect that change.
Riders can plan ahead now, as MAX Blue, Green and Red line trains will return to regular service on Monday, March 4
Construction on TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project will close the Gateway Transit Center to MAX trains for six weeks. With the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines impacted, shuttle buses will serve closed stations through the end of the disruption on March 3, with regular service returning on March 4. TriMet will also use this opportunity to perform reliability improvements to the MAX system along Interstate 84 and just east of the transit center.
MAX Blue and Green line service will be disrupted for the duration of the project. MAX Red Line service will be temporarily suspended. That means no MAX Red Line service from mid-January and through February. Riders should consider other transportation options during the disruption, if possible, including TriMet’s regular bus service.
What riders need to know
MAX Blue Line: The Blue Line will be split into two sections. Trains will operate between Hatfield Govt. Center in Hillsboro and NE 7th Ave in Portland as well as between E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave in Gresham. Shuttle buses will replace trains between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave.
MAX Green Line: Green Line trains will only travel between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and SE Main St. Shuttle buses for the Green Line will take riders between SE Main St and Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, riders continuing west toward Downtown Portland will need to board shuttle buses heading to NE 7th Ave. In Downtown Portland, there will be no Green Line trains running, so riders should use MAX Orange and Yellow lines or regular bus service along the Transit Mall on 5th and 6th avenues.
MAX Red Line: Red Line service will not operate during the disruption. Riders can still use the MAX Blue Line for trips between Beaverton Transit Center and NE 7th Ave and shuttle buses for trips between NE 7th Ave and Gateway Transit Center. For trips to and from the airport, shuttle buses will run between Gateway and PDX, and they will serve all stations along the way.
MAX Orange and Yellow lines: MAX Orange and Yellow line service will not be affected by the project, and trains will operate on regular schedules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4igjRBdREc
We are grateful for your continued patience and cooperation as we work on this critical phase of construction. When regular MAX service resumes on March 4, there will be a new MAX Red Line station called Gateway North serving inbound Red Line riders. Red Line trains will use the new bridges and track that construction crews have spent more than two years building. Adding this new station at Gateway will improve train movement at this busy connection point for three MAX lines, enhancing reliability across the entire system by reducing delays and making trips from the airport into Downtown Portland more efficient.
Tips for riding
Consider using alternative modes of transportation during the project. As much as we want to welcome you on board, we expect shuttle buses to be more crowded during this phase of the project.
Consider using regular bus service. You can easily plan your trip and track your bus at trimet.org.
Plan at least an extra 60 minutes for your trips.
Follow us on social media. We have several social media accounts that can keep you informed with the latest developments, news and service information. Follow us on Instagram, @TriMet on X (formerly Twitter) and on Facebook. We also post timely service information on X @trimetalerts, and you can even message your questions to @trimethelp.
Sign up to receive Service Alerts and information about A Better Red sent directly to your phone or email at trimet.org/email.
Bus lines serving the Gateway Transit Center and stops near MAX lines will likely see increased ridership during the disruption. While buses may be fuller than you’re used to, please remember to make the priority seating area available to seniors and people with disabilities.
Better Red – building progress
Disruptions are sometimes necessary for large-scale projects, as they give crews the room needed to work safely and around the clock. Construction of TriMet’s A Better Red project began in 2021 with the goal of delivering important track improvements between the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport, as well as extending the Red Line into Hillsboro. These will improve reliability on the MAX Red Line, while helping keep trains running on time throughout the entire MAX light rail system.
The project has been made possible thanks to a $99.9 million construction grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is covering a substantial portion of the approximately $215 million cost. With Better Red now 85% complete, it has delivered on its promise of investing in workforce development and transportation improvements that will contribute to the region’s carbon emissions goals.
Through 2023, more than 406,000 work-hours have been spent on construction activities, making A Better Red among Oregon’s largest civil construction project currently and TriMet’s most substantial light rail project since the MAX Orange Line opened in 2015. Over the course of more than two years, 400 tons of new rail have been installed along with 4,400 new concrete ties, all of which have been procured within the United States.
