Closure will save riders time on MAX Blue, Red lines through Downtown Portland
TriMet is speeding up the MAX Blue and Red lines through Downtown Portland.
We’re permanently closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, starting Sunday, Aug. 24. The TriMet Board of Directors voted to close the station last year, after a yearslong process of community engagement and outreach.
MAX currently has to make three stops to serve stations spaced closely together on 1st Avenue in Downtown Portland. As a result, trains move slowly along this stretch, causing trips to take longer.
Once the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is closed, MAX trains will proceed directly between the Old Town/Chinatown and Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX stations. Those stations will remain open, continuing to serve riders along 1st Avenue.
Saving riders time
TriMet first proposed closing four stations on the MAX Blue and Red lines in 2018. The goal was to speed up trains and reduce travel times for riders in Downtown Portland.
Three of the stations — Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave — closed permanently in 2020. Skidmore Fountain is the fourth station we considered for closure.
Since we closed the stations in 2020, trip times through Downtown Portland on the MAX Blue and Red lines have been about a minute and a half faster. Closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station will save riders another 45 seconds every trip.
In speeding up MAX service in Downtown, we focused on stations that were less than 600 feet from another station. The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is just 500 feet from the closest station. For comparison, a two-car MAX train is about 200 feet long.
Making this decision
In 2018, when we first proposed closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, we asked riders and the public, including employers located in the Skidmore Fountain area, for their feedback. In response to the input we received from the community, we postponed a final decision on whether to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station, waiting to see if ridership at the station increased.
Historically, Skidmore Fountain has been among our least used stations along the MAX Blue and Red lines in Downtown Portland. The station has not seen ridership increase over the past five years, so in January 2024, we once again proposed closing it, which our Board approved in April 2024.
Today, average weekly ridership at the Skidmore Fountain Station is less than half of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the employers in the area have closed, moved elsewhere or transitioned to remote work.
Getting around
The Skidmore Fountain MAX Station is right in between two other MAX stations on the Blue and Red lines:
Old Town/Chinatown MAX Station, two blocks north (about 500 feet) from Skidmore Fountain
Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX Station, four blocks south (about 1,000 feet) from Skidmore Fountain
If you currently use the Skidmore Fountain Station, you can use either of these stations instead. You can also access the Portland Saturday Market, held at nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park, from these stations.
TriMet will be making changes to MAX schedules and some bus lines on Aug. 24 as well. Learn more at trimet.org/servicechanges.
Visit trimet.org to plan your trip. Be sure to set your travel date for Sunday, Aug. 24, or later.
Mount Tabor Neighborhood residents aim to set an example by driving less and frequenting Downtown Portland businesses more often
Mary Lou Hennrich has a message for anyone hesitant to board a TriMet bus or MAX train: Just do it! It’s simple, safe and fun.
It’s a message that her neighbors in the Mount Tabor Neighborhood have embraced. They now gather every month near the Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd Ave bus stop, located at Southeast 71st Avenue and Yamhill Street, for an activity they call “Tabor to Town.” The group of about 15 ride the bus to experience different Downtown Portland destinations together.
While the idea originated with Mary Lou, it was sparked by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s State of the City address in May 2025, where he voiced his optimistic message, “the state of Portland is rising.” During the address, he recounted his vision of “transportation-oriented villages,” suggesting that Portlanders could support this by leaving their cars at home.
Mary Lou Hennrich (right) walks from a bus stop in Downtown Portland with the rest of the Tabor to Town group.
Inspired, Mary Lou reached out to her friends and neighbors with the idea: Let’s take a TriMet bus and travel to Downtown Portland to support local businesses. Given Tabor to Towns’ simplicity and community-focused nature, Mary Lou is now challenging other neighborhoods to follow their lead.
“I’d love to get more people on the bus, more people going downtown, more people comfortable using public transportation,” Mary Lou says. “Let’s challenge other neighborhoods – Laurelhurst, Sellwood, Irvington, Buckman – because we really need to support Downtown businesses.”
Riding ‘is really fun’
Riding the bus is nothing new to Mary Lou.
She began riding a Rose City Transit bus to Glencoe Elementary School in kindergarten. Even then, it was an opportunity to build connections. She always rode with a classmate, and for the two of them, the bus opened up a world of possibilities.
Now, as a retired public health administrator turned volunteer and advocate, Mary Lou wants to promote public transportation as an ideal means of travel for people of all ages. Most of the neighbors who participate in Tabor to Town are older adults, many of whom have limited experience riding. But that hasn’t stopped them. It has only added to the enjoyment.
The feedback she has heard from neighbors has been positive. While some may have been reluctant before, now they say, “This is really fun.”
Connecting communities, supporting businesses
With Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd, residents of the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood are brought together in multiple ways. For June’s Tabor to Town outing, Mary Lou planned for the group to dine at the Midtown Beer Garden by Expensify, located at the corner of Southwest Fifth Avenue and Harvey Milk Street.
