With construction now fully underway, the disruption will last for the next six weeks, with MAX service reopening on March 4

The region’s weeklong dangerous and destructive winter storm has shifted the timeline for the MAX disruption necessary for TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project.

The disruption to the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines is now underway. With the shifted schedule in place, we plan to return the lines to regular service on Monday, March 4.

The new completion date gives crews the time they need to finish vital work on A Better Red around the Gateway Transit Center, as well as make improvements to the MAX system along Interstate 84 and elsewhere. Completing all of these projects will help prevent the need for further disruptions in the immediate future.  

Safety comes first in emergencies

We know riders and people across the region have been through a challenging week, and we appreciate their understanding as we transitioned our transit system from emergency weather operations to the planned A Better Red disruption on Sunday, Jan. 21. This came after restoring MAX service system wide, except on the MAX Red Line, on Saturday, Jan. 20, following the unrelenting cold and bouts of snow, high winds and ice. Our focus was on the safety of our riders, employees and equipment during the extreme conditions, as well as keeping as much transit service moving as possible and restoring service that had to be suspended.

Power outages, downed trees, packed ice and frigid temperatures created many challenges, and our crews sprang into action, working around the clock to tackle issues as they emerged. We enlisted the help of staff from nearly ten contractors who had been standing by for the Better Red project work to begin. They quickly shifted to assist our employees with our recovery efforts, especially on the MAX system. They helped remove snow and ice from trackways, rail crossings and platforms, as well as downed trees and make repairs to our overhead wire system that was damaged on the west side. 

While we had to pause major portions of the project, some crews were actually able to get a bit of the construction underway during the storm, including some work on the new track and station just north of Gateway Transit Center, but, understandably, the conditions weren’t the best for that type of work.  

With the storm finally past, TriMet’s focus can now be on the future—improving our riders’ overall experience by relieving a chokepoint in our system. This will have positive impacts across the entire MAX system and allow us to grow our light rail network in the future.

Getting around the disruption

With major construction on A Better Red having resumed, our top focus is on getting you around the disruption. We are running shuttle buses to replace light rail service on the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Trips will take longer, and in some cases regular bus service may be faster. Our trip-planning tool—trimet.org/planner—will give you the fastest route from point A to point B during the disruption. But in many cases, transferring to shuttle buses will be necessary. Please consider other transportation if traveling through the disrupted area, if possible.

Here’s what you need to know:

• MAX Blue Line: The Blue Line will be split into two sections. Trains will operate between Hatfield Government Center in Hillsboro and NE 7th Ave in Portland as well as between E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave in Gresham. Shuttle buses will serve stations  between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave.
• MAX Green Line: Green Line trains will only travel between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and SE Main St. Shuttle buses will run directly between SE Main St and Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, those continuing west toward Downtown Portland will need to transfer to Blue Line shuttle buses heading to NE 7th Ave. In Downtown Portland, there will be no Green Line trains running. Use MAX Orange and Yellow lines or regular bus service along the Transit Mall on 5th and 6th avenues.
• MAX Red Line: Red Line service will not operate during the disruption. Use the MAX Blue Line between Beaverton Transit Center and NE 7th Ave and shuttle buses between NE 7th Ave and Gateway Transit Center. For trips to and from the airport, a Red Line shuttle bus will run between Gateway and PDX, serving the three stations along the way.
• MAX Orange and Yellow lines: MAX Orange and Yellow line service will not be affected by the project, and trains will operate on regular schedules.

 A Better Red

A Better Red is TriMet’s multi-year project to extend the MAX Red Line west to Hillsboro and improve train movement through the Gateway Transit Center and at Portland International Airport. Despite the recent weather challenges, the project remains on schedule to be fully completed this summer. As one of the largest civil construction projects in Oregon, work cannot be limited to the summer months without significant increases to both its cost and schedule.

Improvements have been happening to the MAX Red Line as we make progress on the project that kicked off in the fall of 2021. Last summer, crews added a second track near Portland International Airport and rebuilt the MAX station there. These enhancements opened in October, following 126 days of construction. Upon completion of the current disruption, Red Line riders will experience a new inbound-only MAX station, dubbed Gateway North, along with new track and bridges to speed-up travel. The final phase of the project will be the Red Line extension ten stations west to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, which will open in August 2024. We thank our riders for their patience during the different stages of construction. Not only will the project improve the MAX Red Line, it will increase reliability across the entire MAX system. For more information, go to trimet.org/bettered.

Open houses will be held Jan. 25-Feb. 1, with public input welcomed

***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***

At TriMet, we’re continuing to redraw our bus service map in 2024 — and we need your help.

This spring, we will be putting the finishing touches on a plan to run more frequent buses along routes where we see high demand, extend service hours and days on multiple bus lines, adjust schedules to keep buses on time, and more. You’ll start seeing some of those improvements on Aug. 25, 2024.

It’s the next piece in our Forward Together service concept, which will guide our bus service improvements over the coming years.

Our goal with Forward Together is to increase ridership and expand and improve service and connections for people with low and limited incomes.

To accomplish that goal, we’re counting on feedback from our riders. We’ve already made changes to our earlier proposals based on public input and available staffing. Once more, heading into Forward Together planning for 2024-25, we want to hear from you.

Open houses

Make your voice heard at one of TriMet’s upcoming open houses.