Since getting underway, the project has reshaped the MAX Red Line, with new bridges fortified over I-84 by 1.3 million pounds of structural steel and 63,000 square feet of retaining walls constructed. Riders are already enjoying new features, including the updated Portland International Airport MAX Station and the second track installed near it.
The multi-year project remains on schedule, with the extension to Hillsboro opening in late August 2024. For more information on the project, visit trimet.org/bettered.
Note: Due to extreme winter weather in January 2024, the completion date for the project shifted. The following media release has been edited to reflect that change.
Some MAX riders encouraged to use other transportation as contractors finish construction at the Gateway Transit Center and perform additional improvements
TriMet is preparing to put the finishing touches on our A Better Red construction at the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center, capping off a major part of a project that broke ground in September 2021. To reach this milestone, the Gateway Transit Center will be closed to trains. During that time, crews will connect the new track and systems that were previously constructed just north of the transit center, and they’ll get the new Gateway North station ready for service beginning on Monday, March 4.
We encourage those who ride MAX Blue, Green and Red lines to use alternative modes of transportation during the disruption. MAX will not serve the Gateway Transit Center while construction is taking place, with MAX Blue and Green lines disrupted and MAX Red Line suspended. Fixed-route and shuttle buses will continue to serve the transit center, however. Elsewhere, mainly along Interstate 84, contractors will use the closure as an opportunity to make improvements to our oldest part of the MAX system.
The work will be the last piece of a yearslong effort to rebuild segments of the MAX Red Line near the Gateway Transit Center and PDX. This part of the Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability project will improve train movement between the transit center and airport by adding another track to previously single-tracked sections. It also includes new bridges and a new MAX station for inbound trains heading toward City Center, which will be located just north of the transit center. The bridges, along with the new station, will be mostly completed and in use when trains resume regular service on Monday, March 4.
Stay informed and plan ahead
As the connection point for three MAX lines and seven bus lines, the Gateway Transit Center is a major hub of transit activity. Due to the complexity of the work, riders will notice more shuttle buses than during previous projects, and in some cases, riders will need to transfer from one shuttle bus to another to make connections.
We encourage riders to use alternative modes of transportation during the project if they can. Bus lines 12, 15, 19, 20 and 77 can be used as alternatives for some MAX trips, but they may experience higher ridership as a result of the project. LIFT Paratransit and the Columbia Gorge Express will also continue to serve the Gateway Transit Center.
Here’s how the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be affected:
MAX Blue Line: MAX Blue Line will operate between Hatfield Government Center and NE 7th Ave, as well as E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave. Trains will arrive about every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Shuttle buses will serve stations between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave, departing every seven minutes. Connect to shuttle buses to PDX or SE Main St at Gateway.
MAX Green Line: MAX Green Line will operate between Clackamas Town Center and SE Main St. These will be single-car trains due to their shortened travel distance and the impacts of the project. They will arrive every 15 minutes. Shuttle buses will travel between SE Main St and the Gateway Transit Center every 15 minutes as well.
MAX Red Line: MAX Red Line will not operate during the disruption. For trips toward Portland International Airport, board a MAX Blue Line train, then take a shuttle bus to the Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, exit and transfer to a shuttle bus to the airport. These shuttle buses will depart every 15 minutes.
MAX Orange and Yellow lines will be operating on regular schedules during the disruption. With MAX Green Line being shortened, riders heading to Portland State University can board Yellow Line trains at Interstate/Rose Quarter.
Look ahead and start planning
We apologize for the inconvenience! We know disruptions can be challenging, but they are necessary, an investment in the long-term reliability of our rail system that lead to major reliability investments down the road. By doing this work, we will reduce the need for further disruptions along this stretch of the MAX system for many years. You’ll be able to plan ahead. Right now, you can visit our disruption page at trimet.org/improvements to view videos on how the shuttle buses will run and to learn more information about the project.
At Gateway and select stations, we will have customer service personnel to help you. Also, look for directional signs at shuttle bus locations and watch for the destination signs on buses to make sure you’re boarding the right one.
