With continuing investments in safety and security, cleanliness, service improvements, system reliability, workforce development and climate action, TriMet looks to sustain and grow ridership into the future

As we head into our next budget year, TriMet is thinking big for our agency and our region. We’ve put a priority on ridership and getting more people on board our buses and trains. Why? Because the more people ride, the more our region benefits. Whether it is better access to schools, jobs and healthcare; helping to ease traffic congestion or doing your part for the environment, this is bigger than transit alone. It’s about connecting people with opportunities and making our communities and the Portland region a better place to live. We need you on board to make it happen. 

Our proposed, $1.75 billion budget for the 2025 Fiscal Year provides the financial framework to grow ridership, improve the customer experience and add service, as staffing allows. It includes nearly $849 million for daily operations; $201 million for capital investments; and about $58 million in pass-through and contingency funds. It also includes $642 million in ending fund balance totals, which are unappropriated and unavailable for spending in FY25. TriMet’s FY25 fiscal year begins on July 1, 2024, and runs through June 30, 2025.

TriMet’s mission – our purpose –  is to connect people with transportation that is safe, clean, convenient, reliable, accessible and welcoming for all. A robust transit system that is well-used by the community supports our regional climate action goals, helps ease congestion, improves freight movement and supports the economy. But most of all, it increases access to opportunities throughout our region. 

What’s inside our FY25 budget? A lot more for you.

The proposed budget continues investments that are critical to improving the experience of every rider who uses our transit system, so they’ll feel comfortable and confident each time they come on board.

Transit Service

As Oregon’s largest public transportation provider, our proposed FY25 budget focuses on providing exceptional transit service and proposes service improvements guided by our Forward Together service concept. In addition to continuing to run a robust network of buses and trains across our 533-square mile service district, in FY25, we would like to:

• Add four new Frequent Service bus lines.
• Add new bus lines in East Portland, Sellwood and West Linn.
• Extend service in East Multnomah County and I-205 between Tualatin and Oregon City.
• Add more buses to well-used lines that do not currently have Frequent Service.
• Continue to streamline routes and discontinue service with less ridership and demand.  

TriMet’s service improvement and expansion plans must be supported by the appropriate staffing levels to be successful and sustainable. Hiring and training additional operators and maintenance staff will continue to be an important emphasis in FY25, as will efforts to increase retention of both new and long-time employees. 

In addition to their focus on the safe operation of vehicles, the maintenance team also heads up a key initiative to increasing ridership, and that’s the cleanliness of our buses, trains and the overall transit system. The FY25 budget includes more resources for ongoing spot cleaning, deep cleaning, graffiti cleanup and aesthetic repairs that make the system feel more desirable and welcoming overall.

Safety & Security

Safety & Security remains a priority in FY25. TriMet more than doubled the number of security personnel on our transit system in the last year, as we continue to adopt a comprehensive and layered approach to safety and security. Today, there are more than 350 unarmed security personnel providing presence, assistance and resources to riders – more than ever before. Among them, is our innovative Safety Response Team, whose members carry Narcan, a life-saving, FDA-approved nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The Safety Response Team, increased personnel and a number of other efforts were the result of our Reimagining Public Safety on Transit initiatives, which grew out of the social justice movement of 2020. In addition to the increased presence on board our buses and trains and across our transit system, TriMet has established a Safety Operations Center, which helps coordinate our response to non-emergency security concerns that occur on our system. Riders can reach the team 24 hours per day by texting or calling 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or by using the security button on our homepage, trimet.org. 

Capital investments

Our capital projects are focused on making our transit system safe, comfortable, reliable and convenient. We’ll complete A Better Red in FY25. That’s a project that brought over $100 million in federal investments to our region, creating jobs and modernizing our light rail system to create a better experience for all riders. The project, set for completion in late August, has already improved train movement at key sections of the system near Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center. It will also extend the MAX Red Line an additional 10 stations into Hillsboro, helping to provide more capacity in a growing job center of Washington County. We’re also replacing our oldest light rail vehicles with our new Type 6 models, expanding the SE Park Avenue Park & Ride as originally planned and developing our Columbia Operations Facility, which is pivotal for testing and expansion of our Zero-Emissions Bus Program.

