TriMet can take you to and from many of the season’s celebrations, but always plan ahead before you go

Following two years of virtual winter holiday events, TriMet is excited to welcome you back for this year’s tree lighting when it returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square in person on Friday, Nov. 25. Expect Portland’s living room to be bustling with holiday cheer beginning in the afternoon ahead of the 6 p.m. lighting.

With thousands anticipated to pack into Downtown for the event, we’ve got you covered and can help you get there and back home conveniently. But the crowd will also mean some adjustments to our service will be needed to help keep everyone safe and moving. Before leaving, check trimet.org and plan some extra time in case you experience delays.

Plan ahead, go early

In past years, as many as 15,000 people have made the trip Downtown for the tree lighting. A big crowd is expected this year as well to catch 14,000 lights blink to life on a 75-foot-tall Douglas Fir —and all the fanfare surrounding it!

We suggest planning your trip in advance and heading to the celebration early.

MAX service

Starting Friday afternoon, TriMet will be adjusting MAX service through Downtown due to crowds. From 3-7 p.m., MAX Blue and Red line trains will stop serving both the north and south Pioneer Courthouse Square stops, while the MAX Green and Yellow lines will bypass the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station. During the closures, trains will stop at the stations for safety but will not open their doors.

Bus service

Bus stops along a portion of Portland’s Transit Mall will also be affected. From 4-7 p.m., all bus lines on SW 6th Avenue (1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 17, 19, 35, 36, 43, 44, 54, 56, 94 and 99), along with C-TRAN buses, will not serve stops between SW Salmon and Washington streets. Buses will detour via SW 4th Avenue.

Around the time that Santa Claus flips the light switch at 6 p.m., riders should expect delays extending into the evening. Trains will stop for longer to allow people to safely leave the square. We’ll get the trains rolling and back on schedule as soon as possible!

Other sparkling holiday events

Downtown’s Pioneer Courthouse Square celebration won’t be the only holiday tree-lighting event this year. And for many of the others, TriMet can be your safe, reliable and convenient travel option. Here are a few events where TriMet provides quick and easy access:

• Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting: 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, Gresham’s Arts Plaza, 401 NE Second St.

Gresham is kicking off the holidays with its annual tree lighting at the Arts Plaza, located within walking distance of the Gresham Central Transit Center, served by MAX Blue Line.

• Beaverton Winter Lights Holiday Bazaar and Tree Lighting Event: 2-7 p.m.,Beaverton City Park, SW Hall Boulevard and SW Third Street.

Beaverton’s celebration promises to be a day filled with festivities culminating in the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at Beaverton Central Park. The park is located about a half mile from Beaverton Central MAX Station, served by MAX Blue Line. A number of bus lines also stop near or around the park. To plan your trip, go to trimet.org/planner.

• Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting: 4-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, South Downtown Plaza, 11222 SE Main St.

Milwaukie’s tradition of decorating umbrellas and parading them through downtown before the tree lighting continues this year at the South Downtown Plaza. The plaza, located at 11222 SE Main St, is just a three minute walk from Milwaukie/Main St MAX Station, served by MAX Orange Line.

Just remember, a day pass costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for youth (ages 7-17) and honored citizens (ages 65+). Kids 6 and younger ride free. Make sure you tap the Hop reader with your contactless credit/debit card, phone equipped with a mobile wallet or your physical or virtual Hop card (stored on your phone) every time you board. It’s your proof of payment.  

Be safe and courteous

We hope you have a happy and safe time at whatever holiday celebration you attend this year. With more people out and about, remember to be aware of your surroundings and courteous to others. Pay special attention while crossing MAX tracks and streets. Bring a light or wear reflective clothing if you can to help stay visible, and above all have a great time!

The initial improvements, part of TriMet’s extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro, are scheduled to finish this weekend

The first phase of trackway construction for TriMet’s A Better Red MAX reliability and extension project near Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport is on schedule to finish on time this weekend.  

MAX Blue Line trains will resume regular service Sunday, Nov. 20, following an eight-day disruption for construction that is part of TriMet’s multi-year A Better Red project. The work is laying the foundation to extend the MAX Red Line west 10 stations, from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport. This section of the light rail system dates back to TriMet’s Westside Blue Line extension.

Improvements to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport

Crews have been working since Nov. 12 to improve components of the light rail system near the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station. Once TriMet completes work on A Better Red in 2024, the station will be the new west side terminus for the MAX Red Line, the end result of a 10-station service extension of the line from Beaverton Transit Center into Hillsboro.

