A new $2,500 hiring bonus and efficiencies to TriMet’s training program have made it easier to get a foot in the door at Oregon’s largest public transit provider

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

James Bledsoe’s career at TriMet began with a bus, a broom and a dustpan. Now the interim director of Rail Equipment Maintenance, Bledsoe viewed his first foray into public transit as an exciting opportunity that existed few other places.

“I wanted stability,” Bledsoe said. “And I knew TriMet offered stability, good pay and benefits.”

By now, it’s no secret that TriMet is hiring more bus and rail operators, but we’re also looking to add to our ranks of maintenance workers with a new $2,500 hiring bonus. TriMet is in need of light rail vehicle technicians, bus mechanics, overhead power maintainers, body and paint technicians and more to work in our rail, bus and facilities maintenance departments.

The $2,500 hiring bonus is also offered to those who are new to jobs in transit maintenance and interested in joining our maintenance trainee and apprenticeship programs. TriMet has revamped some of our training curriculum to make it more efficient and to better prepare trainees for technician, maintainer and mechanic positions. It’s part of our larger effort to fill open positions at TriMet, bring more well-paying jobs to the region and keep our transit system operating safely and reliably.

Maintenance: a ‘contract with the customers’

Twenty-eight years after getting his start cleaning buses, Bledsoe, TriMet’s interim director of Rail Equipment Maintenance, and his crew of assistant managers, light rail technicians, trainees and service workers continue the mission of keeping a fleet of over 140 MAX trains moving. For Bledsoe, this is TriMet’s “contract with the customers.”

Bledsoe has seen opportunities within his department expand over the years, as the MAX system has grown and light rail technology has advanced. These advancements are visible on our system today, where our first-generation trains, introduced in 1986, share the same tracks with trains manufactured in 2015. Further opportunities will soon present themselves with the retirement of our first-generation vehicles and the introduction later this year of our Type 6 MAX train, outfitted with the latest technology.

Changes to how TriMet trains light rail vehicle technicians, through a more structured program with a new curriculum, also mean there’s now a shortcut on the path toward career advancement. Under TriMet’s former apprenticeship program, it could take three years for trainees to be considered proficient and productive. Using the new curriculum and training program, it’s now only eight months. Currently, TriMet has over 70 technicians who work on daily maintenance, while another 30 work to rebuild vehicles.

“When you come through the training program, you will start off with little to no knowledge about our vehicles, and we will train you from the ground up on every single system.” said James Klick, a light rail technician and trainer. “That’s basic tool handling, reading electronics schematics, car body repairs, propulsion systems and more.”

At TriMet, training is also provided for all bus mechanics, in addition to our Maintenance of Way and Facilities Maintenance staff.

Though seen less than our operators, maintenance crews, like those in Rail Equipment Maintenance, are critical to ensuring that people reach work, school and appointments on time, and TriMet’s two rail facilities operate around the clock, every day, to make sure that happens.

Jobs that grow

It takes a team to keep a community moving. Whether you have decades of experience or you’re looking for something new, exciting and rewarding, TriMet has various opportunities available—and now with expanded financial incentives. In addition to the $2,500 hiring bonus now available for maintenance employees, they are also eligible for:

• 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 employee’s 401a
• One week of paid vacation and up to 40 hours sick leave in the first year of employment, with paid time off increasing over time
• 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

We are also hiring positions in Finance & Administrative Services; Information Technology; Engineering & Construction; Public Affairs and Labor Relations & Human Resources. For a list of all our open positions, salary information and steps to apply, visit trimet.org/careers.

The Gresham City Hall Park & Ride will close permanently on June 16 to allow Multnomah County to build a new 95,000-square-foot library

A partnership between TriMet and Multnomah County will soon breathe new life into an underused park & ride in Gresham. On Friday, June 16, 2023, the Gresham City Hall Park & Ride will close as Multnomah County prepares the site for the new East County Library.

People who use the Gresham City Hall Park & Ride can move to the nearby Gresham Parking Garage at the Gresham Central Transit Center, located at 575 NE 8th St., adjacent to the MAX Blue Line station and stops for the FX2-Division and several other bus lines. With 540 parking spaces available, the Gresham Parking Garage is our largest parking facility in Gresham, with enough vacant spots to accommodate new riders.

