New Working and Wage Agreement, effective Dec. 1, 2024, brings new benefits for employees represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757
One of the top places to work in Oregon just got even better!
Effective this week, TriMet’s union employees earned a 4% raise. That wage increase is part of a new Working and Wage Agreement TriMet negotiated with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757, which took effect Dec. 1. The contract runs through late 2028. It includes annual increases in pay, with an overall 13.64% increase over the four-year contract.
The contract also has new and expanded benefits for union employees, including:
A tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year, intended to support employees who are taking higher and continuing education courses.
A child care subsidy of up to $150 per month, helping to allay the increased cost of child care. (Effective Jan. 1, 2025)
An increase in TriMet’s employer contribution to each employee’s 401(a) retirement plan, now at 9% and increasing to 10% in 2028.
Those who join the TriMet team in the months ahead will enjoy the higher pay and expanded benefits as well! We’re currently hiring bus and rail operators, mechanics, technicians, and maintainers, among other key positions. Visit trimet.org/careers to learn more. Joining TriMet now will help us continue expanding and improving our transit service as we keep the region moving.
Forbes Magazine ranks TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon and the top Oregon-based employer. Competitive pay, excellent benefits and opportunities for growth are just a few of the reasons why.
What’s the deal?
The Working and Wage Agreement covers more than 2,800 union employees at TriMet.
To provide greater stability for everyone involved, TriMet and ATU leadership this year negotiated a four-year contract, instead of the usual three-year deal.
In addition to upping pay, the new contract increases longevity pay for most employees with eight or more years of service, as well as hourly wages for certain overnight maintenance shifts.
We’re also adding new utility cleaner positions. Together with improvements in how we schedule cleaning crews, this furthers our mission to create a world-class rider experience on TriMet.
Join our team!
Whether you’re looking to start a long-term career, trying to line up a part-time job or something in between, TriMet has great opportunities for people with a wide range of abilities and qualifications.
TriMet’s bus and rail operators skillfully serve riders, getting them where they need to go safely and efficiently every day.
Our maintenance workers keep our fleet of buses and trains on the move and our facilities clean and welcoming for riders.
Our customer service representatives connect with riders and help them to have a good experience using our system.
Many positions come with a $7,500 hiring bonus! We also offer learning and leadership courses, apprenticeships and mentoring opportunities, and more to help our employees grow, succeed and thrive at TriMet. Certain jobs are only open to internal applicants — part of our efforts to provide a pathway to advancement for TriMet employees who want to progress in their career.
Check out a full listing of job opportunities at trimet.org/careers. You can also sign up to receive new job postings and event notices by email.
Line 81 will run on all days, connecting communities and serving commuters
TriMet’s latest bus service improvements are coming to East Multnomah County on Sunday, Dec. 1.
We’re adding more buses on Line 81-Kane/257th, including on weekends. We’re also making a small route adjustment to serve more people in Gresham.
The improved Line 81 will now provide weekend service to the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP), a major jobs center that is home to Amazon and FedEx facilities. It will continue to connect with the MAX Blue Line, FX2-Division and other lines at the Gresham Central Transit Center, so commuters can get to and from their jobs every day.
You can find more information at trimet.org/servicechange. Plan your trip now at trimet.org — just select a date on or after Dec. 1, and see the best travel options for you.
The Line 81 upgrade is the latest to come from our Forward Together service concept. Through Forward Together, we’re making improvements across our entire bus network to better serve riders, connecting them with jobs, schools, services and opportunities, and making our buses work better for people, especially those who rely on transit to get where they need to go.
What’s changing?
Starting in December, you’ll see Line 81 buses running on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as weekdays.
We’re also adjusting the route of Line 81. Instead of running along Northeast Division Street between Kane Drive and the Gresham Central Transit Center, the improved line will run along Southeast Powell Boulevard, similar to the route that Line 80 currently takes.
With more buses running on Line 81, including weekend service, we are discontinuing Line 80. We’re making this change because of low ridership on Line 80, as well as overlap with Line 81 for much of its route — making Line 81 the best option for most riders. Service to Glenn Otto Park will be discontinued due to low ridership.