When it was completed in the 1990s, an auxiliary track at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport wasn’t planned to accommodate regular train movements. Crews have been working to make important improvements that will allow more trains to move around each other, including replacing critical track components used to turn back trains. They do this by crossing from one track to the other. Crews have also been replacing switch machines to automatically align the track direction—the devices that physically move parts of the track—along with worn, wooden rail ties.

In addition to preparing Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport for more train traffic in the future, crews have also been taking the opportunity to revitalize other parts of the system between Orenco/NW 231^st Ave and Hatfield Government Center. They’ve been grinding the rail and clearing brush and debris to help create smoother, more enjoyable trips for our riders.

Since the start of the project, field staff, customer service personnel, volunteer Ride Guides and others have been out at key locations to help riders navigate the changes. We appreciate our riders’ patience and understanding as crews spend the next few days completing the project.

A Better Red

Since 2001, the MAX Red Line has provided a convenient, cost effective way for riders to go to and from Portland International Airport, jobs and other destinations. As our region grows, it’s important for transit to grow with it to connect more people to the places that matter to them. With A Better Red, not only will the Red Line be extended 10 stations west into Hillsboro, additional improvements around the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport will improve train traffic by alleviating bottlenecks that impact the entire rail system.

“The City is ready to welcome the Red Line into the heart of Hillsboro,” said Don Odermott, Transportation’s System Director for the City of Hillsboro. “With the future terminus at Hillsboro Airport/Fair Complex Station, this extension provides the service and frequency for our community that we envisioned when we celebrated its grand opening in 1998.”

Crews have been working on the project since breaking ground in September 2021:

• Constructing two new light rail bridges, including the installation of steel girders to a bridge over I-84 in September and concrete girders to the second bridge over existing MAX tracks in October.
• Moving a 200-foot section of special trackway to make room for the bridges.
• Constructing retaining walls that will support tracks connecting the bridges.
• Working along the trackway at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport to build a new walkway for MAX operators.
• Constructing a new breakroom at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport for operators.
• Relocating utilities near Portland International Airport to make room for a second track.

We are very appreciative of our riders and thank them for their understanding and support as we work to make A Better Red. For more on the project, visit trimet/org/bettered.

With colder weather around the corner, TriMet encourages riders to start getting ready now

When that first nip of morning air snaps at your skin, making your arm hairs rise to attention, you know what’s coming—winter! For TriMet, it’s a sign to get ready. We are, and we hope you are too! We’ve been arranging our gear and reviewing our plans to help keep buses and trains moving in the event of snow or ice storms in the coming months.

Winter can be unpredictable, which is why it’s important to consider early how a storm might impact your travel. To help guide you on your trips on TriMet, we suggest visiting our winter weather webpage, trimet.org/winterweather, which features detailed tips and information for when wintry conditions arrive.

Through coordination with our regional transportation partners, and the preparatory work of our employees, TriMet is primed for the potential of snow and ice. But if conditions are too icy and slick, or if it’s simply too cold for you to wait outside safely, please consider postponing your trip if you can.

Safety takes the driver’s seat

During winter storms, TriMet emphasizes safety over schedules. Snow, high winds and especially ice can impact travel and may result in delays or detours for trains and buses.

“The weather can vary throughout the region, so we encourage riders to check weather reports, monitor conditions in your area and refer to TriMet’s website before heading out this winter,” TriMet’s Executive Director of Transportation Inessa Vitko said. “Not only are our operators and supervisors prepared, but our facilities, maintenance and operations teams are also ready to step up to keep everyone moving as best we can this winter.”

Snow will mean slower, more cautious trips for buses. They will follow their normal routes as long as the streets are safe for travel. We work with city and state road crews to help make sure bus routes get salted or plowed first, and we’ll chain buses as necessary, especially on hilly routes. Once chained, all buses are limited to 25 mph.

Ice can impact the MAX system, especially if it builds up on overhead wires faster than we can remove it. It is possible your train may be delayed and you may have to make an extra transfer due to ice. In some situations, we may have to use shuttle buses to transport riders between stations.

Equipment on standby

Every autumn, TriMet takes stock of our winter equipment. This year, we have more of it than ever—more drop-down chains for buses and de-icer for our facilities—set aside for when the first snowflake falls.