We’ll share the details of our proposed service changes for 2024 and 2025, and TriMet representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Attendees will be able to submit their input as well.

Open house dates

• Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5-6 p.m. on Zoom. This virtual open house will be held in English and Spanish.
• Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 4-6 p.m. in the Tualatin Public Library Community Room, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave. in Tualatin. This in-person open house will include information in multiple languages.
• Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 5-7 p.m. in the Portland Community College Rock Creek Event Center, Building 9, 17705 NW Springville Road in Bethany. This in-person open house will include information in multiple languages.
• Thursday, Feb. 1, from noon-2 p.m. in the University of Oregon White Stag Block, Rooms 142/144, 70 NW Couch St. in Portland. This in-person open house will be held in English and Spanish.

After the open houses, we’ll gather up the feedback we’ve received and use it to help shape the final version of our service plan for the year.

Submit your comments

Can’t make it to an open house? Not to worry — we still want to hear from you.

Have your say in TriMet’s Forward Together planning process by submitting your comments at trimet.org/plan. You can also give us a call at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) and share your thoughts on our proposed bus service.

Our public comment period on this round of Forward Together service improvements ends Sunday, Feb. 11. If you’d like to provide feedback on the plan, be sure to do so by then, to ensure what you have to say is considered as we wrap up our service plan.

We’ll present the results of our public outreach to the TriMet Board of Directors in March. A vote on the final service changes will likely take place in May. That will clear the way for new and improved bus service to begin as soon as August this year, if operator staffing allows.

Improving service

TriMet is proposing changes to 24 bus lines in the next round of our Forward Together service improvements, as well as three new bus lines to better serve riders.

More frequent buses

Three of our most popular bus lines would be upgraded to Frequent Service, meaning buses will arrive every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day:

• Line 52-Farmington/185th
• Line 77-Broadway/Halsey
• Line 87-Airport Way/181st

Those aren’t the only bus lines we plan to upgrade. Some lines would have their routes extended, so they serve significantly more stops. Additionally, some lines would see buses arrive more often. Lines to be upgraded include, but are not limited to:

• Line 17-Holgate/Broadway
• Line 24-Fremont/NW 18th
• Line 29-Lake/Webster Rd
• Line 67-Bethany/158th
• Line 81-Kane/257th

Replacing bus lines

With Forward Together, we’re taking a look at our entire bus system and figuring out how to serve our riders in the most efficient, most equitable way we can. That means some riders will see new line numbers on their routes, either because we’re introducing a brand-new bus line or we’re changing which lines serve their stop.

Under our proposal, the following line numbers would be retired and replaced with new service:

• Line 21-Sandy Blvd/223rd
• Line 80-Kane/Troutdale Rd
• Line 85-Swan Island
• Line 99-Macadam/McLoughlin
• Line 154-Willamette/Clackamas Heights

Skidmore Fountain MAX Station

Along with these bus service improvements slated to begin as soon as August 2024, TriMet is also considering a plan to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station in September 2025. Attendees can learn more about this proposal at the open houses and comment on it as well.

Find more details on all of the proposals and learn more at trimet.org/plan and trimet.org/maxdowntown.

Your ideas matter

Public input has consistently helped to shape TriMet’s Forward Together service concept.

TriMet incorporated feedback we received after we first unveiled Forward Together in 2022, which was reflected in our first round of service improvements last year.

That feedback has also influenced our planned second round of improvements in 2024-25.

TriMet is hiring!

Forward Together is a years-long overhaul of TriMet’s bus service.

Over the course of this project, our goal is to increase ridership, improve connections and expand bus service throughout the region. We want to provide better service for communities of need, add service in emerging neighborhoods and employment areas, and increase the frequency of buses in areas where we see high demand.

To add bus service, however, we need to have operators to drive those buses, and maintenance workers to keep them on the road.

Limited staffing has forced us to slow the pace of our service improvements. We had hoped to roll out some of the upgrades we’ve proposed for August sooner, but we delayed them due to our operator shortage.

You can help! Visit trimet.org/careers to learn about opportunities at TriMet. We are offering $7,500 hiring bonuses for bus operators, including part-time positions, and $2,500 hiring bonuses for mechanics and maintainers, along with great benefits and competitive salaries. Together, we can keep the tri-county area moving.

Note: Due to extreme winter weather in January 2024, the completion date for the project shifted. The following media release has been edited to reflect that change.

Riders can plan ahead now, as MAX Blue, Green and Red line trains will return to regular service on Monday, March 4

Construction on TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project will close the Gateway Transit Center to MAX trains for six weeks. With the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines impacted, shuttle buses will serve closed stations through the end of the disruption on March 3, with regular service returning on March 4. TriMet will also use this opportunity to perform reliability improvements to the MAX system along Interstate 84 and just east of the transit center.

MAX Blue and Green line service will be disrupted for the duration of the project. MAX Red Line service will be temporarily suspended. That means no MAX Red Line service from mid-January and through February. Riders should consider other transportation options during the disruption, if possible, including TriMet’s regular bus service.