With potential to revitalize an underused parcel of land next to TriMet’s Gresham City Hall MAX Station, the agreement with Multnomah County was made possible through TriMet’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) program. The program looks at opportunities that will sustain regional growth, invigorate communities and increase transit ridership.

In July 2022, Multnomah County agreed to purchase two-thirds of the TriMet-owned park & ride, with an eye on developing a flagship library in East Multnomah County, where roughly 40% of the county’s population now resides. The new library, scheduled to open in 2025, will rival Multnomah County’s Central Library in size and feature community amenities like an auditorium and public plaza.

Building community connections

Recharging underused facilities and TriMet-owned properties so they can better meet the needs of the community while promoting transit use is central to what Transit-Oriented Development does. While TriMet’s top priority will always be getting people to their destinations safely, we also see opportunities to help encourage mixed-use development, affordable housing and community centers. Some park & rides aren’t heavily used. Rather than allowing them to sit partially empty, TriMet wants to ensure our riders’ greater needs are addressed by bringing housing, recreation and destinations closer to where they ride.

The partnership with Multnomah County is a start in rethinking how to make the most of property owned by TriMet—especially that which is not needed for transit use. In November 2022, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $315,000 grant award to TriMet to conduct studies around potential development opportunities at two other park & rides, at E 122nd Ave and E 181st Ave. The plans will address housing needs, economic development opportunities, community-focused investments and transit accessibility, as well as station access.

Other Transit-Oriented Development projects TriMet has partnered on with others include the recently opened Fuller Station Apartments— new affordable housing within steps of the MAX Green Line in Happy Valley—and the planned hollywoodHUB project in Northeast Portland. For more information about TriMet’s Transit-Oriented Development Program, visit trimet.org/tod.

From Capitol Hill to Oregon, Tyler Frisbee has helped shape equitable transportation throughout region

The TriMet Board of Directors welcomes Tyler Frisbee as its newest member as of June 1, 2023. Frisbee was nominated to serve on the Board by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and the Oregon Senate approved the appointment in April.

Frisbee brings background in active transportation, policy, coalition building

Tyler Frisbee is well-versed in active transportation and has a range of experience in coalition building, two vital skills that will help steer TriMet as we rebound from lost ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic and add back new and improved transit service.

“I’m an avid user of TriMet, and I will use that perspective and experience advocating for safe, reliable transit service,” Frisbee said. “I believe transit should make everyone’s lives better, regardless of race, disability or economic status, or whether or not you even use it. I want to make taking the bus or the MAX the best part of everyone’s day. TriMet has the power to uplift communities while helping our region reach its climate goals.”

Frisbee will represent TriMet District 4, which spans from Southeast Portland to Milwaukie and covers portions of northern Clackamas County.

Frisbee most recently worked in Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s office as a strategic advisor with a focus on transportation, environmental policy and agricultural policy. Frisbee also spent more than six years with Metro, the regional government for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. During her time there, Frisbee worked primarily with Metro’s Government Affairs and Policy Development team, collaborating with local government partners to deliver on Metro’s goals of creating affordable housing, implementing efficient land-use policies and curbing carbon emissions. Frisbee also served as the Policy Director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and has experience consulting on transportation issues for the firm WSP Parsons and Brinckerhoff.

Frisbee began her professional career working for Congressman Blumenauer on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. During this initial stint with Congressman Blumenauer, from 2008 to 2014, Frisbee worked as a senior legislative assistant on issues surrounding transportation policy and finance, land use planning and environmental policy.

Frisbee was born and raised in Oregon. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Frisbee left the New Hampshire campus with a dual degree in government and human geography. While studying there, Frisbee led a non-partisan program that worked to engage young voters in the political process and increase turnout ahead of the state’s highly-contested 2008 presidential primaries.