• We have five sets of chains designated for every bus.

• Nearly all of our buses, about 95%, have drop-down chains that operators can deploy with a press of a button.

• We have 25 light rail vehicles equipped with ice cutters to try to prevent ice from building up on our overhead wires.

• To help prevent slips and falls, we have more than 82,000 pounds of de-icer on hand for our crews to spread on platforms, transit centers and our operating facilities.

• And we have switch heaters and additional equipment to try to keep trains running.

Winter riding tips

As we’ve seen over the past few winters, cold snaps can happen anytime in the season, covering roads with snow and ice and slowing all travel, including transit. To help you stay safe and comfortable, here are TriMet’s tips for riding during wintry weather.

• Make sure to dress warmly, in bright-colored or reflective clothing if you have it. Bring a small light, or use the flashlight on your phone, to help make yourself more visible.

• Stand away from the curb, especially as your bus is approaching.

• Watch your step on stairs and platforms and, if you can, wear shoes with good traction.

• Be prepared for detours and delays—especially if there’s substantial snow in the forecast.

• Buses may not always be able to pull all the way over to the curb in snow, so please be careful when stepping off the curb toward your bus. Accommodations will be made to assist riders with mobility devices.

• Remember that in severe weather conditions buses and trains may get so far off schedule that our TransitTracker™ won’t be able to accurately predict arrival times. Instead, it will use “miles away” to give you a sense of where your bus or train is.

• You can also monitor bus and train locations in real time at trimet.org.  

If delays or disruptions happen, we will announce them as quickly as our staff can. You can also sign up to get email or SMS updates about snow/ice service now to stay one step ahead.

The Blue Line will be disrupted from Nov. 12-19 for construction near Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station

On the heels of a weekend disruption and construction along the MAX Red Line in Northeast Portland, TriMet is planning for another MAX shutdown less than three weeks from now, as part of our continuing A Better Red project. The upcoming disruption will come at the other end of the improvement project—in Hillsboro.  

The MAX Blue Line, from Orenco/NW 231st Ave Station to the end of the line in Hillsboro, will be disrupted from Saturday, Nov. 12, through Saturday, Nov. 19. This will allow crews to work in the track at the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station. The eight days of work are part of TriMet’s ongoing construction of A Better Red, our MAX Red Line extension and reliability project.

Under construction since September 2021, A Better Red will improve reliability and help trains move better throughout the system. With work scheduled to complete in 2024, the project will extend the Red Line 10 stations west, from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, adding capacity on board in a growing job center of Washington County. It’s also adding a second track to sections near Portland International Airport and the Gateway Transit Center to alleviate train traffic choke points.

Navigating the disruption: Nov. 12-19

Riders in Hillsboro will want to plan for at least an extra 30 minutes for their MAX Blue Line trips during the disruption. TriMet will run shuttle buses to serve stations between Orenco/NW 231^st Ave Station and Hatfield Government Center. Blue Line trains elsewhere in the system will be running normally on their regular schedules, and no other MAX lines will be affected.

Shuttle buses will depart about every 15 minutes and will serve some extra stops—a total of 11—along the way to ensure riders get to where they’re going. Signs will be posted and additional TriMet staff will be on hand at select stations to help riders make  connections. To plan ahead, go to trimet.org and use our trip-planning tools and sign up for alerts.

Riders can reach TriMet’s Customer Service team by calling or texting 503-238-RIDE (7433) daily between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., or send us a direct message or follow us on Twitter and send a direct message to @trimethelp.

Improving the MAX system

During the disruption, crews will replace parts of the track turn-outs—the areas where trains can cross from one track to another—and also replace timber ties near the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station, the future terminus for the MAX Red Line. They will also install new powered switch machines and signals equipment as well as build an operator walkway and crossing.

The purpose of the work is to prepare the track and nearby station for future MAX Red Line service. While MAX Blue and Red line trains both currently serve a large swath of the same trackway between Gateway Transit Center and Beaverton Transit Center, upgrades need to be made to some sections that will serve Red Line trains in the future to accommodate the increased MAX traffic. Additionally, a new 680-square-foot break facility is under construction at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station. It will give Red Line operators a space to relax at the new end of the line after A Better Red completes construction in 2024.

A Better Red

When the MAX Red Line opened in 2001, it was the first train-to-plane connection on the West Coast and quickly became an eminent travel option for riders across the region. Not only did it become a cost-effective and convenient solution for reaching PDX, it added more capacity for trips between Beaverton and Gateway Transit Center.