What riders need to know               

• MAX Blue Line: The Blue Line will be split into two sections. Trains will operate between Hatfield Govt. Center in Hillsboro and NE 7th Ave in Portland as well as between E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave in Gresham. Shuttle buses will replace trains between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave.
• MAX Green Line: Green Line trains will only travel between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and SE Main St. Shuttle buses for the Green Line will take riders between SE Main St and Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, riders continuing west toward Downtown Portland will need to board shuttle buses heading to NE 7th Ave. In Downtown Portland, there will be no Green Line trains running, so riders should use MAX Orange and Yellow lines or regular bus service along the Transit Mall on 5th and 6th avenues.
• MAX Red Line: Red Line service will not operate during the disruption. Riders can still use the MAX Blue Line for trips between Beaverton Transit Center and NE 7th Ave and shuttle buses for trips between NE 7th Ave and Gateway Transit Center. For trips to and from the airport, shuttle buses will run between Gateway and PDX, and they will serve all stations along the way.
• MAX Orange and Yellow lines: MAX Orange and Yellow line service will not be affected by the project, and trains will operate on regular schedules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4igjRBdREc

We are grateful for your continued patience and cooperation as we work on this critical phase of construction. When regular MAX service resumes on March 4, there will be a new MAX Red Line station called Gateway North serving inbound Red Line riders. Red Line trains will use the new bridges and track that construction crews have spent more than two years building. Adding this new station at Gateway will improve train movement at this busy connection point for three MAX lines, enhancing reliability across the entire system by reducing delays and making trips from the airport into Downtown Portland more efficient.

Tips for riding

• Consider using alternative modes of transportation during the project. As much as we want to welcome you on board, we expect shuttle buses to be more crowded during this phase of the project.
• Consider using regular bus service. You can easily plan your trip and track your bus at trimet.org.
• Plan at least an extra 60 minutes for your trips.
• Follow us on social media. We have several social media accounts that can keep you informed with the latest developments, news and service information. Follow us on Instagram, @TriMet on X (formerly Twitter) and on Facebook. We also post timely service information on X @trimetalerts, and you can even message your questions to @trimethelp.
• Sign up to receive Service Alerts and information about A Better Red sent directly to your phone or email at trimet.org/email.
• Bus lines serving the Gateway Transit Center and stops near MAX lines will likely see increased ridership during the disruption. While buses may be fuller than you’re used to, please remember to make the priority seating area available to seniors and people with disabilities.

Better Red – building progress

Disruptions are sometimes necessary for large-scale projects, as they give crews the room needed to work safely and around the clock. Construction of TriMet’s A Better Red project began in 2021 with the goal of delivering important track improvements between the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport, as well as extending the Red Line into Hillsboro. These will improve reliability on the MAX Red Line, while helping keep trains running on time throughout the entire MAX light rail system.

The project has been made possible thanks to a $99.9 million construction grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is covering a substantial portion of the approximately $215 million cost. With Better Red now 85% complete, it has delivered on its promise of investing in workforce development and transportation improvements that will contribute to the region’s carbon emissions goals.

Through 2023, more than 406,000 work-hours have been spent on construction activities, making A Better Red among Oregon’s largest civil construction project currently and TriMet’s most substantial light rail project since the MAX Orange Line opened in 2015. Over the course of more than two years, 400 tons of new rail have been installed along with 4,400 new concrete ties, all of which have been procured within the United States.

Since getting underway, the project has reshaped the MAX Red Line, with new bridges fortified over I-84 by 1.3 million pounds of structural steel and 63,000 square feet of retaining walls constructed. Riders are already enjoying new features, including the updated Portland International Airport MAX Station and the second track installed near it.

The multi-year project remains on schedule, with the extension to Hillsboro opening in late August 2024. For more information on the project, visit trimet.org/bettered.

Free rides are back from 8 p.m. Dec. 31 through 3 a.m. Jan. 1, and MAX hours will be extended

Planning to be out and about this New Year’s Eve? Ride for free with TriMet!

Hop on MAX and TriMet buses and ride for free Sunday, Dec. 31, starting at 8 p.m., through Monday, Jan. 1, at 3 a.m. Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN, TriMet’s transit partners, are also lifting fares on New Year’s Eve.

Traffic fatalities in Portland reached a record high in 2023, and we know the risk of crashes is higher on holidays like New Year’s Eve. TriMet is proud to continue our long-running tradition of free rides on the last night of the year. Don’t drink and drive — count on TriMet to get you to and from your destination.

Check trimet.org for the latest route information and to plan your trip.

Ride on MAX

Staying up late to ring in the New Year? So is MAX! We’re extending service hours on MAX light rail into the early morning of Jan. 1, 2024.

• The MAX Blue Line will operate about three hours later than usual for Sunday service, with the last westbound train leaving the Cleveland Ave MAX Station at 1:57 a.m. and the last eastbound train leaving the Hatfield Government Center MAX Station at 1:31 a.m.
• The MAX Green Line will operate about two hours later than usual, with the last westbound train leaving the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center at 2:12 a.m. and the last eastbound train leaving the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station at 2:18 a.m.
• The MAX Orange Line will also operate about two hours later than usual, with the last northbound train leaving the SE Park Ave MAX Station at 1:56 a.m. and the last southbound train leaving the Pioneer Place/SW 5th Ave MAX Station at 2:02 a.m.
• The MAX Yellow Line will also operate about two hours later than usual, with the last northbound train leaving the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station at 2:27 a.m. and the last southbound train leaving the Expo Center MAX Station at 1:32 a.m.
• The MAX Red Line will operate about an hour and a half later than usual, with the last westbound train leaving the Portland International Airport MAX Station at 1:56 a.m. and the last eastbound train leaving the Beaverton Transit Center at 12:20 a.m.