She organized the outing before she knew that her neighbor Matt Allen was the beer garden’s project manager, a fact she only discovered after he received one of her flyers. He emailed her afterward with the news. They were both thrilled by the coincidence.
Matt is also an avid TriMet rider, and he views the benefits of Tabor to Town from a business perspective. Having lived in Portland for 13 years, he views TriMet as the easiest way to get around Downtown Portland. For him, public transportation is about building a sense of community.
“It’s really easy to hop on a bus and head Downtown,” he said. “And guess what, that same bus will take you back home!”
Mayor Keith Wilson joins the Tabor to Town group at their June meet-up.
Matt was at the food carts to greet the Tabor to Town group as they arrived for June’s outing, adding one more neighbor to the group. Even Mayor Wilson, the inspiration for the group, showed up to show his support for the initiative.
Affordable transportation centered on you
Whether your destination is a night out, sporting event, appointment or something else entirely, TriMet offers a more affordable alternative to driving, saving you money on gas and parking. As the Tabor to Town group has discovered, it’s a great way to get to know the city. After all, Downtown Portland is served by more than 30 bus lines, many of which are Frequent Service, arriving every 15 minutes or more often. Additionally, all five MAX lines serve areas across the city’s Central Business District. You can plan your trip and view the real-time locations of buses and MAX trains at trimet.org.
Improving the riding experience is at the center of TriMet’s multi-year efforts to boost safety, security and cleanliness. In the past year alone, these initiatives have included the creation of a centralized Security Operations Center and the introduction of 28 blue-light security phones to MAX stations and transit centers, with additional installations planned for the future. Riders can also act as our eyes and ears. We encourage you to call 503-238-RIDE (7433) if you see inappropriate activities.
We also want to know how your ride went. Your feedback is valuable! It helps us understand our performance and identify areas for improvement, thereby enhancing your experience. Scan the QR code displayed on most buses and trains, and follow the prompts to provide us with instant feedback.
If Mary Lou has any feedback to share, it’s that taking a break from driving feels good. She knows from experience that it connects you to your city and neighbors, and she wants to share that message with others. “C’mon, get out,” she says. “Talk to your neighbors.”
When the landmark legislation was signed in 1990, TriMet was well on our way to becoming one of the most accessible transit systems in the country
Earlier this month, when TriMet’s “MAX Train 101” was loaded onto an oversized flatbed trailer and hauled down to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum’s permanent collection in Brooks, Oregon, it marked the beginning of the end of an era.
For people in the region’s disability community, the farewell was more than nostalgic. It was liberating.
Back in 1986, when TriMet’s first MAX trains rolled into service, the new light rail system had all the bells and whistles: shiny train cars, newly laid track, an all-electric overhead power system and a smooth, stress-free ride between Downtown Portland and Gresham.
People with disabilities had long relied on TriMet’s buses to get around. They wanted access to this new form of public transportation, too. But something was missing. The trains were not accessible, especially for people who used wheelchairs. Boarding required climbing stairs!
Accessibility challenges everywhere
By the time MAX was coming around, Jan Campbell had had enough with stairs. Bound to a wheelchair since age two due to a spinal condition, Campbell recalls having to ask people at Portland State University to carry her – and her wheelchair – up the stairs, just so she could attend class.
The world, at that time, including here in Portland, was not built for people with disabilities. But TriMet’s light rail system ultimately was, thanks to Campbell and the agency’s Committee on Accessible Transportation, which she helped form in 1984. The group was tasked with giving TriMet input on topics related to accessibility. Their first action called for wayside lifts to be built on platforms along the future MAX line, so that people in wheelchairs could access it, too.
“My vision has and always continues to be — systems change — so that persons with disabilities can live to their fullest potential and have a better life,” said Campbell.
1990 signing ceremony
In the years that followed, the fight for equal rights reached Washington, D.C. and the White House. On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, creating the world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. The landmark legislation prohibited discrimination in areas including employment, public services and transportation.
By that time, TriMet had already recognized the need to make accessible features standardized across our transit system. At TriMet, we have always considered the ADA an excellent starting point, but we have never stopped striving for more.
“From the earliest days of our agency, TriMet understood that public transportation isn’t truly public if it isn’t accessible to all,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “We knew that for many in our region — older adults, people with disabilities, and those with non-apparent conditions — transit is more than a ride. It’s a lifeline to independence, employment, education, health care and community. It’s a connection to opportunity.”
Second-generation MAX makes ADA history
TriMet’s MAX system made history again in the 1990s, when, once again guided by the Committee on Accessible Transportation, TriMet’s leaders decided on low-floor light rail vehicles for the west side extension to Hillsboro. At the time, only systems in Europe offered riders the convenience of simply rolling on board.
TriMet’s decision for the early adoption of low-floor light rail vehicles is considered to be one of our greatest contributions to accessible transit, not only in Portland but all over North America. Our low-floor trains – the nation’s first – rolled into service in 1997.
More than 30 years since the low-floor cars made history, TriMet continues to expand our accessibility initiatives with bold initiatives, informed by and achieved with valuable insight from the Committee on Accessible Transportation.