When it’s completed, A Better Red will add to the benefits that riders have appreciated for the past 21 years. The MAX Red Line will serve additional stations west into Hillsboro, giving more people a one-seat ride to PDX. It will also bring important track improvements between the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport that will improve reliability on the Red Line while keeping trains running on time throughout the entire light rail system. 

While most of the construction has been able to take place without the need to disrupt service, there have been, and will continue to be, times when disruptions are necessary to safely do the work. Since breaking ground on A Better Red a year ago, TriMet has made significant progress and reached milestones along the way, including:

• Constructing new light rail bridges, including the installation of steel girders to one of them in September and concrete girders to the second in October.
• Moving a 200-foot section of special trackway to make room for the bridges.
• Constructing retaining walls that will support connecting tracks to the bridges.
• Working along the trackway at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport to build a new walkway for MAX operators.
• Relocating utilities near Portland International Airport to make room for a second track.

We are very appreciative of our riders and thank them for their patience and understanding as we work to make A Better Red. For more on the project, visit trimet/org/bettered.

From Oct. 22-23, shuttle buses will serve stations between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport as crews install bridge girders at Gateway Green Park

Work on TriMet’s multi-year A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project continues and will require another MAX Red Line disruption this month. Construction planned north of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center will shut down the Red Line Saturday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 23. Shuttle buses will serve stations between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport.

MAX Red Line trains will not be running anywhere on the system during the disruption. Riders west of the Gateway Transit Center will want to use MAX Blue Line trains, which will be running more frequently during the busiest hours to replace Red Line service. You can also use MAX Green Line trains to reach Gateway. But if you are heading to PDX, remember to exit the train at Gateway and look for the shuttle bus stop, marked by a large red sign, where buses will be arriving about every 15 minutes.

For information on the disruption, go to trimet.org/improvements.

Plan ahead with TriMet

TriMet staff and our Ride Guides will be at select stations during the Oct. 22-23 disruption, helping riders catch their connections and answering questions. During the project, riders should plan an extra 30 minutes for their trips and go to trimet.org ahead of time. Our trip-planning tools will set you on the best path. They calculate the fastest possible trip, whether that means using shuttle buses that replace MAX Red Line service or taking an alternate bus route. We encourage riders to sign up for service alerts on our website to receive messages about disruptions delivered directly via text and email.

You can reach TriMet’s Customer Service team by calling or texting 503-238-RIDE (7433) daily between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You can also send us a direct message by texting the number or follow us on Twitter and send a direct message to @trimethelp.

Bridges Take Shape

Crews will use the weekend disruption to erect massive concrete girders for a new light rail bridge at Gateway Green Park, about a quarter mile north of the transit center. The bridge will span the existing MAX Red Line tracks that lead to and from PDX.

Girders are like the bones of a bridge, supporting the deck that lays on top and transferring the load down to the foundation. Unlike the steel girders that were recently installed on the other light rail bridge that’s under construction north of the Gateway Transit Center, these are made of precast concrete. While they’re heavier than the girders we’ve typically used, weighing about 70,000 pounds each, they’re better suited for the project due to their reduced height.

In addition to the disruption of MAX Red Line service, there will be intermittent closures of the I-205 Multi-Use Path that runs adjacent to our tracks and Gateway Green Park.

Once all the girders are in place, the structures will begin looking a lot more like the bridges they’ll eventually become. Once completed, one will extend over I-84, the Exit 7 Northeast Halsey Street/99th Avenue off-ramp and Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The other will be parallel to I-205 in Gateway Green and span the existing MAX Red Line tracks. Together, they will help move Red Line trains more efficiently through the Gateway area.

A Better Red

TriMet’s A Better Red project will extend the MAX Red Line west 10 stations to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, further cementing the Red Line’s status as the premiere “train-to-plane” connection on the West Coast. The improvements will also include a second set of tracks in the Gateway area—along with the two new MAX bridges—and near Portland International Airport.

The additional tracks will alleviate bottlenecks near the Gateway Transit Center where three MAX lines meet. These bottlenecks can create delays, which have a cascading impact throughout the rest of the system. The new bridges and tracks will help trains move more efficiently, not just on the MAX Red Line but throughout the light rail system, improving on-time reliability for MAX trains.