A Better Red plus other improvements
Not only will the disruption end with the completion of a major Better Red milestone, there will be other improvements. This type of construction project provides an opportunity to make upgrades within areas of the system closed to train traffic, making it less likely that we’ll have to do this work in the future.
In addition to the work at Gateway, TriMet will replace around 9,000 wooden rail ties with more durable concrete ones, and we’ll install 14,000 feet of new rail, including curved rail at NE 97th Ave. This part of the system is part of the original MAX Blue Line and has been in near-constant use for the past 37 years.
Closing sections of the system for rail improvements also provides a chance to remove litter and graffiti in the MAX right of way, which can be challenging during regular service or the brief overnight window when trains aren’t running.
A Better Red
Thank you for your understanding and patience! We are now about 85% done with the entire A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project. Once it’s fully completed next summer, riders will have a one-seat trip between Hillsboro Airport and PDX — an extension of the MAX Red Line by 10 new stations west! Improvements around Gateway and the airport — including the addition of a second track, a rebuilt PDX station and a new Red Line station north of Gateway for inbound trains heading into Downtown Portland — will improve reliability across the entire system.
Facilities across the transit system are going through thorough deep cleaning and daily improvements as part of refresh
You may notice more activity at TriMet’s stations and transit centers: painting, power washing, litter pick up and more. It’s all part of a focused effort to refresh our most heavily used rail stations and transit hubs, along with our track areas and equipment. More than a simple clean up, TriMet is also replacing damaged signs, glass, older bus shelters and trash receptacles.
Repairing and renewing TriMet facilities
Enter the “Clean Team,” a TriMet group dedicated to sprucing up the system. They are working with an initial emphasis on some of our oldest stations, which are also among our most heavily used. These include several stations along Interstate 84 and in Downtown Portland, which are now more than 37 years old.
At the Gateway Transit Center, crews have replaced bus shelters and begun deep-cleaning efforts, including repainting the MAX shelters on the platforms. Elsewhere, the Clean Team is working to revitalize public art, eliminate graffiti and improve landscaping.
Making it better on board and off
TriMet’s commitment to maintaining a safe and clean transit system shines through in our daily efforts to target vehicles, stations and transit centers. In a strategic move to enhance cleanliness, end-of-line cleaners are stationed at seven key transit Centers and MAX stations where operators take their breaks. Working seven days a week, they take care of spills and trash to make sure vehicles remain welcoming while in active service.
Those cleaners focusing on trains and buses are joined by other cleaners, whose daily efforts emphasize the platforms at rail stations. But with a service area stretched across 533 square miles, and with about 1.3 million trips made each week, there’s a lot to do! TriMet’s Clean Team helps by going deeper and reaching more areas than we can with daily cleaning.
This includes:
Repainting structures, such as poles and shelters
Deep cleaning shelter roofs and station platforms
Cleaning or covering over graffiti
Repairing damaged equipment, such as tactile pavers, pylons and signs
Improving landscaping, including making sure tree roots don’t damage walkways
Removing tripping hazards
Picking up litter from the track area and nearby
The work comes as TriMet has increased security, and we’re rolling out better service as part of Forward Together, the service plan developed with the community. The COVID-19 pandemic posed the greatest public health crisis in over a century and pushed limited resources toward health and sanitation initiatives for nearly two years. Now, as more people return to the system, we want to make sure we’re looking our best and giving our riders the customer experience they want and deserve.
Keeping TriMet safe and clean
Rider safety and comfort are always TriMet’s top focus, no matter the circumstance. This year has seen more efforts aimed at making riding easier, faster and friendlier. TriMet has doubled the number of Customer Safety Supervisors on the system and deployed a diverse and growing security presence, with more than 300 people across various teams.
We also know cleanliness matters. Nothing is better than when everyone takes pride and ownership in the space they share with others. Here are some things you can do to help us keep buses, trains, stations, stops and other locations looking and feeling good. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Set a good example by not leaving your trash behind. Not only is litter a nuisance and bad for the environment, it can also attract pests.