Frisbee is multimodal, commuting by bus, bike and on foot. Her favorite bus line is the new FX2-Division, which runs between Downtown Portland and Gresham. While not advocating for transportation projects, Frisbee loves staying active. She spends her weekends outside, running and hiking through the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Frisbee joins President Dr. Linda Simmons and directors Keith Edwards, Ozzie Gonzalez, Thomas Kim, Dr. LaVerne Lewis, Dr. Linda Simmons and Kathy Wai on the Board.

Thank you to outgoing District 4 Director Bauman

TriMet would like to thank outgoing Board Vice President Lori Irish Bauman for her 8 years of service on the Board. Bauman represented TriMet District 4 and served as the chair of TriMet’s Finance & Audit Committee.

Bauman has been a frequent TriMet rider and helped guide our agency through the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has been instrumental in many TriMet initiatives, including the start of our journey on our goal to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040, our switch to renewable energy and renewable diesel, our expansion of reduced fare to those who qualify based on a low income, our Division Transit Project and the launch of our first TriMet FX® — Frequent Express — high-capacity bus line, our current Better Red project to improve and expand our MAX Red Line, and much more.

About the TriMet Board of Directors

TriMet’s Board consists of seven Directors, who are appointed by the governor. They set policy for the agency, as well as appoint the general manager, implement legislation pertaining to transit operations and review and approve certain contracts.

Board members are volunteers and can serve up to two, four-year terms; however, they serve at the pleasure of the governor and can continue to serve until a successor is appointed. For more information about the TriMet Board, visit trimet.org/board.

Pedestrians, cyclists and others should plan for minor route changes across the bridge starting Monday, June 5

It’s inspection time for Portland’s transit and pedestrian bridge. TriMet’s biennial inspection of Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, begins Monday, June 5, and will last until Friday, June 9. Due to the work, pedestrians, cyclists and people using other modes, like e-scooters, will need to use a single pathway between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for each day of the inspection. TriMet bus and MAX service, as well as Portland Streetcar service, will not be affected.

We ask that you follow the posted detour signs, and we urge cyclists to walk their bikes and yield to those on foot to help keep everyone safe.

We’re working to keep the Tilikum Crossing in tip-top shape and apologize for any inconvenience the temporary path closures may cause. During the inspection, you may notice workers on top of, beside and even underneath the bridge.

Construction closures/detours – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day

Most of the inspection work can take place with minimal impacts to pedestrians. One side of the bridge will always be open to pedestrians and one-way bicycle traffic. If you are cycling against the flow, we do ask that you either walk your bike across or use an alternate route, such as the Hawthorne Bridge.

Use marked crosswalks near the South Waterfront/SW Moody MAX Station on the west end or the OMSI/SE Water MAX Station on the east end of the bridge.

Safety inspections are required on Tilikum Crossing and the adjacent Harbor Way structure every two years. Since the bridge opened in 2015, inspections have taken place in June 2017, 2019 and 2021. Learn more about Tilikum Crossing.

Plan before you go and stay flexible, as city festivities are expected to impact transit and traffic

With TriMet at the wheel, traveling to the Rose Festival doesn’t have to be a thorny issue. Forget about gassing up your car and finding parking. No need to worry about the added hassle of road congestion, or finding the best route. This year, give your blood pressure a break and show a little love to the environment by taking TriMet.

Portland’s late-spring hurrah is a favorite for locals and visitors alike and is expected to draw tens of thousands to Downtown, the Lloyd Neighborhood and the Hollywood District.  The fun begins Friday, May 26, at 5 p.m. with CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. CityFair’s first night will conclude with a fireworks extravaganza, which will close the Morrison and Hawthorne bridges between 8 p.m. and midnight. During that time, buses that normally cross those bridges—including lines 6, 10, 14 and 15— will use either the Burnside Bridge or the Steel Bridge.

For trips Downtown, riders can use one of some  20 bus lines. Every MAX line also runs into downtown, some of which will drop you off just steps away from Waterfront Park. For the inner eastside, the Rose Quarter Transit Center and nearby Interstate/Rose Quarter MAX Station are convenient locations to catch a bus or train. Together, the stations are home to six bus lines and all MAX lines.