We’re adjusting schedules on a few additional bus lines elsewhere in our service area to improve connections for riders and keep buses running on time. They include:
These schedule adjustments will make our bus system more reliable and help riders get around, especially those whose trip includes two or more lines. Visit trimet.org/servicechange for more details.
Forward Together
The improvements we are making to our bus service are included in our Forward Together revised service concept.
We began developing the Forward Together concept in 2022, with riders and the community. Our goal is to improve connections and service for people throughout our region, and particularly for those with low or limited incomes. We know many people depend on TriMet for transportation to job sites, classes, health care appointments and more. To make a better bus system for them, we are adding service, adjusting schedules and shifting resources where they’re most needed.
As we prepare to roll out additional Forward Together improvements in the years to come, we will continue to gather community feedback.
Shana Peck says it ‘makes my day to make people happy,’ getting riders to their destination on MAX
***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***
TriMet is hiring bus and MAX operators!
These positions come with a $7,500 hiring bonus! TriMet is also giving operators a raise and expanding benefits under our new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757. The union represents most of our employees, including all operators. Under the new contract, the hourly wage for operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years.
TriMet recently honored outstanding employees with our Employee Choice Awards. Our 2024 Rail Operator of the Year, Shana Peck, was excited to be recognized even though she’s only been with TriMet for a little over two years.
For Shana, joining TriMet was a great way to advance her career and serve her community. She says others should consider making the same leap.
Beginning a ‘real career’ with TriMet
Shana Peck officially joined TriMet in 2022. She had been working closely with the organization for nearly a decade, including six years as a supervisor for LIFT, TriMet’s paratransit service. LIFT operators and supervisors are contractors, but TriMet oversees operations.
“I just decided TriMet’s where I wanted to begin my real career,” Shana says.
Her dream was to run MAX trains. At the time Shana joined TriMet, only employees who had driven a TriMet bus were eligible to apply for MAX operator jobs. With her previous experience driving for LIFT, Shana took the wheel for TriMet before soon moving to MAX.
This year, TriMet has a new policy. We’re now accepting MAX operator applicants from outside TriMet. Applicants should have at least one year of experience in the transportation industry, one year of customer service experience and three years of driving experience. Find details at trimet.org/maxoperator.
“I think it’s fun operating the trains,” Shana says. “And I’m excited to see where I grow in my career here.”
Opportunities and possibilities
TriMet invests in our employees, helping them succeed, excel and thrive.
“There’s lots of room for growth,” Shana says, speaking from personal experience.
TriMet offers learning and development courses for employees, as well as financial support for employees who enroll in higher and continuing education courses outside of TriMet. The new Working and Wage Agreement increases that support, also offering a child care subsidy and more expanded benefits.
“You should apply here!” Shana says. Joining TriMet is a “great opportunity,” she adds, with family-wage jobs and excellent benefits. Having moved from bus to MAX, it makes Shana feel good to know TriMet supports employees in reaching their goals. TriMet often promotes from within the organization, so employees with leadership skills can further advance in their careers.
Applying with TriMet
TriMet has big plans to expand and improve service throughout our 533-square-mile service district, which covers parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. In August, we rolled out one of the biggest service updates in our 55-year history. We want to build on that momentum!
Right now, though, we need more operators to provide the level of service we envision. That includes more Frequent Service bus lines, better connections between neighborhoods and job centers, and extended service to growing communities in places like Beaverton, Happy Valley and Hillsboro.
TriMet was recently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the top Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as Oregon’s top “Transportation and Logistics” employer. Forbes’ ranking is based on a survey of employees in each state.
Honoring active and former military members with our Honored Citizen reduced fare
TriMet salutes our veterans this Veterans Day and reminds all past and present members of the armed forces that they qualify to ride TriMet with our Honored Citizen reduced fare. With half-price daily fare and unlimited rides for just $28 a month, it’s a small but lasting salute to their courage and sacrifice.
Further honoring those who have served our country, TriMet rolled out a special bus design in today’s annual Portland Veterans Day Parade, with TriMet employees who have served proudly joining as well. The bus design was created by TriMet Graphic Designer and Navy veteran Preston Covey.