Since A Better Red kicked off a year ago, crews have been working near Gateway, along the MAX system in Washington County and near PDX. Some of the work has included:

• Constructing new light rail bridges, including the installation of steel girders to one of them in September.
• Moving a 200-foot section of special trackway to make room for the bridges.
• Constructing retaining walls that will support connecting tracks to the bridges.
• Working along the trackway at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport to build a new walkway for MAX operators.
• Boring for new pipes along Air Cargo Road near Portland International Airport.

We thank our riders and other travelers for their patience and understanding as we continue to reach milestones and make progress on A Better Red. When it opens in 2024, riders will have more reliable trips throughout the entire system. To learn more, go to trimet.org/bettered.

From Sept. 23-26, construction will close I-84 near the I-205 interchange, while a section of MAX Blue Line between Gateway Transit Center and E 122nd Ave will be disrupted from Sept. 24-25

TriMet’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate and improve the MAX system will continue in September and require closures of I-84 and a small section of the MAX Blue Line.

• From 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, a 1.5-mile stretch of I-84 will be closed in both directions near the I-205 interchange.
• From the start of service on Saturday, Sept. 24, through the end of service Sunday, Sept. 25, the Blue Line will be disrupted between Gateway Transit Center and E 122nd Ave MAX Station.

The closure of I-84 is necessary so crews can continue building a new light rail bridge over the freeway. For the Blue Line disruption, we will use shuttle buses to take riders between the Gateway Transit Center and E 122nd Ave MAX Station. During the project, MAX schedules will be adjusted, with trains on all lines running every 20 minutes during most of the day. Shuttle buses during the weekend disruption will match Blue Line service and depart about every 20 minutes.

Riders will want to plan an extra 30 minutes for their trips. We thank both our riders and motorists for their patience as we work on these important projects. Over the long run, they will help improve MAX reliability, ease traffic congestion and maintain a healthier environment.

I-84 closure planned – Sept. 23-26

I-84 will be closed in both directions near the I-205 interchange from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26. The Northeast 102nd Avenue on-ramp to I-84 west and the I-84 east Exit 7 Halsey/99nd Ave off ramp will also be closed.

As TriMet’s A Better Red project continues to make progress in the Gateway area, crews will be setting girders for a new MAX bridge near the junction of I-84 and I-205 during the weekend closure.

Drivers should plan an alternate route or take public transit during the closure as I-205 will likely see more congestion than usual. You can visit ODOT’s TripCheck.com for real- time traffic information.

While the closure of I-84 will not affect our transit service, some trips may take longer due to other construction taking place on the Blue Line. MAX Green Line may be a good alternative for some people wanting to avoid traffic. It runs parallel to I-205 from Clackamas Town Center to Gateway Transit Center before heading to Downtown Portland next to I-84. Buses will also be running regular service while construction takes place.

MAX Blue Line disruption – Sept. 24-25

During the disruption, crews will revitalize track and a rail crossing at Northeast 102nd Avenue and East Burnside Street. With shuttle buses serving MAX stations between Gateway Transit Center and E 122nd Ave MAX Station, TriMet will have extra staff out at select stations to help riders make their connections.

While construction will last from Sept. 23-26, service will only be disrupted during the weekend—Sept. 24-25. Throughout the duration of the project, traffic controls will be in place near Northeast 102nd Avenue and East Burnside Street to help auto drivers get around the worksite safely.

Train schedules throughout the system will be adjusted during the four-day project. Riders will want to plan before you go. You can check the location of all TriMet vehicles throughout the system in real time by going to trimet.org.

Making Transit Better

Improving the MAX system is one of the many ways we work to make transit better. TrIMet’s improvements not only keep trains running reliably, they also help us expand and upgrade service. With the support of regional partners, our riders and the community at large, we aim help more people reach work, school, events and other destinations.

Among our largest undertakings in years, TriMet’s A Better Red MAX project has been under construction since September 2021. This multi-year project, set to complete in fall 2024, will extend the Red Line west to serve 10 more stations in Beaverton and Hillsboro. The project also improves schedule reliability for the entire MAX system by adding a second track near both Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, new bridges are being constructed for this second track, spanning I-84, the I-205 multi-use path and existing tracks.

Construction activities currently in progress include:

• Building a new walkway and break facility for MAX operators at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station
• Constructing a new track crossing, Red Line station platform, multi-use path and two new bridges just north of the Gateway Transit Center
• Multi-phase construction along Air Cargo Road, near Portland International Airport, to reposition the roadway

To find out more about A Better Red, go to trimet.org/bettered. For more on how we’re making transit better, check out trimet.org/bettertransit.