With convenient travel options at your disposal, riders can go to trimet.org/planner to find the one that works best for them. To view maps, schedules and see real-time locations of vehicles, go to trimet.org.

Beat the fleet: June 6-11

One annual tradition that’s sure to draw crowds, just as it raises bridges, is Fleet Week. During the arrival and departure of ships, TriMet encourages riders to plan an extra 30-45 minutes, especially if they’re crossing the Willamette River.

This year, ships are expected to be at the waterfront from June 6-13, starting a day earlier than in previous years. Bridge lifts will be necessary on June 6, 7 and 8 as the ships arrive, and again when they depart on June 11, which will temporarily disrupt some service.

• All MAX lines cross the Steel Bridge and will be stopped as long as the bridge is up. Since it’s not known how long the afternoon bridge lifts will last, TriMet encourages riders to be flexible and consider planning an alternate route if they can.

• During the lifts, MAX trains and buses will hold at stations and stops near the river. Shuttle buses may be necessary to get riders around the disruption. It’s important to keep in mind that the disruption near the river will affect service throughout the system, so all MAX riders and some bus riders should plan extra time during the ships’ arrivals and departures.

• Our crews will be monitoring the lifts and adjusting service as necessary.

• Please check trimet.org/alerts before heading out, as service may change repeatedly.

We thank our riders for their flexibility and patience during this year’s festivities. Watching the big ships come in has been a Portland tradition shared by generations, and we’re excited to welcome them back into the heart of the city this year.

Steeped in tradition

Fleet Week is just one of the annual traditions worth checking out this year. In the 115 years since the first seeds of the Rose Festival were planted, plenty of traditions have weathered the decades practically unchanged. But because these events take over some city roads, a number of bus lines will be affected while they’re happening.

• The Grand Floral Parade has entertained generations of Portlanders since the first official Rose Festival in 1907. This year’s Spirit Mountain Grand Floral Parade travels through the Lloyd neighborhood on Saturday, June 10, starting at 10 a.m. at Memorial Coliseum and ending at the Lloyd Center. Detoured bus lines for the Grand Floral Parade will include: lines 4, 6, 8, 17, 35, 44, 70 and 77.

• Also in 1907, an “electric parade” lit up the streets and awed onlookers with this newfangled technology. But even as the novelty of electricity waned, the lights didn’t dim, and it eventually became the Starlight Parade. It begins on Saturday, June 3, with the Starlight Run at 6:30 p.m. followed by the parade on 8 p.m. Both start on Southwest Naito Parkway before weaving their way through Downtown toward Providence Park. Detoured bus lines will include: lines 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 54, 56 and 63.

• Roots for the Junior Parade date back—unofficially at least—to 1918, when children, disappointed that the official festival had been called off due to WWI, staged their own parade. Eventually, it became an official part of the festival in 1936, and today it’s the nation’s oldest and largest children’s parade. This year’s Fred Meyer Junior Parade will travel through the Hollywood District, mainly on Northeast Sandy Boulevard, beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7. Detoured bus lines for the Junior Parade will include: 12, 75 and 77.

We’re here to help

Need help getting around on TriMet’s system? Our Rider Support team is available between 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily via phone call or text message at 503-238-7433 and on Twitter at @trimethelp. We hope to see you on board as you enjoy a fun, safe and memorable Rose Festival!

FY2024 budget, which includes agency’s first increase to base fare since 2012, begins full-scale rollout of Forward Together service improvement plan  

TriMet’s Board of Directors adopted the agency’s budget for the coming year at its meeting on May 24, 2023, fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility and ensuring that TriMet’s finances are on solid footing heading into the next fiscal year. The FY2024 budget includes $825.4 million in day-to-day operating expenses and $328.3 million in capital and operating projects. Along with those expenses and other financial requirements, the budget comes to $1.93 billion. It incorporates a fare increase, which was approved by the Board moments before the final adoption of the budget. The fare increase, TriMet’s first to our Adult fare in more than a decade, takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024. 