Don’t feed the pigeons! As friendly as they seem, pigeons can spread diseases, mites and cause damage to the areas we all use. Feeding them only encourages their behavior, diminishing the hard work of TriMet’s cleaners.
Report unwanted behavior, which can be anything from smoking to vandalism to other forms of disruptive conduct. Because we want to know of bad behavior as soon as you see it, we recently made it easier to report security concerns 24 hours a day. For non-urgent matters, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or submit a report at trimet.org by clicking the security button. If it is urgent, tell the operator or other TriMet employee, or contact 911.
TriMet can take you to and from many of the season’s celebrations, and trimet.org makes it easy to plan before you go
All the good cheer of the most wonderful season of the year tends to disappear in holiday traffic. But before your heart shrinks three sizes too small and your skin sprouts green shag, remember there’s an easier way around congestion with TriMet. In the spirit of the season, the biggest and most useful gift we can give riders is a convenient trip where we’re in the driver’s seat and finding parking isn’t an issue.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without crowds, which may lead to delays no matter how you decide to travel. Being patient will be important, especially when traveling to busy shopping destinations or during popular events. You can easily plan and track your trip at trimet.org. Just check trimet.org/alerts before you go.
Pioneer Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
This year’s holiday festivities start with the flip of a switch, as the City of Roses will once again turn into the City of Lights. Portland’s Tree Lighting returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 24. The annual event will take place between 5:30-6:30 p.m. and feature a sing-a-long led by Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers.
With as many as 15,000 on hand for the festivities, MAX platforms at and across from the square will be closed for safety from 3 p.m. until about 7 p.m., or when the crowds disperse. They include:
Pioneer Square North
Pioneer Square South
Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave Station
To reach the square, get off one stop before or after.
All MAX lines may experience minor delays due to the large crowd. Buses will detour off of SW 6th Ave. until about 7 p.m.
We will have extra personnel out during the tree lighting providing security and helping people get around. They will include bus and rail supervisors who serve multiple roles, including operator support, encouraging safe behavior and assisting riders with questions. Let them or other TriMet personnel know if you need help or if you have an issue to report.
If you see something out of the ordinary, you can text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE), or submit a report online, to report a non-urgent concern directly to TriMet Security 24 hours a day. For an urgent concern, alert the operator or text or call 911 in an emergency.
Bus detours around Clackamas Town Center
The Clackamas Town Center’s parking lot can become busy during heavy holiday shopping. With the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center nearby and buses serving the parking lot directly, TriMet will detour buses around the Clackamas Town Center on the three busiest shopping days of the year.
The bus detours will be in effect between 1-6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, Saturday, Dec. 23, and Sunday, Dec. 24. The Clackamas Town Center Transit Center itself will remain open, and the bus detours will not affect MAX Green Line service.
The stops that will be temporarily closed (ID 13247 and ID 13248) are located off of Ring Road, which loops around the parking lot. The stop for eastbound Clackamas Town Center buses (ID 12921) will be moved to a temporary location between the entrance of the Cinema and Monterey Avenue. From the temporary stop, buses will travel to the SE Fuller Rd MAX Station, where riders can transfer to the MAX Green Line.
At the Fuller Rd MAX Station, riders can board a Green Line train to continue to the Clackamas Town Center mall stop (ID 13132). Westbound buses will serve a temporary stop at the SE Fuller Rd MAX Station before continuing to the Clackamas Town Center Mall stop (ID 12922). We will have signs posted and customer service representatives out to help people make their connections if needed. Riders can also get off at the Clackamas Town Center Mall stop (ID 12922) and proceed about ½ mile to Clackamas Town Center Transit Center to board MAX.
Take TriMet to holiday events!
A new tradition is starting this year, with the City of Portland’s introduction of an ice rink and holiday marketplace, Woodsy Winter Village, near the west end of the Morrison Bridge. The marketplace and ice rink will be located on Southwest Naito Parkway between Harvey Milk and Morrison streets. They’ll be open from Dec. 16 through Jan. 28, with the ice rink operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through December except for Christmas Day. Stations for MAX Blue and Red line trains are located within a few hundred feet, as are stops for bus lines 15-Belmont/NW 23rd and 16-Front Ave/St Helens Rd. The Portland Transit Mall, with bus and rail service serving multiple lines, is also located less than half a mile away.