Honoring our armed forces and veterans
One year ago, TriMet granted eligibility for our Honored Citizen reduced fare to active-duty, reservists and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. With that, TriMet became the first large transit agency in the United States to offer reduced fare to both active-duty military and veterans. This policy recognizes the tremendous contributions and sacrifices made by those who serve our country in uniform.
Among other groups that qualify for TriMet’s reduced fare:
Adults age 65 and older.
People with disabilities.
People on Medicare.
People on Oregon Health Plan, SNAP or TANF.
People who qualify based on income.
Frequent riders can save up to 72% with Honored Citizen fare!
While the number of signups continues to grow, there are still tens of thousands of people living in our service area who are eligible — but may not realize they qualify — for reduced fare on TriMet.
We encourage more people who qualify to apply for Honored Citizen fare! This fare program is part of our commitment to equity, breaking down barriers to ridership and creating a welcoming, accessible transit system. Learn more at trimet.org/equity.
How it works
Visit trimet.org/reduced to find out if you’re eligible for reduced fare on TriMet. We have a simple online application process. In-person applicants are also accepted at various locations.
If you qualify for Honored Citizen reduced fare, we’ll issue you a personalized Hop Fastpass® card with your photo on it. Tap this fare card at the green Hop card reader whenever you ride. You can load money onto your card with several easy options — including online and on the Hop app, as well as in person at retail outlets that partner with TriMet or at the TriMet Customer Support Center in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Visit myhopcard.com/getacard to find the location nearest you!
Holders of an Honored Citizen fare card pay half the regular cost of an Adult 2½ Hour Fare or Day Pass. They also pay no more than $28 per calendar month on fare, earning a Month Pass after paying for the equivalent of 10 Honored Citizen Day Passes.
Because Honored Citizen fare is integrated with Hop Fastpass®, users can also ride C-TRAN and Portland Streetcar with their Honored Citizen fare card.
Increased bonus for many union maintenance positions and training opportunities aims to bolster TriMet’s ability to provide reliable transit service
***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***
At TriMet, we are dedicated to providing safe and reliable transit service. The backbone to that is our amazing Maintenance team. To increase its ranks, we are increasing our hiring bonus for select maintenance positions to $7,500, up from $2,500. Eligible maintenance jobs include mechanic, technician and maintainer positions, along with apprentices and trainees for those positions.
The increased hiring bonus comes as pay increases go into effect for all TriMet union positions Dec. 1, 2024, as part of our new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757. In addition to medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost, the new four-year contract brings new benefits and opportunities:
Increased employer contribution to union employees’ 401(a) retirement plans.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250
Child care subsidy of up to $150 per month
TriMet also supports employees by offering pathways for career advancement. In-person and virtual learning classes are offered throughout the year, free of charge, to all employees. Mentoring opportunities are available for many employees. Certain jobs, like transportation supervisor, are 100% filled through internal promotions.
Building our workforce to keep region moving
Earning a $7,500 bonus is a fantastic way to start a career at TriMet. We continue to offer it to both bus and MAX operators. As we bring more operators on board, we must increase our staffing at maintenance positions that support bus, MAX, WES and Portland Streetcar operations too.
TriMet is committed to providing a transit system that meets the needs of our regions, both now and in the future. That’s why we are investing in a skilled workforce that supports bus and rail service throughout our service area. We plan to add more service in the coming months and years, even after extending the MAX Red Line and creating new bus lines in August — one of the biggest service expansions in TriMet’s history.
With well over 3,500 employees, TriMet isn’t just one of Oregon’s best-rated employers — we’re one of Oregon’s largest employers, too.
TriMet provides transit service throughout a 533-square-mile area, which includes parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. That service includes bus lines, five MAX light rail lines, the WES commuter rail line and LIFT paratransit service. We also provide employees and training for the Portland Streetcar, which is owned by the City of Portland and operated separately from TriMet.
Buses and trains don’t run by themselves! We count on our more than 2,800 union workers not only to operate our vehicles, but also to maintain them and keep our system ship-shape.
From bus mechanics to rail technicians and beyond, many of the jobs that keep TriMet and our community moving now offer a $7,500 hiring bonus. You can see a full list of open positions at trimet.org/careers.