Learn more about TriMet’s accessible fixed-route and LIFT paratransit services at trimet.org/access.
Budget reductions aim to preserve service, jobs as much as possible
In the wake of the Oregon Legislature’s failure to pass House Bill 2025 — the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package (TRIP) — TriMet will make a series of budget reductions beginning this year, including service cuts, to address a significant, growing fiscal challenge.
Service cuts are necessary now for TriMet to avoid drastic cuts in the future and continue providing the vital transit service our riders rely on to get to jobs, schools, services and other vital destinations across our 533-square-mile service district.
The failure of HB2025 leaves many of Oregon’s transit agencies, including TriMet, without the sufficient funding needed to sustain service levels in the years ahead. We are encouraged by Gov. Tina Kotek’s call for a special session to address funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation, local jurisdictions and transit districts. But the absence of legislative action in June has forced TriMet to make service cuts this November and in March 2026, with additional reductions necessary in the years ahead to begin closing a projected $300 million gap between our annual expenditures and revenues.
“We are facing a fiscal cliff in 2030, so we must act now to balance our budget for the long term,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “As Oregon’s largest public transit provider, we have a tremendous responsibility to keep people in our region moving. Cutting service now means avoiding sudden, catastrophic cuts in the future.”
A Responsible Approach to a Growing Deficit
TriMet’s budget for the current year, fiscal year 2026, adopted by TriMet’s Board of Directors on May 29, 2025, did not assume an increase in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) that helps fund public transit, which had been included in HB 2025. TriMet began taking steps during the development of that budget to reduce the deficit for the year, identifying $24.2 million in savings via cuts to discretionary spending.
As TriMet continues to work to close the projected shortfall in our annual operating and capital maintenance budget, we will continue looking at internal savings, but other budget reductions are also necessary. We are committed to balancing our budget in three years, by July 1, 2028, meaning our expenditures will be equal or less than our revenues.
Budget Reductions
TriMet must begin reducing our service this winter, with a series of further cuts over the next few years resulting in at least a 10% overall cut to service by the end of August 2027. Without additional revenue, TriMet will be forced to cut another $48 million in service and other spending.
Despite the budget reductions, TriMet will prioritize safety, reliability and essential maintenance needs.
Initially, service cuts will focus on reducing frequencies on some bus lines. Following that, TriMet will need to eliminate some bus lines, adjust some bus routes and adjust MAX service. Because of the changes to bus and MAX service, our LIFT paratransit service will also be reduced.
If TriMet is unsuccessful in increasing our revenue by fall 2027, more service cuts will be needed.
Budget Reductions – Service Cuts
November 2025:
TriMet will reduce service on Nov. 30, 2025, by cutting the frequency, or how often buses run, on the following:
Some Frequent Service lines during evenings and mornings
FX2-Division bus line at night
Up to eight other bus lines during all service hours
March 2026:
TriMet will need to make additional service cuts, effective March 1, 2026. We will be engaging our riders and the public this fall to discuss these cuts, but proposed cuts would include:
Eliminating some low ridership bus lines
Eliminating evening service on lower ridership bus lines
Changing routes on some bus lines to increase efficiency
Reducing the MAX Green Line route. Green Line trains would only serve stations between Clackamas Town Center and Gateway Transit Center. Riders would need to transfer to other trains at Gateway Transit Center.
May 2026 through August 2027:
Further service cuts will be required between May 2026 and August 2027, to reach the needed 10% service reduction. Without an increase in revenue, TriMet will have to cut additional service above that 10% to balance our budget.
These service reductions will likely include:
Additional cuts to frequency on at least a dozen bus lines
Eliminating other bus lines or portions of lines
Reducing the frequency on all MAX lines during some parts of the day.
The anticipated service cuts laid out above add up to about an 18% overall reduction in MAX service — the largest cut to MAX in its history — and about an 8% reduction in bus service — the third largest cut since at least 1986.
Without increased state funding for transit, these service reductions will become even more severe.
Budget Reductions – Workforce Needs
As service levels decrease over the next two years, TriMet’s workforce needs will be reduced by at least 140 operators, with additional staff reductions in maintenance and support functions.
On the administrative side, TriMet will perform an overall staffing analysis to right-size the agency, which will likely result in a reduction of non-union jobs.
Some of the staffing reductions will be handled through normal attrition, due to personnel actions like promotions, resignations and retirements, but some layoffs will likely be necessary.
TriMet will also enact a hiring freeze, with only mission-critical positions being filled.
Budget Reductions – Spending Cuts
TriMet will not add spending for new initiatives over the next three years as we work to balance our budget. We will also work to reduce our contract expenses with other businesses for everything from personnel to services to materials. Our contract expenses will be cut by 5% annually while we work to mitigate any expense increases in those contracts.
We will evaluate further areas for budget reductions and reengage an internal effort to identify efficiencies and improve processes. This work will focus on eliminating duplication, reducing waste, and streamlining operations—helping us become a leaner, more effective agency, while responsibly continuing to deliver safe and reliable public transit service to our community.