The always popular Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo has also returned through Jan 7, 2024. With the Washington Park MAX station, served by the MAX Blue and Red lines, located near the entrance of the Oregon Zoo, Zoo Lights remains an ideal destination for those looking to leave their car at home.
In Washington County, the annual Tree Lighting at Orenco Station will happen on Nov. 25 from 4-6 p.m, with the lighting itself happening at 5:30 p.m. The MAX Blue Line serves Orenco Station, as do bus lines 47-Main/Evergreen and 48-Cornell.
The Spirit of Gresham Holiday Tree Lighting is set to dazzle and delight on Dec. 2 at the Arts Center, 488 NE Third Ave. The event starts at 5 p.m., with the tree lighting scheduled to happen at 6 p.m. The Arts Center is about a five minute walk from the Gresham Central Transit Center, which is served by MAX Blue Line as well as bus lines, 2, 9, 20, 21, 80, 81, 82 and 84.
There are many other events, marketplaces, festivals and concerts happening throughout the season, and we don’t want you to miss out. Check events calendars to see what’s happening near you and then go to trimet.org to see the best way of getting there.
Stay alert and use caution
There are bound to be a lot of distractions during the holidays. Don’t get so caught up that you aren’t being safe, especially at MAX and road crossings. Look both ways and make sure an umbrella, hood or other clothing doesn’t block your view. And if you can, bring a light or reflective clothing to help our operators and other drivers see you better. It’s going to be dark and busy, so stay alert, safe and seen.
While riding, if you see something that doesn’t seem right, let us know. Text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to report non-urgent security concerns 24 hours a day. For emergencies, alert the operator or contact 911. Learn about other efforts to make your ride safe at trimet.org/security.
While there will be no impact to transit riders, cyclists and others should plan for minor detours October 9–27
TriMet’s singularly iconic bridge and jewel of the Willamette River will soon undergo its first intensive examination of its cable system this month, a critical component in supporting the “cable-stayed” bridge. To accommodate the work, Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, will have intermittent closures of the north and south multi-use paths from Oct. 9 through Oct. 27.
The bike and pedestrian paths on both sides of the bridge will undergo alternating closures, always with one side open. For the safety of pedestrians and cyclists alike, bikes and e-scooters should not be ridden against the flow of traffic. Instead, they will be detoured to the nearby Hawthorne Bridge. Cyclists can also choose to walk their bikes across the bridge. Pedestrians will be able to cross using the open path. There will also be signs posted notifying people of the closed paths. There will be no impact to bus, MAX or Portland Streetcar service over the bridge.
The three-week project allows for the first in-depth inspection of Tilikum Crossing’s cable system. Inspectors will be looking for defects that go above and beyond simple wear and tear. To perform the work, they will need to use boom lifts and mobile elevated work platforms to get under, to the side of and above the bridge deck.
As the inspection may lead to minor adjustments for those on foot, bike or scooter, TriMet reminds them to continue using the marked crosswalks. They are located near the South Waterfront/SW Moody MAX Station on the west end or the OMSI/SE Water MAX Station on the east end of the bridge. We appreciate people’s patience as we perform this important work.
Maintaining the Bridge of the People
With cables radiating out of two towers and connecting at the deck, they function as supports for the bridge’s substructure, which spans 1,700 feet. The towers resist the tension in the cables and transfer the loads to the foundation. But this means that the cables and other bridge components, like the cable anchors, should be inspected over time to make sure they’re working properly.
October’s inspection will be the first to look solely at the cable system. After this, inspections of the cable system will take place every four years. They come in addition to the general inspections we conduct every two years in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration, the most recent of which happened in June.