Como parte de los esfuerzos de TriMet para hacer que nuestros servicios estén disponibles para más personas, hemos realizado una importante actualización en nuestro sitio web, trimet.org. Ahora, las personas que hablan español, vietnamita, chino simplificado, ruso o coreano como su idioma materno pueden ver la aplicación web de nuestra página de inicio y las páginas de contenido de las rutas en su idioma materno. Estos son los primeros idiomas añadidos, además del inglés, y son los más hablados en nuestra comunidad. Esperamos añadir más idiomas en el futuro.
La ampliación de idiomas refleja la diversidad de nuestra comunidad y el compromiso de TriMet con la igualdad y la inclusión. Ahora, más usuarios pueden planificar viajes, conocer el recorrido de autobuses y trenes, aprender a viajar y mucho más. Al reducir las barreras lingüísticas, más personas pueden acceder a la información sobre nuestros servicios y recursos, lo que les facilita llegar a donde necesitan ir utilizando TriMet.
Un transporte más inclusivo
El idioma no debe ser una barrera para acceder a los servicios de TriMet. Nuestro sitio web actualizado ayuda a responder a las diversas necesidades de nuestra comunidad.
” Nosotros damos la bienvenida a todo el mundo en TriMet, ” dijo el Gerente General de TriMet Sam Desue Jr. “Ofrecer información en otros idiomas da a la gente más independencia y hace que sea más fácil aprender sobre TriMet, acceder a nuestros servicios y conectarse a puestos de trabajo, educación y otras oportunidades en toda el área metropolitana de Portland.”
Cómo acceder a la nueva función de selección de idiomas
Utilizar nuestro sitio web con la nueva función de idiomas traducidos es muy fácil. Visite trimet.org para ver un menú de navegación totalmente actualizado, con la notable colocación de un botón “Language” o “Idioma” en la parte superior derecha de la barra de navegación:
trimet.org en inglés……y en español.
Sólo tiene que hacer clic en el botón “Language” o “Idioma” y obtendrá una lista de los idiomas disponibles. A continuación, seleccione su idioma preferido. La aplicación de nuestra página de inicio cambia todo el contenido a tu idioma preferido, lo que facilita la planificación de un viaje, la consulta de rutas y el seguimiento de tu viaje. También podrás navegar a otra información que te ayudará a moverte:
Cómo viajar en autobús, MAX y WES.
Cómo comprar la tarifa.
Mapas y horarios.
Los programas para tarifas reducidas.
Información y elegibilidad para el programa LIFT.
Viajar en bicicleta y mucho más.
Otras mejoras
Además de la nueva función de selección de idioma, trimet.org presenta otras ventajas para el usuario, que facilitan el uso de lectores de pantalla, control por voz y navegación con teclado. También hemos colocado los botones “Seguridad” y “Alertas” en un lugar más visible, junto al botón “Idioma”, en la parte superior derecha de la página de inicio. Tenemos planeado añadir más funciones en el futuro para adaptarnos a las necesidades de nuestros usuarios.
¿Listo para intentarlo? Visite trimet.org para planificar su próximo viaje, consultar horarios y mucho más.
As part of TriMet’s efforts to make our services available to more people, we have made a major improvement to our website, trimet.org. Now people whose first language is Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Russian or Korean can view the web app on our homepage and rider content pages in their native language. These are the first languages added in addition to English and are the most commonly spoken languages in our community. We hope to add additional languages in the future.
The expansion of languages reflects the diversity of our community and TriMet’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Now, more riders can plan trips, track buses and trains, learn how to ride and more. By reducing language barriers, more people can access information on our services and resources, making it easier for them to get where they need to go using TriMet.
Making transit more inclusive
Language should not be a barrier to accessing TriMet services. Our upgraded website helps accommodate the diverse needs of our community.
“We welcome everybody on TriMet,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “Offering information in other languages gives people more independence and makes it easier to learn about TriMet, access our services and connect to jobs, education and other opportunities throughout the greater Portland metro area.”
How to access the new language selector feature
Using our website with the new translated language function is easy. Visit trimet.org to see a fully updated navigation menu, with prominent placement of a “Language” button in the top right of the navigation bar:
trimet.org in English……and in Spanish.
Just click on the “Language” button and you’ll get a list of the languages available. Then, select your preferred language. The app on our homepage switches all content to your preferred language, making it easier to plan a trip, check out routes and track your ride. You’ll also be able to navigate to other information to help you get moving:
How to ride bus, MAX and WES.