Remember, you can always check trimet.org to find train arrival times at each station, plan your trip and track your train.

Go by bus

TriMet buses will follow Sunday schedules on New Year’s Eve. Bus lines that do not typically run on Sunday will not be operating.

Be sure to check trimet.org for your bus line’s schedule. You can also plan your trip, complete with connections to MAX, Portland Streetcar and other bus lines, and track your bus as it approaches your stop.

Stay safe

Our Customer Safety Supervisors will be working throughout the system to keep riders and operators safe on New Year’s Eve.

With more people expected to be traveling on New Year’s Eve, we encourage everyone to:

• Be alert and pay attention around buses and trains.
• Put away your devices and look both ways whenever crossing the street or tracks.
• Be respectful of operators and other riders.
• Check your surroundings for personal items before getting on or off a TriMet vehicle.
• Report any unwanted behavior or disruptive conduct.

We’ve made it easier to report security concerns 24 hours a day. For non-urgent matters, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or submit a report through the “security” button on trimet.org.

If you see something suspicious or dangerous while traveling, say something to a TriMet employee or call 911.

Plan ahead

For decades, TriMet has offered free rides to support safe, responsible celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Our goal is to help everyone get around the Portland metro area safely and start 2024 right.

Plan ahead by visiting trimet.org. You can find multiple options for how to get where you’re going, identify the way you want to go, and even print or save a link to your trip plan so you can refer back to it later. We’ll highlight each step along the way, so you can be sure you’ll know how to get there. And if you’re traveling after midnight, remember to set the date for Jan. 1, 2024!

Our web app also lets you track your train or bus in real time.

New Year’s Day service

New Year’s Day falls on a Monday. However, due to the holiday, MAX and bus lines will be operating on their Sunday schedules Monday, Jan. 1. Bus lines that do not run Sunday will not be operating. WES commuter rail also won’t be in service.

TriMet’s Customer Support Center at Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Lost & Found at the TriMet Operations Headquarters on SE 17^th Avenue will be closed on New Year’s Day. Both will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 2.

For more information, visit trimet.org/holidays.

Note: Due to extreme winter weather in January 2024, the completion date for the project shifted. The following media release has been edited to reflect that change.

Some MAX riders encouraged to use other transportation as contractors finish construction at the Gateway Transit Center and perform additional improvements

TriMet is preparing to put the finishing touches on our A Better Red construction at the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center, capping off a major part of a project that broke ground in September 2021. To reach this milestone, the Gateway Transit Center will be closed to trains. During that time, crews will connect the new track and systems that were previously constructed just north of the transit center, and they’ll get the new Gateway North station ready for service beginning on Monday, March 4.

We encourage those who ride MAX Blue, Green and Red lines to use alternative modes of transportation during the disruption. MAX will not serve the Gateway Transit Center while construction is taking place, with MAX Blue and Green lines disrupted and MAX Red Line suspended. Fixed-route and shuttle buses will continue to serve the transit center, however. Elsewhere, mainly along Interstate 84, contractors will use the closure as an opportunity to make improvements to our oldest part of the MAX system.

The work will be the last piece of a yearslong effort to rebuild segments of the MAX Red Line near the Gateway Transit Center and PDX. This part of the Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability project will improve train movement between the transit center and airport by adding another track to previously single-tracked sections. It also includes new bridges and a new MAX station for inbound trains heading toward City Center, which will be located just north of the transit center. The bridges, along with the new station, will be mostly completed and in use when trains resume regular service on Monday, March 4. 

Stay informed and plan ahead

As the connection point for three MAX lines and seven bus lines, the Gateway Transit Center is a major hub of transit activity. Due to the complexity of the work, riders will notice more shuttle buses than during previous projects, and in some cases, riders will need to transfer from one shuttle bus to another to make connections.

We encourage riders to use alternative modes of transportation during the project if they can. Bus lines 12, 15, 19, 20 and 77 can be used as alternatives for some MAX trips, but they may experience higher ridership as a result of the project. LIFT Paratransit and the Columbia Gorge Express will also continue to serve the Gateway Transit Center.

Here’s how the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be affected:

• MAX Blue Line: MAX Blue Line will operate between Hatfield Government Center and NE 7th Ave, as well as E 102nd Ave and Cleveland Ave. Trains will arrive about every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Shuttle buses will serve stations between NE 7th Ave and E 102nd Ave, departing every seven minutes. Connect to shuttle buses to PDX or SE Main St at Gateway.
• MAX Green Line: MAX Green Line will operate between Clackamas Town Center and SE Main St. These will be single-car trains due to their shortened travel distance and the impacts of the project. They will arrive every 15 minutes. Shuttle buses will travel between SE Main St and the Gateway Transit Center every 15 minutes as well.
• MAX Red Line: MAX Red Line will not operate during the disruption. For trips toward Portland International Airport, board a MAX Blue Line train, then take a shuttle bus to the Gateway Transit Center. At Gateway, exit and transfer to a shuttle bus to the airport. These shuttle buses will depart every 15 minutes.

MAX Orange and Yellow lines will be operating on regular schedules during the disruption. With MAX Green Line being shortened, riders heading to Portland State University can board Yellow Line trains at Interstate/Rose Quarter.