The manufacturer, French engineering firm Freyssinet, will be performing the inspection with the assistance of TriMet’s Maintenance of Way team. This initial inspection is notable, as the Tilikum Crossing is the first bridge in the U.S. to use Freyssinet’s multi-tube saddle design for the cable system—making Tilikum Crossing unique to the U.S. not simply for being car free but also for its engineering. The special design allows each cable to run continuously from the deck, through the top of the tower and back down to the other side.
Inspections increase longevity
Inspections like this help us keep Tilikum Crossing safe. Opening in 2015 as part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit project, the bridge was constructed to last at least 100 years with regular upkeep. That’s why general safety inspections are required on Tilikum Crossing and the adjacent Harbor Way structure every two years. Since the bridge opened in 2015, these inspections have taken place in June 2023, 2021, 2019 and 2017. Learn more about Tilikum Crossing.
A community event at the SE Park Ave MAX Station will give the public a first look at a new train
TriMet’s sleek, blue and brand new MAX trains are ready for their sneak-peek introduction to the public!
We are bringing one of our newest-generation MAX trains—what we call the “Type 6”—to the SE Park Ave MAX Station in Milwaukie on Sunday, Oct. 15. Between noon and 2 p.m., the train will be open for the general public to view and explore. This will be the first look at one of these trains, which we expect to roll out for regular MAX service by the end of the year.
Come and join the fun! The celebration will feature food and drinks, tours, commemorative T-shirts and posters (while supplies last) and plenty of opportunities for photos and videos. We’ll also have representatives of TriMet’s Type 6 vehicle engineering team on site to answer questions about all the modern equipment that makes these trains our most technologically advanced yet!
Since this spring, TriMet has been welcoming new Type 6 train cars into our Ruby Junction Rail Operations Facility in Gresham. They undergo extensive testing in the railyard before advancing to a break-in period on the main MAX system. The trains are required to travel thousands of miles before they can start carrying passengers. It’s a thorough process that often takes place in the few early morning hours when MAX is not in service, which ensures the trains are safe and reliable when they start to welcome riders.
‘Type 6’ technological advances
Initially, we plan on bringing on 26 new trains to replace our aging first-generation “Type 1” trains, which have been serving riders since our first MAX line opened in 1986! Four additional trains are also being purchased for A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project, for a total of 30 new MAX trains added to our rail service.
The “Type 6” trains feature several new features to improve the riding experience and the trains’ performance. Some of the features riders will notice include:
Operator cabs at both ends of the train car and room on board for 168 riders.
New digital signs inside that will change to show the next MAX stop on the line.
New LED lights indicating available doors for boarding and getting off trains. The lights will show green when a door is available, red when not available and flash yellow when the doors are in motion.
Improved temperature controls to keep trains warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
‘Ta-ta, Type 1s!’
With the introduction of TriMet’s newest MAX trains just a couple of months away, we will soon be saying goodbye to our first-generation trains, the “Type 1s.” Introduced with the East Side MAX Project that created the MAX Blue Line, those 26 original trains have proven to be extremely durable over the years, thanks in large part to the work of TriMet’s maintenance team. Some will have traveled 2 million miles by the time they’re retired. That’s 80 times around the earth!
We will be preserving at least one of the trains for the Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, Ore. Most of the others will likely be recycled locally. We’re reusing whatever we can from the Type 1s, including their fluids, which we’ll be removing and using in train cars elsewhere in our fleet.
The first of our still-operational Type 1s will be retired later this month. The others will be taken out of service as we continue receiving and introducing into service our latest Type 6 trains.
Go by transit!
Interested in checking out the first new MAX train in nearly a decade? TriMet has you covered. Head to our SE Park Ave MAX Station on Sunday, Oct. 15 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. It’s conveniently located at the end of the MAX Orange Line, just south of Milwaukie.
Taking place near Downtown Milwaukie, the event will also be an opportunity to spend a crisp autumn day among the foliage, within a short distance of the Milwaukie Farmers’ Market. Bus lines 32 and 33 also serve stops within walking distance of the SE Park Ave MAX Station and Downtown Milwaukie. To plan a trip before you head out, go to trimet.org/planner. The SE Park Ave Park & Ride also has 401 parking spaces available.