How to purchase fare.
Maps and schedules.
Access Transit programs for reduced fares.
LIFT information and eligibility.
Riding with bicycles and much more.
Other improvements
In addition to the new language selection feature, trimet.org features other user improvements, making it easier for people using screen readers, voice control and keyboard navigation. We also placed the “Security” and “Alerts” buttons in a more prominent spot–next to the “Language” button on the top-right side of the homepage. We plan to add more features in the future to accommodate our riders’ needs.
Ready to try it out? Visit trimet.org to plan your next trip, check schedules and more.
Join the agency that keeps the greater Portland metro region moving!
***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***
Take it from our employees: TriMet is one of the best places to work in Oregon!
Forbes Magazine recently ranked TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon. In that listing, TriMet is the number one Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as the top “Transportation and Logistics” employer in the state. The Forbes listing of the America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024 comes from a survey of employees in each state.
“This honor reflects TriMet’s dedication to our employees and our community,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “Our employees are the heart and soul of TriMet. We could not provide the transit service so many people rely on without their hard work and determination. And, as we work to support our employees in all aspects of their work, we know they in turn help connect our riders to opportunities throughout our region.”
TriMet employs more than 3,500 people. Our diverse workforce reflects the community and people we serve. We’re continuing to hire and add to our growing team, which includes bus and rail operators, mechanics, safety and security personnel, maintenance service workers, dispatchers, planners and schedulers, and more.
TriMet keeps our region on the move
TriMet has been serving the Portland metro region since 1969. That’s nearly 55 years of getting people where they need to go!
We operate bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service across TriMet’s 533-square-mile service area, which includes parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
TriMet plays a central role in the daily life, transportation and economy of our region. In September 2024, we provided about 1.3 million rides a week. The Portland metro area enjoys the 13th-largest transit ridership in the country, even though it is only the 23rd-largest metro area in the country.
Many of our riders rely on TriMet to get to work, school, health care and other services. Others choose TriMet because it’s an accessible, affordable and sustainable way to travel throughout the Portland metro region. And, our employees come to TriMet for rewarding work, financial stability and opportunities for growth.
Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Wages & benefits
TriMet’s top Forbes rating comes from a survey of employees, and it reflects why TriMet is a great place to work. Whether it’s stepping into a great family-wage job, providing a public service to the community, exploring opportunities for advancement, charting a new career path, improving job skills, continuing education or saving for retirement, you can do it at TriMet. We offer benefits and programs to meet our employees’ needs and help turn their dreams into reality.
We offer competitive salaries and have excellent benefits that can save employees tens or hundreds of dollars every month over most private employers. Among the benefits:
Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost
Optional health care coverage for spouses, domestic partners and dependents
Health and dependent care spending accounts
Two retirement plans, including a 401(a) plan with employer contribution of up to 8-10%
Paid vacation and sick leave
Annual transit pass (valued up to $1,200) for employee and eligible family members
More than 2,800 TriMet employees are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, a valued partner to TriMet. Working together, TriMet and the union recently negotiated a four-year contract that expands benefits and gives union workers a 13.64% pay increase. This new Working and Wage Agreement takes effect Dec. 1, 2024. The agreement isn’t just good for TriMet employees — it also supports the work we’re doing to make our transit system cleaner and more reliable, so riders will benefit as well.
Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Supportive & welcoming work environment
TriMet’s commitment to our employees stretches from support across many avenues to development that extends far beyond traditional training.
TriMet employees have access to financial coaching, estate planning, counseling and more through TriMet’s Employee Assistance Program. This program provides individualized and confidential support that is available to every TriMet employee. Also, peer-to-peer support is available to employees through our Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Team members undergo intensive training on mental health and coping resources to help coworkers through stressful or traumatic incidents, supporting our employees’ well-being.
Employees can take advantage of another TriMet benefit to stay physically fit. For a low monthly fee, we offer 24-hour access to five fitness centers for TriMet employees and their families. These fitness centers are conveniently located at facilities where many of our employees work, so they can hit the gym or even take an exercise class before or after their shift.