Look ahead and start planning

We apologize for the inconvenience! We know disruptions can be challenging, but they are necessary, an investment in the long-term reliability of our rail system that lead to major reliability investments down the road. By doing this work, we will reduce the need for further disruptions along this stretch of the MAX system for many years. You’ll be able to plan ahead. Right now, you can visit our disruption page at trimet.org/improvements to view videos on how the shuttle buses will run and to learn more information about the project.

At Gateway and select stations, we will have customer service personnel to help you. Also, look for directional signs at shuttle bus locations and watch for the destination signs on buses to make sure you’re boarding the right one. 

A Better Red plus other improvements

Not only will the disruption end with the completion of a major Better Red milestone, there will be other improvements. This type of construction project provides an opportunity to make upgrades within areas of the system closed to train traffic, making it less likely that we’ll have to do this work in the future.

In addition to the work at Gateway, TriMet will replace around 9,000 wooden rail ties with more durable concrete ones, and we’ll install 14,000 feet of new rail, including curved rail at NE 97th Ave. This part of the system is part of the original MAX Blue Line and has been in near-constant use for the past 37 years. 

Closing sections of the system for rail improvements also provides a chance to remove litter and graffiti in the MAX right of way, which can be challenging during regular service or the brief overnight window when trains aren’t running.   

A Better Red

Thank you for your understanding and patience! We are now about 85% done with the entire A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project. Once it’s fully completed next summer, riders will have a one-seat trip between Hillsboro Airport and PDX — an extension of the MAX Red Line by 10 new stations west! Improvements around Gateway and the airport — including the addition of a second track, a rebuilt PDX station and a new Red Line station north of Gateway for inbound trains heading into Downtown Portland — will improve reliability across the entire system. 

For more information about A Better Red, go to trimet.org/betterred. 

Facilities across the transit system are going through thorough deep cleaning and daily improvements as part of refresh

You may notice more activity at TriMet’s stations and transit centers: painting, power washing, litter pick up and more. It’s all part of a focused effort to refresh our most heavily used rail stations and transit hubs, along with our track areas and equipment. More than a simple clean up, TriMet is also replacing damaged signs, glass, older bus shelters and trash receptacles.

Repairing and renewing TriMet facilities

Enter the “Clean Team,” a TriMet group dedicated to sprucing up the system. They are working with an initial emphasis on some of our oldest stations, which are also among our most heavily used. These include several stations along Interstate 84 and in Downtown Portland, which are now more than 37 years old. 

At the Gateway Transit Center, crews have replaced bus shelters and begun deep-cleaning efforts, including repainting the MAX shelters on the platforms. Elsewhere, the Clean Team is working to revitalize public art, eliminate graffiti and improve landscaping.

Making it better on board and off

TriMet’s commitment to maintaining a safe and clean transit system shines through in our daily efforts to target vehicles, stations and transit centers. In a strategic move to enhance cleanliness, end-of-line cleaners are stationed at seven key transit Centers and MAX stations where operators take their breaks. Working seven days a week, they take care of spills and trash to make sure vehicles remain welcoming while in active service.

Those cleaners focusing on trains and buses are joined by other cleaners, whose daily efforts emphasize the platforms at rail stations. But with a service area stretched across 533 square miles, and with about 1.3 million trips made each week, there’s a lot to do! TriMet’s Clean Team helps by going deeper and reaching more areas than we can with daily cleaning.

This includes:

• Repainting structures, such as poles and shelters
• Deep cleaning shelter roofs and station platforms
• Cleaning or covering over graffiti 
• Repairing damaged equipment, such as tactile pavers, pylons and signs 
• Improving landscaping, including making sure tree roots don’t damage walkways
• Removing tripping hazards
• Picking up litter from the track area and nearby

The work comes as TriMet has increased security, and we’re rolling out better service as part of Forward Together, the service plan developed with the community. The COVID-19 pandemic posed the greatest public health crisis in over a century and pushed limited resources toward health and sanitation initiatives for nearly two years. Now, as more people return to the system, we want to make sure we’re looking our best and giving our riders the customer experience they want and deserve.

Keeping TriMet safe and clean

Rider safety and comfort are always TriMet’s top focus, no matter the circumstance. This year has seen more efforts aimed at making riding easier, faster and friendlier. TriMet has doubled the number of Customer Safety Supervisors on the system and deployed a diverse and growing security presence, with more than 300 people across various teams.

We also know cleanliness matters. Nothing is better than when everyone takes pride and ownership in the space they share with others. Here are some things you can do to help us keep buses, trains, stations, stops and other locations looking and feeling good. Your help is greatly appreciated!

• Set a good example by not leaving your trash behind. Not only is litter a nuisance and bad for the environment, it can also attract pests.
• Don’t feed the pigeons! As friendly as they seem, pigeons can spread diseases, mites and cause damage to the areas we all use. Feeding them only encourages their behavior, diminishing the hard work of TriMet’s cleaners. 
• Report unwanted behavior, which can be anything from smoking to vandalism to other forms of disruptive conduct. Because we want to know of bad behavior as soon as you see it, we recently made it easier to report security concerns 24 hours a day. For non-urgent matters, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) or submit a report at trimet.org by clicking the security button. If it is urgent, tell the operator or other TriMet employee, or contact 911. 