Climate action

In response to global warming and the ongoing climate crisis, we are continuing our transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet, with the expansion of electric bus charging infrastructure at our Merlo and Powell Operations facilities. We currently have buses arriving from our first bulk purchase of 24 battery-electric buses (BEBs). When the delivery is complete, TriMet will have 34 BEBs operating throughout our transit system, making up about 5% of our total bus fleet. In FY25, TriMet will continue to build capacity for our goal to transition to a full zero-emissions fixed-route fleet by 2040. 

Understanding our funding

TriMet’s FY25 is estimated at 1.75 billion. About 91% of funding for FY25 operating resources comes from three sources: payroll tax revenues, passenger revenues and federal funds. For FY25, TriMet expects to receive about $540 million in payroll taxes; $62 million in passenger fares; and about $139 million from federal operating grants. We also receive a small portion of our funding from accessible transportation and service contracts and advertising. The FY25 budget includes the first full year of revenues from our 2024 fare increase.

Let us know what you think!

We want to hear your thoughts on the proposed budget. We’ll be accepting comments and feedback through Wednesday, March 27, online and through our Customer Service channels including phone and text at 503-238-74333 (RIDE) as well as X (formerly known as Twitter) at @trimethelp. The public can also provide testimony at upcoming TriMet Board Meetings on March 27, April 24 and May 22. The Board is scheduled to consider adopting the budget at the May meeting. TriMet must adopt a Final Budget by July 1, to stay in compliance with Oregon Budget Law and to begin spending funds allocated for FY25.

Monday, March 4, marks the opening of the Gateway North MAX station and end to major construction between Gateway and PDX

The Gateway Transit Center reopened to MAX trains Monday, March 4, with its first expansion in nearly 40 years. Community leaders were on hand, not just to celebrate the end of a weeks-long disruption to the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines, but also the conclusion of a major milestone in a multi-phased MAX reliability project that began two and half years ago.

Joining TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. Monday were Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson and Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold.

The opening-day celebration marks yet another step toward completing the A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project.

Thanks to A Better Red, MAX Red Line trains are now traveling on a double set of tracks between the Gateway area and Portland International Airport. This improves reliability across the entire MAX system. Red Line trains heading to Downtown Portland and farther west now have a faster, more efficient route and serve a new station, Gateway North.

“The new station allows for more efficient travel from PDX to Downtown Portland. That is important as we look to the future and revitalizing our region’s economy,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “During this pivotal time in our city’s history, investments in infrastructure projects — such as A Better Red — and attracting events and visitors will improve our economy, combat climate change, promote equity, and connect people to jobs, services, venues and opportunity.”

“TriMet’s improvements to the MAX Red Line, including the opening of the new Gateway North MAX Station, are an important step to ensuring Portland has a world-class public transportation system,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “This project not only contributes to our city’s economic resiliency but will also significantly broaden residents’ access to employment and essential services, reinforcing our dedication to creating a more connected, equitable, and thriving city for all Portlanders.” 

“I’m proud of the partnership we have with TriMet, as investments in public transit is an investment in climate action,” City Commissioner Carmen Rubio said. “Investments like A Better Red and TriMet’s other transit-oriented development work demonstrates a shared commitment with the city to sustainability that addresses both our climate and housing crises.”

Building strong connections

The Gateway Transit Center is where the A Better Red project kicked off with a groundbreaking near where the pedestrian path is now located. The project that followed has been made possible through a $99.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and financial support from local partners.

Metro allocated nearly $9 million in formula-federal funds to the project, and the Port of Portland provided another $2.3 million. Altogether, federal and local partners contributed about half of the overall cost of the project.

“The A Better Red project is an important step forward in making our transportation system safer, easier to use and more reliable,” Metro President Lynn Peterson said. “Extending the Red Line further into Washington County (later this summer) means more travel options for commuters on the west side, cutting travel times throughout the Tualatin Valley. And it improves access to important destinations like downtown Portland, the Oregon Convention Center, the Oregon Zoo and Portland’s Centers for the Arts.”

A Better Red has been TriMet’s largest MAX construction project since the MAX Orange Line and Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, opened in 2015. Due to its scope, the MAX Red Line project required years of planning, coordination and construction to execute on existing rail lines and across busy freeways.