TriMet also offers learning and leadership courses that are open to all employees. Our Engage, Empower and Expand (E3) Learning Program is designed to help employees thrive by offering a wide range of classes, with topics such as project management, effective communication and creating inclusive environments. We partner with Portland Community College to bring in industry-leading instructors, giving employees access to high-quality, college-level learning experiences — at no cost to employees. On average, we see about 1,500 enrollments per year.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values at TriMet. We welcome and support employees of all backgrounds. Any employee can choose to participate in one or more of TriMet’s Employee Resource Groups. We have nine of these resource groups, and counting — each a community of employees with shared life experiences, offering them an inclusive space to socialize, reflect, innovate and grow.
Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Room for advancement & longevity
Our employees have opportunities to advance in their careers at TriMet. We promote from within for many management positions. Certain jobs — like our transportation supervisors, who help keep our system running every day — are only open to internal applicants.
We’re expanding mentorship opportunities for employees, helping them improve their job skills and develop new ones. We pair up employees as mentors and mentees for nine months, fostering meaningful professional relationships and sharing knowledge across TriMet.
We have dozens of employees who have been with TriMet for decades. More than 70 current employees have at least 30 years of service at TriMet. We recognize long-tenured employees with service awards, celebrating their many years of helping move our region forward. Just this past summer, one of our dedicated bus operators received an award for 40 years of service, a remarkable milestone — although still not the longest tenure for an active employee!
For some of our employees, TriMet is a family affair. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives have all worked alongside each other at TriMet, Forbes’ top Oregon-based employer. In one family, three generations of women have taken the wheel for TriMet over the decades, serving our region through times of growth and change.
TriMet is hiring and offering bonuses for some positions
Learn what our employees know! Join Team TriMet. We’re hiring bus and MAX operators, maintenance service workers, mechanics and technicians, and others. New hires at certain positions are eligible for hiring bonuses, including a $7,500 bonus for new operators and a $2,500 for select maintenance positions! Check out our complete list of open positions at trimet.org/careers.
About Forbes’ list of America’s Best-In-State Employers
TriMet is honored to be recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024. According to Forbes and its partner Statista Inc., the list is based on “an independent survey from a vast sample of over 160,000 employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S. The ranking is open to companies from all industry sectors. Around 4.4 million employer evaluations were considered. The consideration of data from 3 years allowed a robust differentiation between organizations that consistently perform well from those that may only have had a single good year.”
According to Statista Inc., an employer’s final score is based upon two types of employee evaluations:
1. Personal Evaluations: Employees’ willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family
2. Public Evaluations: Recommendations from friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry- also known as indirect evaluations
About Statista Inc.
From Statista: “Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.”
Brand-new bus stop at the heart of Mt. Hood Community College’s campus helps connect students with home, work and other destinations
Students returning to Mt. Hood Community College for the fall term are finding something new on campus: a TriMet bus stop.
Mt. Hood Community College is the new endpoint for Line 25-Glisan/Troutdale Rd, which runs between the college campus in Gresham and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center in outer Northeast Portland.
The new bus service is ultra-convenient for students. The bus stop is just up the stairs and past the fountain from the student union and other major hubs of campus life. Line 25 also links them with the regional transit system, with connections to the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines at the Gateway Transit Center, plus more than a dozen other bus lines.
We recently extended Line 25 to Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale and Northeast Gresham. It now serves both Mt. Hood Community College and Reynolds High School, among other destinations. In addition, Line 25 now runs on all days, with buses arriving every 30 minutes for most of the day.
Traci Simmons, Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mt. Hood Community College, calls it a “game-changer” for Mt. Hood students.
A redesigned line
Line 25 was one of several bus lines that saw major upgrades as part of our most recent service improvements, which we rolled out Aug. 25. These improvements are part of TriMet’s Forward Together service concept: a new vision for how we provide bus service throughout our tri-county area.
The goal of Forward Together is to increase ridership and make bus a better option for more people, particularly those with low or limited income. That’s a challenge that many students at Mt. Hood Community College face.
Many students “don’t have access to a lot of resources like money, or gas, or even a car,” says Isaias Damian Figueroa, a second-year student. He usually rides his bike to school, or he catches another bus at a stop that is a lot further from his home. Line 25 runs right past his neighborhood, though — and he says now that it connects his home to campus, he’ll be taking the bus a lot more often.