Revenue Increases
TriMet will look at all available options to increase revenue. We’ve already identified two actions – raising fares and an increase in the STIF payroll tax – that would help close our operating budget deficit. If TriMet is not successful in gaining new revenue through these two actions, we will need to identify $48 million in additional service and spending cuts.
Revenue Increases – Fares
TriMet is not making changes to fares at this time. However, in alignment with the Board-adopted Strategic Financial Plan’s fare policy, we will pursue a 20 cent increase to our Adult fare and 10 cent increase to our Honored Citizen reduced and Youth fares in August/September 2028. Public outreach would begin a year prior.
Revenue Increases – Transit Funding
TriMet is committed to working with lawmakers to ensure that transit funding is part of any future effort to increase state transportation revenue. An increase in STIF program funding would buy valuable time to pursue long-term efficiencies and additional resources, avoid deeper service cuts and preserve access to transit for thousands of Oregonians.
“We are grateful to the lawmakers and advocates who stood with transit during the 2025 session,” said Desue. “But we need more than support — we need action. We urge the Legislature to come together to pass a comprehensive transportation package that maintains public transit service for the people of Oregon.”
Costs of Providing Public Transit Skyrocket
TriMet has seen operating costs skyrocket, mainly due to inflation. Our operating costs per vehicle hour have increased 53% from 2019 to 2024.
Among the cost increases: Fuel and tires are up nearly 35% for our bus service, while facilities maintenance costs are up 71%. Software license fees are also growing at a staggering rate when compared to previous years.
The cost of contract personnel has also risen. TriMet’s LIFT paratransit service relies on contractors, and the cost for those personnel has increased from 47% to 85%, depending on the role. TriMet’s budget for safety and security has tripled in the last several years as we have expanded our contracted unarmed safety and security workforce to address community-wide public safety challenges that affect our transit system.Additionally, TriMet has been unable to sustainably fund a growing backlog of capital maintenance projects, including replacement of buses and light rail trains. The funding needed to keep pace with our long-term maintenance needs is now built into our budget forecasts.
Next steps
To keep our community informed and engaged, TriMet will launch a dedicated web page at trimet.org/budget in the weeks ahead. There, we will provide information about the budget challenges we’re facing, the steps we’re taking to address them, and what these changes mean for riders and the region. We will list outreach events as they are planned.
We will encourage riders and community members to visit the page to learn more, ask questions, and stay involved as TriMet works toward a more sustainable future for transit in our region.
The festival, held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, will take place both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The parade kicks off at the North Park Blocks at 11 a.m. before making its way to the festival.
TriMet is the best way to get to and from Portland Pride! The festival entrances along Southwest Naito Parkway are conveniently located close to TriMet bus stops and MAX stations, as is the parade route. Skip the traffic, save on parking and take TriMet instead!
Taking TriMet
Getting to and from Portland Pride is easy with TriMet.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival entrances are located along Naito Parkway at Southwest Ash, Pine and Harvey Milk streets. The Harvey Milk Street entrance is just a block east of the Oak St/SW 1st Ave MAX Station, which is served by the MAX Blue and Red lines.
The parade route along Northwest Davis Street passes right by the NW 6th & Davis and NW 5th & Couch MAX stations, which are served by the MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines, as well as the Old Town/Chinatown MAX Station on the Blue and Red lines.
Several bus lines also stop near Waterfront Park and the parade route.
As always, TriMet works closely with organizers to keep people safe during the parade.
Lines 16 and 77 will be detoured from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MAX trains on all lines may pause for a few minutes to allow parade groups and floats to cross the tracks, before proceeding once it’s safe.
We encourage riders of these lines to allow some extra time on Sunday, as the parade may cause minor delays.
It’s easy to get on board!
You don’t need a Hop Fastpass® card or cash to pay Adult fare on TriMet!
Just tap your contactless credit or debit card, or a smartphone with a digital wallet, at a green Hop reader when you ride. Each rider should use a separate card.
You can ride for 2½ hours, anywhere on TriMet, when you tap. If you tap again with the same payment method after that, you’ll earn a Day Pass! Learn more at trimet.org/fares.
Always be respectful of fellow riders and TriMet employees. Check out our Rules for Riding before you go. Call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE) anytime to report unwanted or suspicious behavior.
Free parking
Park for free at a TriMet Park & Ride near you! Instead of driving into Downtown Portland and paying for parking, you can leave your car at one of our parking facilities, hop on a bus or MAX, and skip the stress and expense.
Park & Rides are located throughout our service area, with hundreds of parking spaces at facilities like:
Check out the travel options in our Trip Planner at trimet.org and see which Park & Ride is the best fit for your trip!
Pride Progress bus
A TriMet bus, featuring a special LGBTQ+ themed design, will roll in the Portland Pride Parade!
We unveiled “From Progress to Beyond,” by Portland artist Daniel Quasar, last year. This dazzling bus has been turning heads on metro-area streets ever since.