One of 150 transit agencies to receive a federal grant, TriMet will use the funds to upgrade the Beaverton Transit Center

TriMet has been awarded a $5.6 million federal grant to reshape bus layover areas and upgrade operator break facilities at Beaverton Transit Center. It comes from $1.66 billion in grants awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to 150 transit agencies across the country, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021.

Beaverton Transit Center dates back to the mid-’80s and is due for an upgrade. The improvements will update the transit center’s facilities and layout. The emphasis will be on operator and rider comfort and improving access to a bustling transit hub in an area that’s changed considerably since it opened in the late 1980s. Updates to the transit center will also aid bus lines serving major job centers in Washington County.

Changes coming

Construction is expected to begin in early spring of 2025 and wrap up about a year later. While the FTA’s grant will pay for the bulk of the $6.9 million project, the remainder of TriMet’s funding will come from Statewide Transportation Improvement Funds (STIF).

Renovations to the Beaverton Transit Center will help expand it to better support bus operations and planned service upgrades for the Portland region. That will include space to accommodate new electric buses in the future.

TriMet continues to expand its fleet of electric buses. In April, TriMet’s Board of Directors approved the first bulk order purchase of 24 zero-emissions buses. That represented our single largest investment in electric bus technology to date and a significant step toward transitioning to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040.

Climate solutions

The FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program makes funding available to help transit agencies move toward a modern, green future. It helps agencies replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities, including technological changes or innovations to modify low- or no-emission vehicles or facilities.

Public transit plays an important role in helping our climate. Every time you board a bus or MAX train, you’re taking a step that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. TriMet’s investments in low- and zero-emissions technology, as well as alternative fuel and energy sources, help our region address climate change and create a healthier future for everyone. Learn more about TriMet’s Climate Action Plan.

Next-generation transit signal priority technology is being installed to help TriMet FX buses move through intersections faster

If you ever wanted to zip down a road with a string of green lights clearing your way, then TriMet’s Division Transit Project will be a wish fulfilled. Faster, smarter and more reliable bus service is coming Sept. 18 with the culmination of the Division Transit Project and the launch of TriMet FX® — or Frequent Express — service along Southeast Division Street.  One reason for that will be a first for our region:  the “next generation” of what’s known as transit signal priority.

Transit signal priority is a way of phasing or timing traffic signals so buses jump to the head of the line and get more green lights. Working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Gresham, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and LYT, a company specializing in next-generation transit signal priority technology, TriMet is having it installed at 58 of Division Street’s signalized intersections. These stretch along FX’s 15-mile route between Downtown Portland and Gresham.

You’ve probably experienced the benefits of transit signal priority in the past, but a version that’s relied on infrared emitters inside buses and receivers on top of traffic lights. These emitters and receivers need to be near each other to work. But the newest version does something different using cellular technology: it collects information about the location and speed of a bus and sends it to a cloud server, which allows the system to adapt the phasing of traffic signals to give an edge to bus riders.

This means quicker trips and even easier access to buses. That’s because the technology also provides priority to pedestrian signals to help people reach transit stops ahead of the buses.

The future of transit is FX

Providing green-light priority to buses is just one of the efficiency improvements coming to the new FX2-Division line. Most visibly, it will bring a new type of high-capacity bus service to the region. With its longer, 60-foot green buses, FX will allow more people to ride—60% more per bus—at frequencies of 12 minutes or less throughout most of the day.

This new type of service, along a busy transit corridor, means other changes are coming to make the riding experience even more efficient and reliable.

• Riders will be able to board and pay through three different doors, an advantage of the FX bus’s longer, articulated design.
• Cyclists will be able to bring their bikes on board through the rear door, where they can more quickly secure them in an interior rack.
• To help minimize travel times, 42 new bus stations have been built between Gresham’s Cleveland Park & Ride and Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, where rider demand is greatest.
• The new stations include features like seating, lighting, rain and wind protection and TransitTracker™ displays.

Less waiting, faster buses

FX will cut travel times up to 20% between Downtown Portland and Gresham.

While giving special treatment to buses at signalized intersections has been done for years using the infrared line-of-sight system, it’s never been able to collect transit vehicle and intersection information that allows it to adapt as it can now. That’s made possible now through advances in machine learning—a subset of artificial intelligence.