TriMet’s more than 2,500 union employees receive 4% wage increase starting Dec. 1 under Working & Wage Agreement extension negotiated with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757 in 2022

***UPDATE (June 2025): Hiring bonuses for new operators have now closed.***

TriMet employees who are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757 are getting a raise this December. The 4% wage increase takes effect Friday, Dec. 1, for the 2.538 employees who are represented by the union. TriMet and ATU agreed on the increase as part of an extension to our Working & Wage Agreement signed in August of 2022. This year’s boost comes on the heels of a 7.5% raise last December.

In addition to competitive wages, TriMet employees receive a generous package of benefits that includes health insurance, retirement plans, access to our employee assistance program and more. Plus, when you work for TriMet, you get the satisfaction of helping to provide a vital service to our community, and the peace of mind working in a position of stability for a transit provider serving our region for more than 50 years!

Higher pay for bus drivers, mechanics, customer service and more!

With nearly 80% of TriMet employees represented by ATU 757, union members support every aspect of our agency’s work – from driving buses and operating trains to maintaining vehicles and systems, communicating with riders and helping people find their way around the region. As TriMet continues to grow and respond to the transit needs of our region, we’re growing our team and actively recruiting new members! All new union employees who come on board after Dec.1 will work under the terms of the new pay scale. Here are just a few of the opportunities currently available:

Bus and rail operators

Our bus and rail operators are the heart and soul of TriMet. We’ve been steadily hiring new operators over the past two years, and we’re still going strong! Our agency must have operators to provide the reliable service our riders expect and deserve. We also need more operators to continue expanding service. Our Forward Together plan provides a roadmap to increase bus service by 30% in the coming years, but we need trained operators behind the wheel. We continue to offer a $7,500 hiring bonus to all new operators, as well as a wealth of opportunities to grow with TriMet. Bus drivers can move on to become MAX operators, supervisors or move into a variety of other positions at TriMet. Still, many choose to keep driving because they love what they do. 

With the Dec. 1 wage increase, the starting pay for bus operators goes up to $28.22 per hour, and the top rate increases to $37.62 per hour. Bus operators reach the top rate of pay with their third year of employment with TriMet. MAX operators earn about a dollar more per hour. Apply today at trimet.org/drive.

Maintenance service workers 

From cleaning buses, trains and transit centers, to repairing vehicles and conducting routine maintenance, we depend on the hard work and dedication of the union members who make up our Maintenance Division. We are currently hiring for multiple positions that are looking for a maintenance background, from diesel mechanic to substation maintainer, to light rail body and paint technician. Many of the roles in maintenance are so highly desired that we are offering a $2,500 hiring bonus to help recruit applicants. The Maintenance Division is also a great place to start a career with TriMet, with opportunities to for addiitional education and experience to help you move up.

We are also hiring more Maintenance Service Workers to help keep our transit system safe, clean and welcoming to riders and employees. The Dec. 1 increase pushes starting pay for Maintenance Service Workers to $21.75 per hour, with a top pay of $31.48 per hour after three years. The pay scale for positions within our Maintenance Division varies widely, depending on the role, education requirements and experience needed.

On-street Customer Service 

We’re looking for more than a dozen people to join our On-Street Customer Service team! The on-street team helps TriMet riders use our transit service to enjoy Trail Blazer games, Timbers and Thorns matches, concerts and other big events. They also help riders find their way around busy transit centers and major service disruptions. The 13 currently available positions are limited in duration.

As members of ATU 757, these On-Street Customer Service team members will start out at $20.28 per hour. This is a great way to get your foot in the door at TriMet and feel good as you help people get around our region.

Find these and even more opportunities to join our team at trimet.org/careers.

Higher pay and bonuses are just the start 

In addition to a competitive wage, TriMet employees receive a generous package of benefits, which includes low- to no-cost health, life and disability insurance; paid vacation and sick time; a retirement account with a guaranteed employer contribution and more. Benefits for positions with ATU representation include:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost
• Two retirement plans, with an 8% agency base pay contribution to the employee’s 401a
• One week of paid vacation and up to 40 hours of sick leave in the first year of employment, with paid time off increasing over time
• Paid holidays
• Health and dependent care spending accounts
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program with mental health and counseling services, legal assistance, financial coaching and home ownership programs
• Annual transit pass (valued up to $1200) for employee and eligible family members
• 24-hour access to five exclusive, low-cost, on-site fitness centers
• Representation by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757

Los pases de un  día, de un sólo sentido o de ida y de 2 ½ horas aumentarán, mientras que los pases mensuales y los límites para los pasajeros que usan su tarjeta Hop Fastpass™ NO tendrán ningún aumento

Versión en inglés

TriMet quiere recordarle a los pasajeros que algunas tarifas aumentarán el 1 de enero de 2024, pero los pasajeros frecuentes que paguen con su tarjeta de Hop Fastpass™ y viajen lo suficiente para ganar un pase mensual no verán un aumento. En mayo de 2023, la Junta Directiva de TriMet optó por mantener los pases/límites mensuales de Hop al precio actual. Last tarifas que tendrán incremento son las tarifas para adultos y ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen), los pases de un día para jóvenes, los boletos de 2 ½ horas, y los boletos de un sólo sentido o de ida para el transporte LIFT. Este es el primer aumento en la tarifa base para adultos de TriMet en más de una década.