Quasar is also the artist behind the Pride Progress flag, which has become popular around the world as an inclusive symbol of LGBTQ+ and other diverse communities. For “From Progress to Beyond,” Quasar adapted their flag to wrap around a TriMet bus, covering it in bold, angular stripes.
TriMet’s pioneering light rail vehicle will find new life at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum
After more than 38 years of service and 2.2 million miles traveled, one of TriMet’s oldest MAX trains is nearing its next stop – retirement.
TriMet is donating Type 1 vehicle “101” to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum, a move that will preserve the first MAX train car ever manufactured. The vehicle will join the museum’s vast collection of electric trolleys and streetcars, but with a twist sure to delight TriMet diehards and rail fans across the state.
In recognition of the donation and the vehicle’s legacy, TriMet is bidding farewell to MAX car 101 at our Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility on Tuesday, July 8. The car will be transported to the museum later this month. This ensures the MAX car remains in the Willamette Valley, available for in-person experiences. The museum is located in Brooks, Ore., about 38 miles south of Portland via Interstate 5.
The donation also comes with a special goal in mind: to keep the car running. That’s the long-term mission of the museum, which features a mile-long track that runs through its property. This ensures that a vital piece of Portland’s transit history continues to roll into the future!
Type 1s roll on through 2025
The donation comes as we phase out our fleet of Type 1s and introduce the new Type 6s, our most technologically advanced MAX trains yet. If you’re interested in catching a Type 1 before they disappear, you’re in luck. A few trains will continue serving riders through the start of 2026.
If you’re unsure about which type of MAX train you’re boarding, just look for the number at the top of the train. Another rule of thumb – if there are stairs, it’s a Type 1. Because the stairs make the Type 1s inaccessible to some, they are always coupled with either a Type 2 or Type 3 MAX car that has low floors.
Most Type 1s are being sent to Radius Recycling, where they’re being turned into materials like rebar that will be used for local construction projects. Preserving at least one of the cars will keep a vital piece of the state’s rail transit history in the region for generations to come.
“This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and ensure the legacy and history of light rail is recognized,” TriMet’s Project Manager for Vehicle Engineering Joe Taylor said. “The Type 1s were designed and built in 1983 and went into service in 1986. They have been a fantastic workhorse for the agency, and we are excited to partner with the Oregon Electric Railway Museum to preserve one for future generations.”
The donation fulfills a longstanding goal that has been more than 30 years in the making, museum leadership said
“This donation continues the story of Portland’s transit history at our museum for future generations to enjoy,” Oregon Electric Railway Heritage Society Secretary Mark Kavanagh said.
Showcasing public transportation
The Oregon Electric Railway Museum’s home is the 62-acre Powerland Heritage Park, a campus of 14 museums reflecting the preservation, restoration and operation of historic equipment. The museum has a collection of over 30 pieces, including streetcars, interurbans and electric freight locomotives, representing not just Portland but also other cities in the U.S., as well as Europe, Asia and Australia.
“As soon as the first Type 1 light rail vehicle started operation in 1986, we were making plans for the museum to acquire one upon retirement,” said Greg Bonn, the museum’s former director and son of its founder.
The museum plans to make modifications to its overhead trolley wire to allow the donated MAX car to operate. In the near term, the museum will display the vehicle near the museum’s trolley depot at Powerland Heritage Park during the Great Oregon Steam-up, scheduled for July 26-27 and August 2-3.
After Steam-up, it will be moved to the museum’s vehicle barn for occasional tours, where it will join two original 1904 Council Crest Portland Streetcars and the last streetcar purchased by the Portland Traction Company in 1932.
The museum is open on Saturdays in the summer months, along with special events with trolley rides. The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, also operates the Willamette Shore Trolley between Lake Oswego and Portland. For more about the museum, visit: museum.oregontrolley.com
At a Glance
TriMet’s Type 1 trains
You may have noticed, TriMet’s original trains are unlike any in our fleet. Here are a few examples of what make the Type 1s standout as the distinctive trains that they are.
They had a different manufacturer than the rest of TriMet’s MAX fleet. The Type 1s were built by Bombardier, while all the others were built by Siemens.
The Type 1’s boxy design is reminiscent of Belgian trains manufactured by BN Constructions Ferroviaires et Métalliques, some of which are also displayed at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum. Bombardier modified an existing BN design for the Type 1s as part of a joint venture between the two companies.
The Type 1s are notable for having high floors and stairs. Before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and later the introduction of low-floor trains, TriMet used devices at our stations that lifted people in mobility devices onto trains with the operator’s assistance.
The Type 1s have more seating than any other MAX train.
The Type 1s were completely analog. Even the destination displays had to be cranked by hand!
TriMet bus, MAX are great ways to get to Downtown Portland’s biggest music festival, as well as July 4 fireworks!
Congestion, gridlock and parking fees are enough to have any driver singing the blues on a busy day in Downtown Portland.