The adopted budget supports the rollout of Forward Together, the first full-scale reformatting of our bus service in agency history that was designed based on extensive community feedback. The Forward Together service improvements will bring more service to get to more places, for more people who rely on TriMet, especially those who make a low or lower income. It includes the addition of a lot more bus service – an increase of more than 30% from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The budget further advances the “A Better Red” MAX project, expands bus electrification and continues efforts to help riders with low incomes access transit. The FY2024 budget, which covers the fiscal year of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, also supports TriMet’s five-year business plan and helps achieve strategic priorities identified for FY2024, which include rebuilding and earning new ridership; enhancing our focus on safety; and emphasizing inclusion, diversity, equity and access for riders, employees and community members.

The budget was reviewed and approved by Multnomah County’s Tax Supervising and Conservation Committee (TSCC), in accordance with Oregon budget law. Following the TSCC’s review, TriMet made adjustments to the budget totaling $10.6 million, based on updated, actual data, revenue and expenditure projections. The amount, which falls within limits allowed by the law, increased the total value of the budget to $1.93 billion.

Budget Priorities

The FY2024 budget lays out support for priorities under four main categories: transit service, capital investments, electrification; and transit equity, inclusion and community affairs.

Transit service: In addition to maintaining current levels of service across our 533-square service district, TriMet plans to begin restoring service hours that were cut in 2021, due to ridership declines from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, due to our historic operator shortage. We will implement the first bulk package of Forward Together service improvements in the fall and winter of 2023 and spring of 2024. Riders will see an overall increase in service hours of about 7%, which will result in Frequent Service upgrades, where buses arrive every 15 minutes or better; more weekend service; and service to new areas within our district. Learn more at trimet.org/fy24.

Capital investments: TriMet plans to complete most of the remaining construction for our “A Better Red” MAX Extension and Reliability Project during FY2024. Once finished, the project will improve reliability of the entire MAX system, by adding new sections of track to alleviate choke points and extending the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro/Fair Complex, which will give more people a one-seat ride to Portland International Airport and provide more service in Hillsboro. 

Electrification: TriMet will shift our bus electrification program into higher gear during FY2024, as we accept delivery of 24 new battery-electric buses. The buses make up our first bulk purchase of electric vehicles since adopting our plan to fully transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. In addition to buying battery-electric buses, electrification requires significant investments in infrastructure and training to charge and maintain the buses.

Transit equity, inclusion and community affairs: Since TriMet opened our reduced fare to riders who qualify based on income in 2018, more than 50,000 have signed up to ride for significantly less. The Honored Citizen reduced fare, which is also open to seniors age 65+, people on Medicare and people with disabilities, cuts the cost of riding monthly and annually by as much as 72%. TriMet’s FY2024 budget continues to support riders who are struggling financially through our Access Transit Program, which works with local nonprofits and organizations to get free and reduced fares to riders who need them. 

Day passes, single ride and 2 ½ hour tickets to increase. Monthly fares and caps for riders using Hop Fastpass™ cards will NOT increase

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, TriMet’s Board of Directors approved a fare increase that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. This is the first increase in our base Adult fare in more than a decade, but the Board chose not to increase monthly fare caps. That means those who ride frequently and use our Hop Fastpass™ fare card will not see an increase in their monthly costs, despite the fare increase.

The fare increase is anticipated to increase the revenue TriMet collects from fares by $5.3 million dollars annually, but that amount is expected to increase as service expands and ridership rebounds. The revenue will help stabilize TriMet’s financial future and allow the rollout of our Forward Together service plan, developed with the community, to increase service by more than 30% from pandemic levels. The service expansion will give more people, especially those with lower incomes, more access to more transit service, to reach more jobs and places.

“While an increase in cost is never easy, the Board’s decision, as financial stewards of TriMet and the public dollars we receive, is an important one for our future and the future of transit in our community,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue, Jr. “It will help pay for Forward Together, putting more buses in more areas to get people where they need to go and provide an investment in our light rail system to update decades-old mechanisms and equipment reaching the end of their useful life.”