With ODOT’s support, TriMet was able to build new bridges over I-84. Three partial closures of I-84 were necessary to put the bridge spans in place. This was critical to the success of the project. We appreciate drivers’ patience during these brief closures.

TriMet appreciates our partnership with the Port of Portland, which made last summer’s 126-day shutdown–our longest ever–possible. During that phase of the project, crews added roughly half a mile of new track and rebuilt the Portland International Airport MAX Station to accommodate the new track. We again thank those who were heading to and from the airport during that time, such as airport employees, for putting up with those challenges for four months.

“Today’s opening makes it easier for people to get in and out of PDX quickly,” Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold said. “The MAX Red Line improvements are going to bring more accessible, efficient transit to everyone who lives in and visits our region.”

Moving people

The re-opening of the Gateway Transit Center and grand opening of Gateway North mark the end of major construction of A Better Red on the east side. Since the project broke ground began in fall 2021, crews had been working on a series of major changes between Gateway and Portland International Airport, a stretch of the MAX system that is now more than two decades old.

A partial list of improvements made over the past two years include:

• Adding new track and systems in the Gateway area
• Building new bridges over I-84 and existing tracks to carry trains, pedestrians and cyclists. (The pedestrian and cyclist portion of the bridges will open later this spring.)

• Constructing the Gateway North MAX Station
• Creating a pedestrian path connecting Gateway North to the main Gateway Transit Center
• Adding a half mile of new track near Portland International Airport

• Rebuilding and improving the Portland International Airport MAX Station to accommodate the new track
• Creating a new pathway to Gateway Green, the nearby park popular with cyclists

With the MAX Blue and Green lines also shut down since Jan. 21, crews also made improvements to the MAX system that runs along I-84, modernizing and replacing older equipment.

We’re also excited to see improvements to the new pathway to Gateway Green, the nearby park popular with cyclists. It will open this summer. We appreciate the partnership with Portland Parks and Recreation, Friends of Gateway Green and the Northwest Trail Alliance, as impacts were necessary for A Better Red and a better Gateway Green.

Final disruption approaches — March 16-24

One more planned disruption for the A Better Red project is scheduled for the MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro from Saturday, March 16, through Sunday, March 24.

The disruption is needed to extend the MAX Red Line 10 stations from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, which we expect to open in late August. With most of the construction on the west side completed, crews will use the disruption to finish signal work.

The disruption will be limited to the MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro. For all other lines, trains will be running on their regular schedules and continue serving all of their stations. TriMet will have On-Street Customer Service personnel and other staff available to help riders make their connections during the disruption.

A Better Red

We look forward to the full completion of A Better Red with extended MAX Red Line service this summer. It will mean even more people will have a one-seat ride to the airport and increase MAX service for those living on the west side.

Partnerships have been key to the project’s success, and there is no greater partnership than with our riders. A Better Red would not be possible without them! Thank you for your patience as we’ve moved forward on these critical improvements to our rail system to help more people ride. Every time someone leaves their car at home for a shared ride on transit, it’s better for our environment and our community. For more about A Better Red, go to trimet.org/betterred

TriMet has named two new members to the executive leadership team: Dan Blair is the Executive Director of the agency’s newly developed Transit Systems and Asset Support Division and John Weston is the new Executive Director of Maintenance Operations, the position that Blair had been serving in an interim capacity since early 2023. Both executives will report directly to TriMet Chief Operating Officer, Bonnie Todd, and serve critical maintenance functions, directing activities around the management of TriMet’s vehicles, facilities, systems, assets and training. 

Experience drives the selection of Executive Director of Maintenance

John Weston comes to TriMet with nearly 40 years of experience in the transit industry, including extensive work on and management of systems in Washington, D.C., Miami and Seattle. Most recently, Weston served as Corridor Operations Director for Sound Transit.

“John has held a number of impressive maintenance, safety, quality assurance and construction management roles over the course of his career,” said TriMet Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Todd. “TriMet, our riders and our employees will benefit from his extensive knowledge and skills to keep our vehicles rolling and our system in a state of good repair.”

Weston will direct and oversee TriMet’s Maintenance Operations Division, which is responsible for the maintenance, repair and management of TriMet’s buses, light rail vehicles, track, buildings, transit station facilities and non-revenue vehicles. 

His first role in transit was as a union mechanic, working in rail power distribution. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland. 