Leave the blues to the musicians — skip the hassle, save money and take TriMet to the Waterfront Blues Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park! This festival is Portland’s biggest annual music event. It will be held Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5.
TriMet buses and Portland Streetcar will operate on Sunday schedules for the July 4 holiday. Meanwhile, MAX will arrive more frequently in the evening — and it will continue running until after midnight — to help people get to and from the Blues Festival and Fourth of July fireworks display. Fireworks begin at Waterfront Park around 10 p.m.
Go by transit
If you’re heading to the Blues Festival or the Fourth of July fireworks show, TriMet is the best way to go!
TriMet Park & Rides have free parking for transit users — so you can avoid the dreaded drive into Downtown Portland, leave your car at a Park & Ride, and take the bus or MAX to the Blues Festival instead.
Park & Rides are located all over the Portland metro area. Find a complete list at trimet.org/parkandride.
Bus
The closest weekday bus stop to the Blues Festival entrance is at Southwest Columbia Street and 1st Avenue, just a block away. Several more bus lines stop within a few blocks, including many that run along the Transit Mall.
Visit trimet.org and use our Trip Planner to find the best way to get to the Blues Festival by bus! The entrance is at 1400 SW Naito Parkway. Make sure to set your travel date so your trip is the right one for whenever you’re going, as Friday and Saturday schedules are different.
Some bus lines will use alternate river crossings on Friday evening, as the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges will be closed for the July 4 fireworks show. Plan extra time for travel.
MAX
Multiple MAX stations are a few minutes’ stroll from the Blues Festival entrance. The closest are:
City Hall/SW 5th & Jefferson and SW 6th & Madison (MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines)
Yamhill District and Morrison/SW 3rd Ave (MAX Blue and Red lines)
Additionally, PSU Urban Center is a transfer point between MAX and Portland Streetcar, about a 10-minute stroll from the Blues Festival entrance.
Waterfront Park is just a few blocks east of the Transit Mall. That means it’s super-easy to get there by MAX! Many bus lines also stop along the Transit Mall. Our Trip Planner at trimet.org can show you the best options for getting there.
July 4 special service
On July 4, MAX will run every 15 minutes until later in the evening, giving people a ride to and from the fireworks show. Trains may arrive less frequently late at night.
For the holiday, the latest departure times for trains on each line:
MAX Blue Line: 12:03 a.m. westbound from Rose Quarter Transit Center, 12:07 a.m. eastbound from Pioneer Square South
MAX Green Line: 11:48 p.m. eastbound from Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave (ending at Clackamas Town Center), 1:30 a.m. eastbound from Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave (ending at Gateway Transit Center)
MAX Orange Line: 12:01 a.m. southbound from Pioneer Place/SW 5th Ave
MAX Red Line: 1:25 a.m. westbound from Rose Quarter Transit Center, 11:44 p.m. eastbound from Pioneer Square South
MAX Yellow Line: 12:26 a.m. northbound from Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave
Summer fun and Fourth of July fireworks
Music fans have been riding TriMet to the Waterfront Blues Festival since 1988! That’s when the festival was founded in Downtown Portland — just two years after MAX light rail began serving riders in 1986. Festival hours are 1 to 10:30 p.m. July 4-5. The first night finishes with the famous Fourth of July fireworks show over the Willamette River.
Tilikum Crossing is also a great viewing spot for the fireworks display! Please be sure to stay on the pedestrian walkway, not in the bus lane or on the tracks, for your safety and so we can continue to move people safely across the bridge.
Tips for first-time riders
New to riding TriMet? No problem!
Plan your trip
First, visit trimet.org. You’ll be greeted by a big interactive map, along with a Trip Planner you can use to plan your trip!
Enter your destination, your starting location, and your time and date of travel. Then hit “Plan Trip” to see the best options for you!
If you like, you can even choose more travel options, such as your mode of transit, how far you want to walk or roll, the closest Park & Ride, and more.
Pay your fare
Our fare system is Hop Fastpass®, which we share with the Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN. You can purchase a Hop card at any transit fare card machine at our MAX stations, or pay with cash when you board a bus.
But you don’t need a Hop card or ticket to ride! Just tap your contactless debit or credit card at one of our green Hop readers, either before you get on MAX or when you get on the bus. You can also pay with your digital wallet, using common apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
If you’re asked for proof of fare, simply present the card or device you used for payment.
You can ride for up to 2½ hours on a standard fare. If you tap to pay again after that, you’ll earn a Day Pass.
Enjoy the ride!
All of our MAX stations — and many bus stops — have digital displays with upcoming arrivals, updated in real time. Plus, you can track your TriMet bus or train on our website at trimet.org!
Please be courteous to your fellow riders and TriMet employees, and respect our Rules for Riding. Report any unwanted behavior to TriMet by calling or texting 503-238-7433 (RIDE), any time of day.Check out trimet.org/howtoride for more info, and have a great ride!
Your Providence Park concert ticket is your ticket to ride TriMet for up to three hours before and three hours after the show
When you think of Providence Park, what do you think of?