With the help of LYT, sophisticated technology is drastically improving traffic signal priority. Rather than relying on line-of-sight emitters and receivers that communicate between buses and traffic signals, the new technology uses a device on the bus to relay a constant stream of information to the system’s network, most important being a bus’s speed and estimated time of arrival. That information is then passed onto traffic signal cabinets at intersections, which will make a request to grant the bus a green light before it arrives.

That stream of information will also improve how TriMet schedules buses, which can help prevent “bus bunching”—where two or more buses arrive back-to-back, or within just a few minutes of each other.

“As we fine tune the system, we’re expecting there will be a feedback loop with TriMet’s scheduling department,” TriMet’s Director of Intelligent Transportation Systems A.J. O’Connor said. “Schedules will become more consistent, reliable and tighter.”

Partnerships drive innovation

TriMet appreciates the work of our partners to turn the bold vision of the Division Transit Project into a reality. LYT’s expertise in next-generation transit signal priority helps to create a smarter, more adaptable transit system.

The cities of Portland and Gresham, as well as ODOT, have been instrumental in their support, recognizing the value of faster and more convenient transit service. TriMet was able to pursue a next-generation transit signal priority system thanks to a grant from the Federal Highway Administration through ODOT.

And Raimore Construction, the Division Transit Project’s prime contractor, along with our various subcontractors, have worked through the challenges presented by COVID-19 to keep the project on schedule. Raimore’s company won the largest contract ever to be awarded to a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Oregon. That certification helps bring opportunities to businesses that are owned by people who’ve experienced social and economic hardship.

Speed up your career

TriMet is hiring bus operators, including those who will have an opportunity to drive the new FX buses. There are other innovative vehicles for you to get behind the wheel of as well, including new electric buses and our fleet of 700 renewable-diesel-powered buses.

New operators earn $25.24 an hour to start and are eligible for a $7,500 bonus. Other benefits include health, dental and vision plans at low to no cost, a 401(a) retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution and up to $25,000 in life insurance for full-time operators, provided by TriMet.

If operating a MAX sounds exciting, we just made it faster to get behind the controls. You can be part of the future—and build a great future for yourself—at TriMet, which has been innovating public transportation in the region for more than 50 years. Visit trimet.org/drive to learn more and apply.

Red Line will be disrupted July 30-31 to allow for construction to take place in the tracks north of Gateway Transit Center

Construction on TriMet’s A Better Red project will result in no MAX Red Line service for one weekend in July, which will allow crews to continue working on a new light rail bridge just north of the Gateway Transit Center. Red Line trains will not be running on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31. Riders will be able to use shuttle buses for trips from the Gateway Transit Center to Portland International Airport.

Roughly 10 months after our A Better Red project broke ground, it’s making visible progress near the Gateway Transit Center and Gateway Green Park. With the bridge’s supports, known as piers, in place, crews can now place the “pier cap” over our existing track. Pier caps transfer pressure from the bridge’s supports, making them sturdier and more resilient. The work is an important step in constructing a bridge that will carry a second MAX track, intended to relieve bottlenecks as Red Line trains come into Gateway.

Getting around the construction

We are very appreciative of our riders’ understanding during projects like this. It helps make it possible for us to complete work that improves reliability across the MAX system.

For riders traveling from the Gateway Transit Center to PDX, shuttle buses will be running about every 15 minutes. Signs will be posted directing riders to the shuttle bus stops. During the busiest times, TriMet staff will be present to help riders get around the disruption.

MAX Blue and Green line trains will be running normally and can take riders to destinations farther east or west. But riders who are accustomed to riding the Red Line or who were planning to take it directly to the airport during the weekend disruption will need to take either a Blue or Green line train. At Gateway, riders will then transfer to a shuttle bus for the final leg of their trip. Riders can also connect with bus lines 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 87 at Gateway.

While we’re working to keep the impacts on riders to a minimum, we do suggest you plan at least an extra 30 minutes for your trips during the disruption. We encourage you to plan ahead and to stay informed with service alerts delivered directly to your phone via email or text.

All you need to do is go to trimet.org/alerts, click Service Alerts and then pick the line(s) you’d like to receive alerts about. You can find more details about the project and service information for the disruption at trimet.org/alerts/maxredline.