New division gets leader with proven TriMet track record

Dan Blair has been growing his career with TriMet for the last 30 years. Dan started out as a Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) apprentice mechanic and graduated from TriMet’s esteemed apprenticeship program. He served as Director of Rail Equipment Maintenance before being asked to take the interim Executive Director of Maintenance position in March 2023. In naming Blair to the Executive Director role of the newly created Transit Systems Asset Support Division, COO Bonnie Todd noted his expertise and in-depth knowledge of the agency, as well as his enthusiasm and personal style. 

“In addition to his technical ability, experience in management and extensive knowledge of TriMet, Dan brings a sense of humor, great leadership abilities, and a no-nonsense approach to his work,” offered Todd. “As we work to increase ridership, Dan’s skills will be invaluable to elevate TriMet’s role in our community.” 

The Transit System and Asset Support group that Blair will direct and oversee, was established in 2023 as a new division at TriMet. It is focused on maintenance and document control, asset management, key performance indicators, zero-emissions program training and more. Blair will serve as the division’s first dedicated full-time executive director. 

Blair also served in the U.S. Marine Reserves, where he was trained as a helicopter mechanic. 

Blair and Weston were selected following a nationwide search. They are already beginning to transition to their new roles.

MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro to be disrupted March 16-24 for signal system upgrades

Construction of TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project is nearing the end of the line in more ways than one.

The final planned disruption for the multi-year project will take place from Saturday, March 16, through Sunday, March 24, along a stretch of the MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro. Shuttle buses will serve closed stations between Orenco Station and Hatfield Government Center. This will allow crews to finish signal work in and around the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station, what will become the new end of the line for MAX Red Line trains beginning this summer.

The disruption is essential to the 10-station extension of the MAX Red Line from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, opening in late August. We will complete the Hillsboro signal work this spring to provide time for operator training and to complete finishing touches on the project prior to the extension’s opening.

The upcoming March disruption will be limited to the MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro. For all other lines, trains will be running on their regular schedules and continue serving all of their stations. TriMet will have On-Street Customer Service personnel and other staff available to help riders make their connections during the disruption.

Help getting around

We want to help you get around this nine-day disruption with ease. Not only will TriMet staff be available at closed stations to answer questions, we will also have signs up directing you to shuttle bus stops. Now is also a good time to start thinking ahead. We encourage you to plan up to an extra 30 minutes for your trips.

You can use our trip-planning tool on trimet.org now for travel times and details. Remember to use a date between March 16-24. We also suggest you go to trimet.org/email to create an account and sign up for alerts. (Make sure to sign up for MAX Blue Line for reminders about this upcoming disruption, but all bus and MAX lines are available to match how you travel.)

You can reach out to 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 you can drop us a direct message on X (formerly Twitter) at @trimethelp. You can also check out our page dedicated to planned improvements projects: trimet.org/hillsboro.

A Better Red

This is a big year for A Better Red. It’s when all the improvements come together, concluding with extended MAX Red Line service to Hillsboro. For that to happen, we have to finish two major portions of the project. We’re almost there!

First, construction at the Gateway Transit Center is completing a major redesign of the track and systems, resulting in the new Gateway North MAX Station and improved train reliability. Regular MAX service returns on Monday, March 4, with the opening of the new station.

Finally, the March work in Hillsboro will complete the signals work needed for the MAX Red Line extension. We want to thank our riders for their patience. A Better Red is our biggest MAX project since the MAX Orange Line opened in 2015. In some ways, it’s even more complicated, as much of the construction has had to take place within our existing trackway. We appreciate our riders’ understanding as we work to bring the project to a close.

Constructing connections

The March MAX Blue Line disruption will primarily involve making signal improvements to accommodate our service extension. Think of it as the way our trains communicate with the system at large, and how they’re given priority through different areas, allowing operators, rail controllers and our automated systems to manage train movement.

Most of the physical infrastructure for the A Better Red extension was already built and installed during a previous disruption in 2022, making this the final shutdown necessary to connect and upgrade our systems and create a new end of the line for MAX Red Line trains. Because this part of the light rail system dates back to the 1990s, crews will be replacing the equipment from that era with more current and advanced technology.

The Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station has evolved in several ways over the past two years of the project. In November 2022, we began making changes to the track and finishing the operator walkway. At the same time, crews replaced wooden ties with new ones. They also installed six new rail switch machines and replaced older parts of the track, particularly where the rails cross, with ones that are better suited to our expanded operations. Much of the work has taken place without the need to disrupt service, including the construction of a new operator facility and a walkway between the facility and the pocket track, or the place where trains will turn back and will be temporarily parked when operators are on break. All of this will serve our riders and operators better once the extended MAX Red Line opens this summer.

For more information on A Better Red and how it will make transit better, visit trimet.org/betterred.  

Use your contactless bank card, mobile wallet or smartwatch to purchase Adult fare and earn a Month Pass as you ride!

TriMet is always looking for ways to make riding our transit system faster, easier and more convenient. And we’re excited to let you know about our newest innovation— one that saves you time, stress and possibly money!

First, did you know you can use your personal credit or debit card (NFC-enabled) to purchase Adult fare at any of our 1,000 Hop readers? The same with your mobile wallet or smartwatch. Skip the ticket vending machine and just tap your phone at the Hop reader. It’s that easy!

And now, when you use your contactless bank card, mobile wallet or smartwatch to pay your fare—and ride regularly— you’ll automatically get the main benefit of a Hop Fastpass® card: earning a Month Pass as you ride, with free rides after you reach $100.

With Hop, you’ll never pay more than the cost of a Day Pass in a single day and never pay more than the cost of a Month Pass in a single month. Just make sure you always tap with the same card – whether a physical payment card, a card stored in your mobile wallet, a device such as a smartwatch or your Hop card.

How to use your bank card, phone or smartwatch to purchase fare at the Hop reader

Your contactless bank card, phone or smartwatch can be used to purchase Adult fare – not only at ticket machines on rail platforms– but also at the green Hop readers. If your card has an NFC symbol – that’s four curved lines that get bigger from left to right – then you can use it to pay at a Hop reader. Find a Hop reader next to the fare box when you step on board a bus or when you board a Portland Streetcar. Hop readers are located at the entrance to your MAX or WES station. There are two Hop readers at each station, one at each end. Currently, this option is available to purchase Adult fare.

Simply touch the card to the NFC symbol on the Hop reader. The NFC symbol is located below the Hop display screen. Listen for the tone as the Hop reader confirms your purchase. It will also display a green check mark and the time remaining on the valid fare. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

Prefer your mobile wallet, no problem!

You can also pay Adult fare using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Just tap your phone to the Hop reader each time you ride. Again, listen for the tone or look for the green check mark on the Hop reader screen to verify your payment.

Whether you pay with a contactless credit or debit card, mobile wallet or your Hop card, please keep your payment method close at hand. It is your proof of payment if one of our Customer Safety Supervisors asks to see your fare. 

Use the same card or device each time you ride and one per rider!

Use the same card or device every time you ride and ride more frequently to get the benefits of Hop. Tap your card or phone once to purchase a 2 ½-hour Adult ticket, and your card will show a charge for $2.80. Use the same card or device and tap to purchase fare again within the same day, and earn a Day Pass. Continue tapping to validate your fare with every ride, but you won’t be charged again that day. You’ll never pay more than $5.60 to use our buses and trains to get wherever you need to go, for the entire day.

Keep using the same card or device to purchase fare throughout the month, and watch your savings add up. After you’ve paid for your 18th-Day Pass within a calendar month, you’ll ride the rest of the month for free! Keep tapping with each ride to validate your fare, but don’t worry about getting charged. Hop does the math for you and ensures you’ll never pay more than you should.

When you’re paying with a contactless credit card, Hop links the rider to the card. So, each Adult rider must use their own card, phone or smartwatch. When you tap the card after the first 2 ½-hour ticket purchase, it will validate your fare and show you how much time is remaining, but you cannot purchase a separate fare with the same card or device.

Let your guests know that using a contactless credit card or their mobile wallet to ride is a great option for less frequent travelers too!

Are you heading to PDX for Spring Break or expecting out-of-town guests? Skip the ticket machine at the airport or any other MAX station. Instead, use your contactless credit card or mobile wallet and simply tap it to a Hop reader. Your tap is your ticket to ride.