Thrilling moments. Cheering crowds. And don’t forget: TriMet bus and MAX service right outside the stadium!
As many as 30,000 people will pack Providence Park, and there’s no parking at the stadium! But getting there on TriMet couldn’t be easier — and, if you have a ticket to the concert on Saturday, June 28, it’s also free! You can use your digital ticket to see Post Malone with Jelly Roll as proof of fare on any TriMet bus, MAX, LIFT paratransit and the Portland Streetcar for up to three hours before and after the 6:30 p.m. concert.
Riding TriMet to Providence Park is ridiculously easy. Just plan your trip at trimet.org, have your digital ticket on your smartphone or another device, and hop off at a bus stop or MAX station close by.
The MAX Blue and Red lines stop at the Providence Park MAX Station, directly across Southwest 18th Avenue from the stadium. Several bus lines stop close by as well.
If you’re riding the MAX Green, Orange or Yellow line or a bus that stops along the Transit Mall, you can transfer to a Blue or Red line train at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Portland Streetcar riders can transfer to MAX at the Library/Galleria stations.
Your concert ticket is valid for riding anywhere on TriMet and the Portland Streetcar before and after the show — whether you’re taking a direct route or making a stop or two along the way.
Additionally, TriMet will run extra buses and trains to serve riders heading to and from Saturday’s concert, reducing wait times. We’ll also have extra safety and security personnel on hand.
Ride and save
No one likes paying for parking. With TriMet, you don’t have to.
We have TriMet Park & Rides all across the tri-county area! Find a free parking facility that’s convenient to you at trimet.org/parkandride. Locations include:
Instead of paying $6 per hour for event parking, you could save over $20 on parking fees alone by taking TriMet. And, while the search for street parking can be super-stressful, TriMet’s parking lots and garages have hundreds of parking spaces, not to mention bright lighting and security cameras.
Know before you go
Check out TriMet’s Rules for Riding. Please be courteous to fellow riders and TriMet employees! You can report any unwanted behavior to TriMet by calling or texting 503-238-7433 (RIDE).
If you’re asked to show proof of fare on concert day, simply present your digital ticket. Our bus operators and Customer Safety Supervisors will recognize it as valid fare for up to three hours before and after the concert.
So, when you put it all together:
Park for free at a TriMet Park & Ride
Ride to Providence Park for free by showing your concert ticket as proof of fare
Ride back from Providence Park for free, again using your concert ticket
While our climate is mild for much of the year, summer heat is no joke. Since 2020, temperatures have hit 100 degrees in Portland 20 times — all between June and September. Earlier this month, even before the official start of the summer season, we saw high temperatures reach the mid-90s.
At TriMet, we’ve been working to improve how our MAX and WES trains perform on hot-weather days. That means fewer delays and more reliable rides, even when temperatures are well into the 90s.
Even so, when temperatures climb to the triple digits, TriMet may limit train speeds for safety. Furthermore, sun and heat exposure can be dangerous, especially for children, seniors and people with medical conditions. Shade is not available at all of our stops and stations. Riders should check trimet.org/alerts, plan for trips to take extra time and have a way to keep cool during extreme heat.
Slowing down for safety
Metal expands when it’s hot. That causes sagging in our overhead wires that supply power to MAX trains. It can also cause “sun kinks” or warping in our rails. We closely monitor track conditions when temperatures rise, keeping riders safe and allowing our maintenance crews to promptly address any issues we see on our system.
We’ve been working to improve how MAX and WES perform in high temperatures. That includes upgrading the tensioning system we use to keep the overhead wires taut, as well as improving the track itself to be more resistant to sun kinks. Just this year, we installed automatic tensioning devices along a section of the MAX Blue Line, which we’re evaluating for a wider rollout.
At or above 100 degrees, we limit MAX trains to 35 mph. While trains travel below that speed on most sections of our MAX system, slowdowns can cause delays of up to 30 minutes throughout our system.
WES trains are limited to 40 mph at or above 100 degrees, which can mean 10-minute delays.
WES will not operate if temperatures reach 105 degrees. At around 110 degrees, we may temporarily suspend MAX service for the safety of our riders and employees. Buses will continue to operate, and shuttle buses will provide temporary service along WES and MAX lines if necessary.
Limiting speeds helps protect our vehicles, trackway and sensitive equipment during extreme heat. It also makes it easier for operators to keep an eye out for any heat-related issues.
Learn more about how we’re improving our system at trimet.org/heat.
How you can beat the heat
All TriMet vehicles are air-conditioned. However, shade may not be available while you wait for your vehicle, depending on where you catch the bus or MAX.
Take steps to keep cool and stay hydrated, especially when travel may take longer. Wearing sun protection and carrying an umbrella to provide shade are good ideas. So is packing a water bottle.
Remember our Rules for Riding: Drinks, such as water, coffee, tea, sports drinks and soft drinks, can be brought on board TriMet vehicles in closed containers. That includes bottles, travel mugs and cups with a lid.