Se proyecta que estos cambios en TriMet generen $5.3 millones adicionales en ingresos por tarifas anualmente, y se anticipan mayores aumentos a medida que el servicio se expanda y el número de pasajeros aumente. Este aumento de ingresos no solo ayudará a estabilizar las finanzas de TriMet, sino que también permitirá la implementación del plan de servicio Forward Together que tiene como objetivo aumentar el servicio de autobús en más de un 30 % con respecto a los niveles de la pandemia. La expansión del servicio beneficiará a más personas, con especial énfasis en aquellos con ingresos más bajos, brindándoles un mejor acceso al transporte público y ayudándolos a viajar a sus lugares de trabajo y otros destinos importantes. El compromiso de TriMet de ampliar sus servicios ayudará a la comunidad en general y creará más oportunidades para todos.

Aquí hay un vistazo a las tarifas que aumentarán el 1 de enero de 2024:

Adulto:

• Boleto de 2½: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2.80
• Pase de un día: aumentará 60 centavos, con precio final de $5,60

Tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen):

• Boleto de 2 ½ horas: aumentará 15 centavos, con precio final de $1.40
• Pase de un día: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

Jóvenes

• Boleto de 2 1/2 horas: aumentará15 centavos, con precio final de $1.40
• Pase de un día: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

LIFT Paratránsito:

• Boleto de un sólo sentido o de ida: aumentará 30 centavos, con precio final de $2,80

Estas son las tarifas que NO aumentarán a partir del 1 de enero de 2024 para los pasajeros que utilicen su tarjeta Hop:

Adulto:

• Pase mensual con un límite de $100

Tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen):

• Pase mensual con un límite de $28

Jóvenes

• Pase mensual con un límite de $28

Si bien los límites mensuales siguen siendo los mismos, con el aumento en las tarifas diarias los pasajeros alcanzarán el límite mensual más rápido y el resto de los viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos:

Ahora más personas pueden aplicar para obtener tarifa reducida

Actualmente, después de comprar 20 pases diarios para adultos dentro del mismo mes, se alcanza el límite mensual de $100 y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes son gratuitos. A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, después de comprar 18 pases diarios para adultos dentro del mismo mes, se alcanzará el límite de $100 el cual es equivalente al pase mensual y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos.

Actualmente, después de comprar 12 pases de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen) o pases de un día para jóvenes dentro del mismo mes, se alcanza el límite mensual de $28 y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes son gratuitos. A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, después de comprar 10 pases de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen) o pases diarios para jóvenes dentro del mismo mes, alcanza el límite de $28 el cual es equivalente al pase mensual y todos los demás viajes durante ese mes serán gratuitos.

Cada vez son más las personas que pueden solicitar la tarifa reducida de ciudadano honorable (Honored Citizen), y puede que algunas ni siquiera lo sepan. Además de las personas mayores de 65 años, las personas con discapacidad y las que reúnen los requisitos con base a su nivel de ingresos, los miembros activos y veteranos del servicio militar pueden viajar a la mitad del costo de las tarifas diarias para adultos y viajes ilimitados por sólo $28 al mes. Esto representa un ahorro del 72% sobre el precio de nuestra tarifa mensual para adultos. Puede averiguar si cumple los requisitos para beneficiarse de la tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen) en trimet.org/honoredcitizen.  

Primer aumento de la tarifa diaria desde septiembre de 2012 

El aumento de las tarifas diarias para adultos en enero del 2024 será de un 12% y es el primer aumento desde el 2012. En la última década, la personas ha pagado más por todo, desde el combustible a los comestibles, incluidos los servicios y productos básicos. Las tarifas del agua subieron más de 110%, las del alcantarillado más del 50% y las de recolección de basuras más del 20%. 

TriMet también ha visto aumentar sus gastos. El precio de las llantas de los autobuses han subido un 30% en la última década. El precio promedio de un galón de combustible fue un 18% más alto el año pasado que en el año fiscal 2018, y desde mediados del 2021, hemos visto un aumento del 10% al 25% en los precios de muchas de las piezas y partes de nuestros autobuses y trenes.

TriMet ayuda a las personas a pagar por su viaje

Desde julio de 2018, cuando TriMet amplió el programa de tarifas reducidas a quienes ganan hasta el 200% del nivel federal de pobreza, más de 53,000 personas se han inscrito. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/income.

Desde el 2013, los programas de Access Transit de TriMet han brindado asistencia con tarifas y subsidios de alivio de tarifas a organizaciones 501(c)(3) elegibles sin fines de lucro que trabajan directamente con la comunidad. Brindamos tarifas a más de 150 organizaciones a un costo reducido o sin costo, para que puedan ponerlas en manos de quienes las necesitan. Desde 2015, TriMet ha proporcionado a esos socios comunitarios más de $15.3  millones en tarifas. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/accesstransit.

Si bien la tarifa de TriMet para jóvenes entre los 7 a 17 años es la mitad del costo de una tarifa para adultos, también tenemos programas para escuelas secundarias que brindan a los estudiantes tarifas gratuitas o con descuento. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/summerpass. Niños de 6 años y menores viajan gratis con un adulto acompañante.

TriMet también ofrece viajes de LIFT paratránsito a una tarifa reducida para aquellos que dependen de este servicio. La cantidad que pagan los pasajeros ($2,80 por viaje a partir del 1 de enero de 2024) es mucho menor que el costo operativo real del viaje ($79,93 por viaje, octubre de 2023). TriMet cobra por esos viajes la mitad del costo que el gobierno federal designó para este servicio.