Learn about TriMet fares

TriMet has reduced fares for Youth and Honored Citizen riders. Qualify automatically for Honored Citizen fare with age (65+) and enrollment in Medicare. Register to qualify based on disability, income or military status. Learn more about our fares here.

Since 2018, more than 60,000 people have signed up for our reduced Honored Citizen fare based on income, and we’ve expanded ways to qualify to include active duty military and veterans, as well as people 65+, on Medicare or experiencing a disability

Are you living on a low income? Serving in the U.S. military or a veteran in good standing? Are you 65 or older, on Medicare or experiencing a disability?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be riding TriMet for less — much less. That’s because you qualify for our Honored Citizen reduced fare.

For years, we’ve made this cost-saving benefit available to adults over 65, people on Medicare and those experiencing disabilities. Now we’re bringing even more people on board, with new options to help you sign up and save. Since 2018, we’ve invited people with low incomes to qualify to ride for less. Late last year, we expanded this benefit to another group of people: those with military service.

We’ve also made it easier to sign up for reduced fare, with a quick and easy process that you can complete in the privacy of your home. We believe everyone has a right to access transportation to connect with opportunities like work, school, healthcare and services. Why not give yourself a break and save big on your transportation costs? 

Honored Citizen fare: Reduce your transportation costs to no more than $28 per month

With TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare, you can ride our buses and trains as much as you want, at a fraction of the cost. With Honored Citizen fare, 2 ½ Hour tickets are $1.40 and Day Passes are $2.80. That’s half the cost of Adult fare, a significant savings, but you’ll save even more with Hop Fastpass®.

With Hop, you will never pay more than $28 per month for unlimited access to our transit services. That’s 72% less than Adult fare, or $72 off the cost of an Adult Month Pass, which is currently limited to $100 per month.

Here’s another way of looking at it: With Honored Citizen fare and Hop, you can ride TriMet anywhere in our service area for an entire month, for less than the cost of a single tank of gas.

More than 60k sign up for income-based reduced fare in five years

Since 2018, more than 60,000 people have signed up to receive TriMet’s reduced fare for riders who qualify based on income. You also qualify, if you earn less than 200% of the federal poverty rate. For an individual in 2024, that’s more than $30,000 per year. You are also eligible for reduced fare if you participate in a program such as Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Find a complete list of qualifying programs at trimet.org/income. 

While you’re there, go ahead and complete the short, online application for a reduced fare Hop card based on your income. Near the end of the application, you will see easy-to-follow guidelines for submitting a photo for your personalized Honored Citizen Hop card. TriMet will process the application and put your card in the mail. As soon as you have your card and load fare to your Hop account, you can start tapping, riding and saving.

Need your card sooner? Representatives at our Customer Support Center at Pioneer Courthouse Square can process your application, take your photo, print your card and help you load fare, all in one stop. The Customer Support Center is open Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Check trimet.org/income before you go, to make sure you have proper documentation.

Active-duty military, reservists and veterans qualify for Honored Citizen fare too!

In 2023, TriMet expanded enrollment options for our Honored Citizen reduced fare again, this time to allow active-duty members of the U.S. military, veterans and reservists to ride for less, in honor of their service. And now, we’ve also made it easier to sign up for the military benefit. Visit trimet.org/military to apply. The process is quick, easy and completely available online. Follow the instructions on the application to submit a photo and have your personalized Honored Citizen Hop card mailed to you. Or, come down to the Customer Support Center, and our staff can walk you through the process, take your picture and print your new Hop card. Please check the webpage to learn which documents to bring with you, before you head Downtown.

Get a month of free fare!

Need more incentive to get signed up? Enroll today, and TriMet will reward you with one month of free fare! Please note that the free month promotion is only valid for the month in which it is issued, to help encourage people to get their Honored Citizen reduced fare Hop card and start using it as well.

Older adults, people on Medicare and those experiencing disabilities can still ride for less

If you’re over the age of 65 or on Medicare, you automatically qualify for Honored Citizen fare. Older adults and Medicare recipients should have their I.D. or Medicare card with them when they ride. People who are experiencing a verifiable mental or physical disability may also use TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare. However, you must apply for and receive a personalized photo I.D. Hop card. Learn more about the process at trimet.org/disability.

Find additional details about our fares and our Hop Fastpass electronic fare system at trimet.org/fares.