Fans, umbrellas and personal sun shades are also allowed on TriMet, as long as they can be folded up or stowed. Please make sure not to block aisles or doors with any item you bring on board.
Even on unusually hot days, like the heat wave we experienced earlier this month, temperatures may not climb high enough to cause service delays. All the same, TriMet is staying prepared this summer. You can be prepared, too! Check trimet.org/alerts for the latest service information before you go. You can also sign up to receive service alerts at trimet.org/email.
Seniors, people with disabilities in south Gresham begin using on-demand transit to connect with neighborhood destinations and TriMet fixed-route services
What if riding public transit was as easy as using ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft?
Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall; TriMet Executive Director of Public Affairs, JC Vannatta; TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation (CAT) Chair, Jan Campbell; and Chief People and Strategy Officer for Meals on Wheels People, Jessica Morris, with a TriMet NEXT bus at the Multnomah County East Building in Gresham
Enter TriMet NEXT: an on-demand transit service to help seniors and people with disabilities make connections with their community. TriMet is launching a public pilot of the new service in the South Gresham and Powell Valley neighborhoods of Gresham.
TriMet NEXT is micro transit. It is great for quick trips to destinations within our pilot project service area. It can also be used to connect with our fixed-route services at transit centers and hubs, providing access to an additional 79 bus lines, five MAX lines and WES commuter rail, for travel across our 533-square-mile service area.
“TriMet NEXT is about convenience, connectivity and independence,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “It’s also about freedom — the freedom to connect with your community on your schedule, with a trusted transportation provider that’s known for safe, affordable transit service!”
Your NEXT ride is right around the corner!
With TriMet NEXT, there is no heading to a stop to wait for the bus. The bus comes to you!
All you need to get started is the free TriMet NEXT app! Download it in the Apple App or Google Play stores. Plug in your starting location and destination, and we’ll send our next available vehicle to you.
We’ll also let you know when the bus will arrive — typically within 30 minutes! TriMet NEXT is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It provides service seven days a week, including on holidays.
No app? No problem. With TriMet NEXT, you can also reserve trips online at trimet.org/next or by calling 503-962-5959.
“I applaud TriMet’s courage for looking at ways that we can solve challenges folks face in our communities,” said Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall. “There’s something called the last mile, and it’s often a challenge for people, connecting that last mile of transportation with our homes and business, and this is a solution that helps in that access.”
Just as easy to use and much more affordable
While there are many similarities between TriMet NEXT and popular ride-hailing apps, there are some beneficial differences as well:
Cost: The fare for TriMet NEXT is the same as our fixed-route services. You will never be charged more than $2.80 to ride 2½ hours with Adult fare and $1.40 for Honored Citizen fare, which is available to adults over 65 and those with disabilities who have signed up for the reduced fare. There is no surge pricing with TriMet. TriMet NEXT fare transfers seamlessly to our fixed-route network.
Savings: Like our fixed-route buses and trains, TriMet NEXT uses Hop Fastpass®. Hop is an electronic fare system that makes it easy to pay fare with a physical Hop card, virtual Hop card or a contactless debit or credit card. It also helps you save money, ensuring you never pay more than you should to ride.
Peace of mind: When you ride with TriMet NEXT, you know your driver is always going to be a professional transit operator who has undergone a background check. Rides take place on smaller, accessible paratransit buses that have space for up to six people and multiple mobility devices. TriMet NEXT operators will help riders secure mobility devices on board, if requested.
Pilot expands after early success with LIFT
We first rolled out TriMet NEXT in April to our LIFT paratransit riders, who have access to a larger service area. In the first month, they gave the service a 100% satisfaction rating. Then in mid-May, we opened the service in south Gresham, to riders who are 65 and older or have a disability and are not currently registered for LIFT.
TriMet has two bus lines that serve south Gresham neighborhoods on weekdays, with buses running during the busiest service hours of the morning and afternoon. TriMet NEXT helps bridge the gaps, greatly expanding opportunities to access transit throughout the day, on weekends and holidays!
TriMet NEXT makes same-day transit service available to some of our most vulnerable riders, for the first time. Whereas LIFT paratransit trips must be booked at least a day in advance, TriMet NEXT provides the freedom to get around the community on your schedule. With TriMet NEXT, running around town is not only safe and affordable; it is more convenient than ever.
“This is the end of my dream. We have same-day service now.” said TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation (CAT) Chair, Jan Campbell. “And it’s not just that the service is accessible, it’s also equitable.”
TriMet NEXT buses are accessible vehicles with space for multiple mobility devices and up to six additional riders. Operators help secure mobility devices, when needed.
Share your feedback and help us improve!
TriMet is always looking for ways to better serve our riders, and we want to hear about your experience with TriMet NEXT. You can leave comments in the app, or contact the TriMet Customer Service team at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or trimet.org/hello.
We will be making adjustments to improve service throughout the pilot project based on public feedback. If the program’s success continues as we expect, we will be looking for additional areas to roll out TriMet NEXT.