Daniela Cabrales, another student and part-time employee at Mt. Hood Community College, says she’s already seeing a lot of fellow students on the bus. She calls it a “great resource,” both for Mt. Hood students and others who live in the community. About 30,000 people live within one-quarter mile of the extended Line 25.
Valued partnerships
TriMet serves a 533-square-mile area that includes parts of three counties. As we add service, we’re guided by the input we receive from members of the community. The feedback we hear from riders helps to shape the decisions we make about where, when and how often we run buses.
We also value our relationships! Mt. Hood Community College and the Reynolds School District are trusted partners of TriMet. For years, we’ve worked with them on fare programs that put transit passes in the hands of students. When our partners asked for more direct bus service, we listened — and answered, with the expanded service we’re providing on Line 25.
“TriMet has been helping us with providing Hop cards and passes and ways for students to get on and off campus for a long time,” says Simmons. “This is just that next level.”
Line 25 is an example of how TriMet is working with community partners to improve connections and expand access to opportunities throughout the region. On the same week we rolled out this new and improved service between East Multnomah County and Northeast Portland, we also:
Created a new bus line, Line 153-Stafford/Salamo, in response to requests from residents and local officials in Lake Oswego and West Linn for a connector between the two cities.
Added midday service on Line 29-Lake/Webster Rd, answering Clackamas County’s call for more buses to serve its new Lake Road Health Center.
Extended the MAX Red Line to the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station, a long-anticipated service improvement sought by business and community leaders in Washington County and the Port of Portland.
Those are just a handful of the service upgrades we made in August — and there’s more to come! We’ll continue to roll out more Forward Together improvements in the coming months. Stay tuned for more details.
Join our team! We’re looking for operators, maintenance workers, mechanics and more — and offering big hiring bonuses for some jobs
Join the TriMet team and jump start a career with opportunities for advancement.
***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***
Competitive pay. Great benefits. Opportunities for advancement.
That’s what’s waiting for you when you join Oregon’s largest transportation service provider — TriMet.
We’re eager to continue improving and expanding our service, and that depends on bringing more operators, mechanics and support staff on board. Find out what it’s like to work for TriMet, ask questions, apply for open positions and maybe even interview on the spot on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at our hiring event. See if you have what it takes to join our team of nearly 3,500 employees and counting!
What’s on offer?
Whether you’ve pictured yourself behind the controls of a MAX train, at the wheel of a bus or tuning up a diesel engine, TriMet’s big hiring event is for you! We also have entry level jobs too, including service worker positions starting at $22.62/an hour.
We invite anyone interested in a job with TriMet to join us for this hiring event. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah St. in Portland. This venue in the Lloyd District is accessible by the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines, TriMet bus lines 8, 70 and 77, and Portland Streetcar’s A and B loops. Plan your trip at trimet.org!
For job seekers driving to the event, free parking will be available on-site.
Check out our complete list of open positions at trimet.org/careers. Job descriptions are available, including salary ranges, minimum qualifications and areas of responsibility.
We’re hiring transit operators, maintenance service workers, mechanics and technicians, among other positions. These serve vital functions at TriMet, allowing us to provide and add service throughout our tri-county service area.
New hires at certain positions are eligible for hiring bonuses, including a $7,500 bonus for new bus and MAX operators, and a $2,500 for select maintenance positions!
TriMet approved a new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 last month. Under this new contract, the hourly wage for operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years!
About TriMet
TriMet provides transit service throughout much of the Portland metro area. We operate bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service across parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
Established in 1969, TriMet is a municipal corporation of the State of Oregon. Our nearly 3,500 workers are public employees.
TriMet offers great benefits for employees, job stability and a welcoming, supportive work environment. Some of our operators have been driving for us for more than 30 years! TriMet provides affordable medical, dental and vision plans, and other amenities for employees. Coming in the years ahead are new perks for union employees, including $150 monthly childcare subsidy, $5,200 in annual tuition reimbursement and an increase to 10% for the employer contribution to each union employee’s 401(a) retirement plan.
Check out trimet.org/careers to learn more, or drop by and meet us at the hiring event on Oct. 9.