TriMet can take you to and from many of the season’s celebrations, and trimet.org makes it easy to plan before you go

All the good cheer of the most wonderful season of the year tends to disappear in holiday traffic. But before your heart shrinks three sizes too small and your skin sprouts green shag, remember there’s an easier way around congestion with TriMet. In the spirit of the season, the biggest and most useful gift we can give riders is a convenient trip where we’re in the driver’s seat and finding parking isn’t an issue.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without crowds, which may lead to delays no matter how you decide to travel. Being patient will be important, especially when traveling to busy shopping destinations or during popular events. You can easily plan and track your trip at trimet.org. Just check trimet.org/alerts before you go.

Pioneer Square Tree Lighting Ceremony

This year’s holiday festivities start with the flip of a switch, as the City of Roses will once again turn into the City of Lights. Portland’s Tree Lighting returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 24. The annual event will take place between 5:30-6:30 p.m. and feature a sing-a-long led by Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers.

With as many as 15,000 on hand for the festivities, MAX platforms at and across from the square will be closed for safety from 3 p.m. until about 7 p.m., or when the crowds disperse. They include:

• Pioneer Square North
• Pioneer Square South
• Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave Station

To reach the square, get off one stop before or after.

All MAX lines may experience minor delays due to the large crowd. Buses will detour off of SW 6^th Ave. until about 7 p.m.

We will have extra personnel out during the tree lighting providing security and helping people get around. They will include bus and rail supervisors who serve multiple roles, including operator support, encouraging safe behavior and assisting riders with questions. Let them or other TriMet personnel know if you need help or if you have an issue to report.

If you see something out of the ordinary, you can text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE), or submit a report online, to report a non-urgent concern directly to TriMet Security 24 hours a day. For an urgent concern, alert the operator or text or call 911 in an emergency.

Bus detours around Clackamas Town Center

The Clackamas Town Center’s parking lot can become busy during heavy holiday shopping. With the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center nearby and buses serving the parking lot directly, TriMet will detour buses around the Clackamas Town Center on the three busiest shopping days of the year.

The bus detours will be in effect between 1-6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, Saturday, Dec. 23, and Sunday, Dec. 24. The Clackamas Town Center Transit Center itself will remain open, and the bus detours will not affect MAX Green Line service.

The stops that will be temporarily closed (ID 13247 and ID 13248) are located off of Ring Road, which loops around the parking lot. The stop for eastbound Clackamas Town Center buses (ID 12921) will be moved to a temporary location between the entrance of the Cinema and Monterey Avenue.  From the temporary stop, buses will travel to the SE Fuller Rd MAX Station, where riders can transfer to the MAX Green Line.

At the Fuller Rd MAX Station, riders can board a Green Line train to continue to the Clackamas Town Center mall stop (ID 13132). Westbound buses will serve a temporary stop at the SE Fuller Rd MAX Station before continuing to the Clackamas Town Center Mall stop (ID 12922). We will have signs posted and customer service representatives out to help people make their connections if needed. Riders can also get off at the Clackamas Town Center Mall stop (ID 12922) and proceed about ½ mile to Clackamas Town Center Transit Center to board MAX.

Take TriMet to holiday events!

A new tradition is starting this year, with the City of Portland’s introduction of an ice rink and holiday marketplace, Woodsy Winter Village, near the west end of the Morrison Bridge. The marketplace and ice rink will be located on Southwest Naito Parkway between Harvey Milk and Morrison streets. They’ll be open from Dec. 16 through Jan. 28, with the ice rink operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through December except for Christmas Day. Stations for MAX Blue and Red line trains are located within a few hundred feet, as are stops for bus lines 15-Belmont/NW 23rd and 16-Front Ave/St Helens Rd. The Portland Transit Mall, with bus and rail service serving multiple lines, is also located less than half a mile away.

The always popular Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo has also returned through Jan 7, 2024. With the Washington Park MAX station, served by the MAX Blue and Red lines, located near the entrance of the Oregon Zoo, Zoo Lights remains an ideal destination for those looking to leave their car at home.

In Washington County, the annual Tree Lighting at Orenco Station will happen on Nov. 25 from 4-6 p.m, with the lighting itself happening at 5:30 p.m. The MAX Blue Line serves Orenco Station, as do bus lines 47-Main/Evergreen and 48-Cornell. 

The Spirit of Gresham Holiday Tree Lighting is set to dazzle and delight on Dec. 2 at the Arts Center, 488 NE Third Ave. The event starts at 5 p.m., with the tree lighting scheduled to happen at 6 p.m. The Arts Center is about a five minute walk from the Gresham Central Transit Center, which is served by MAX Blue Line as well as bus lines, 2, 9, 20, 21, 80, 81, 82 and 84.

There are many other events, marketplaces, festivals and concerts happening throughout the season, and we don’t want you to miss out. Check events calendars to see what’s happening near you and then go to trimet.org to see the best way of getting there.

Stay alert and use caution

There are bound to be a lot of distractions during the holidays. Don’t get so caught up that you aren’t being safe, especially at MAX and road crossings. Look both ways and make sure an umbrella, hood or other clothing doesn’t block your view. And if you can, bring a light or reflective clothing to help our operators and other drivers see you better. It’s going to be dark and busy, so stay alert, safe and seen.

While riding, if you see something that doesn’t seem right, let us know. Text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to report non-urgent security concerns 24 hours a day. For emergencies, alert the operator or contact 911. Learn about other efforts to make your ride safe at trimet.org/security.