A Better Red

TriMet’s A Better Red project will extend the MAX Red Line west to the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station, serving 10 extra stations that only Blue Line trains currently serve. Also among the improvements will be the addition of a second set of tracks in the Gateway area and near Portland International Airport.

Once completed in 2024, the A Better Red project will not only extend Red Line service west, creating direct “train-to-plane” trips for more riders and adding to our overall capacity, the addition of a second track will improve reliability across the MAX system. With three lines—Blue, Green and Red— funneling into Gateway, trains sometimes have to wait for others to clear. The extra tracks will move trains around each other and keep them on time throughout the system.

Making transit better

Ensuring that our system works for everyone, runs smoothly and improves people’s lives is at the heart of our efforts to make transit better. Projects that relieve congestion, diminish pollution and keep people moving help everyone and make sure the transportation system works for those who rely on it. A Better Red will help bring better and more reliable transit to our community. In April, we moved a section of special track just north of Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. Most of the construction is taking place while service runs normally, with crews working to build the infrastructure that our riders will enjoy in the future.

TriMet is introducing a faster path for new hires, allowing you to qualify for MAX training right after bus operator training

A new fast-track for operating MAX trains can help move your career full speed ahead. TriMet has made it quicker than ever to join the team and become a MAX operator. Newly hired bus operator candidates not only get a $7,500 hiring bonus and earn a starting wage of $25.24 an hour, they also will immediately qualify for MAX training once they complete bus operator training. Previously, operators had to wait six months before applying to make the switch to the light rail system.

The move, made alongside Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757, is effective for operators hired between June 11, 2022, through June 2023. The quicker pipeline for new MAX operators comes as TriMet faces a severe operator shortage, which has led to canceled buses and trains almost daily. It is also forcing us to reduce service levels temporarily for buses starting Sept. 18, 2022. No cuts to MAX service are planned in order to preserve service as best we can for communities of concern. That’s why we are accelerating the path for new hires, allowing them to move to MAX more quickly.

We apologize to our riders for any delays they’ve encountered stemming from the operator shortage. We’re pulling out all the stops to hire and train more operators in the hopes of adding service levels back in 2023.

MAX opportunities

An operator’s transition from bus to rail may not be immediate, but it will be much faster than before. MAX classes begin about every four weeks and are limited to nine students to help ensure there’s individualized, hands-on instruction. In addition to the practical instruction—learning the technical ins and outs and actually operating a train—students receive further instruction in the classroom and using our virtual reality program, which replicates troubleshooting scenarios operators may encounter. During their 11 weeks of training, operators receive their full salary as they learn the nuances of something new and exciting.

MAX training is all about helping operators succeed! Demonstrating you can operate a train safely and within the bounds of federally mandated regulations is essential before graduating from the program. This high skills job comes with great rewards.

“The training was fantastic. If you make it through training, and you’re trusted to get on the rails, that means TriMet really knows you can do your job,” Rail Operator Jeff Flanagan said. “The most enjoyable part of the job would be knowing that you’re helping people get to and from work–and just to be able to operate a train. I think that’s a pretty cool opportunity, where you’re transporting anywhere from 40 to 60 to 100 people sometimes.”

If an operator does not pass the MAX training program, or simply decides it’s not for them, their job in bus transportation will still be waiting for them. From there, many opportunities for advancement and promotion exist, such as becoming a field supervisor, station agent, customer safety supervisor, dispatcher and more!

At the controls of cutting edge

New MAX operators will be on the cutting edge with the latest light rail technology. Starting later this year, the first of TriMet’s newest MAX trains—what we call our Type 6—will start arriving at our facilities. Manufactured by Siemens Mobility, these new models will replace our oldest trains—the ones with stairs at the doors—that have been carrying riders since 1986.

Those joining the ranks of TriMet’s MAX operators will be among the first to get behind the controls of these brand new vehicles and will play an important part in the agency’s future.

Join the team!

Looking for a change? Interested in new challenges? Eager to receive paid training that will set you up for success? New hires receive a $7,500 hiring bonus and starting salary of $25.24 an hour, whether you stay in bus or move to MAX. Operator jobs also come with stability, security and comprehensive benefits. These include insurance, a retirement account with an 8% agency base pay contribution, paid vacation and up to 40 hours of sick leave in the first year (with paid time off increasing over time) in addition to much more. More than even that, there are ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Visit trimet.org/careers to learn about all of the employment opportunities at TriMet.