TriMet fares increasing in January 2024

The following TriMet fares will increase beginning Jan. 1, 2024:

• Adult 2 ½ Hour Ticket: up 30 cents to $2.80
• Honored Citizen 2 ½ Hour Ticket: up 15 cents to $1.40
• Youth 2 ½ Hour Ticket: up 15 cents to $1.40
• LIFT paratransit Single Ride Ticket: up 30 cents to $2.80

An all-day pass would still be the cost of two tickets, increasing accordingly:

• Adult Day Pass: up 60 cents to $5.60
• Honored Citizen Day Pass: up 30 cents to $2.80
• Youth Day Pass: up 30 cents to $2.80

Monthly fare caps will not increase

When TriMet fares increase in January 2024, the monthly cap on fares for those using our Hop card will stay the same: $100 for Adult fare payers and $28 for Youth and Honored Citizen reduced fare payers. That means riders will reach the monthly fare cap sooner, and ride for no additional cost starting earlier in the month. Under the fare increase, those paying Adult fare would reach $100 after buying 17.5 day passes, and those paying Youth or Honored Citizen reduced fare would reach $28 after 10 day passes.

TriMet fares have not increased with costs, other basic services hikes

TriMet held off increasing our base fare since 2012. Yet since that time, TriMet has seen our own costs increase, and people have paid more for everything from fuel to water, garbage, utilities, groceries and other basic services and products.

In the past decade, water fees jumped by 110%, sewer rates went up more than 50% and garbage collection fees rose by more than 20%. The Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increased by more than 20%.

Among the rise in costs TriMet has experienced, the cost of tires for our buses have gone up 30% in the past decade. The average cost for a gallon of fuel was 18% higher in the past year than in fiscal year 2018, and since mid-2021, we’ve seen a 10%-25% increase in prices for many of the parts and components for our buses and trains. 

TriMet’s January 2024 fare increase will represent a 12% hike.

Community partnerships, reduced fares to help mitigate fare increase

TriMet understands a fare increase may be challenging for those on low and limited incomes who rely on transit. In addition to keeping monthly fare caps for those who use our Hop card at the same cost of today, TriMet will continue our reduced fare program and other Access Transit programs that have been helping people who are struggling financially. Those programs have been in place for years now, and TriMet will work to further expand awareness and availability of the programs.

TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare program allows people over 65, those with disabilities and those who earn a low income to ride daily for half the cost of an adult fare, and up to 72% less a month. In addition to that, those who qualify for the Honored Citizen reduced fare based on their income level receive a free month of rides when they register for the program or re-enroll. We’ll be working to expand promotion of the Honored Citizen reduced fare so more people are aware of the savings. We’re also exploring extending the registration for the reduced fare program from two years to three years.

Since July 2018, when TriMet expanded the reduced fare program to those making up to 200% of the federal poverty level, more than 50,000 people have signed up. Learn more at trimet.org/income.

Since 2013, TriMet’s Access Transit programs have provided fare assistance and fare relief grants to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit and community-based organizations. We give more than 100 organizations fares at a reduced cost or at no cost, so they can get them into the hands of those who need them. Since 2015, TriMet has provided those community partners with more than $12.2 million in fares. Learn more at trimet.org/accesstransit. 

While TriMet’s youth fare for those ages 7 through 17 is half the cost of an adult fare, we also have programs for high schools to provide students free or discounted fares. Learn more at trimet.org/summerpass. Youth age 6 and under ride free with an accompanying adult. 

TriMet also provides LIFT paratransit rides at a reduced rate to those who rely on this service, and we will continue charging for those rides as half the cost that the federal government designated for paratransit service.

TriMet will also work to expand our Hop retail network to make it easy for people to buy Hop card and reload value. Visit myhopcard.com to learn more about Hop.

Pases de un día, pases de un solo viaje y pases de 2 horas y media van a aumentar. Las tarifas mensuales y los topes de viajes para los pasajeros que usan tarjetas Hop Fastpass™ NO aumentarán

El miércoles 24 de mayo de 2023, la junta directiva de TriMet aprobó un aumento de tarifas que entrará en vigencia el 1 de enero de 2024. Este es nuestro primer aumento en la tarifa básica para adultos en más de una década la cual no afectará los topes de las tarifas mensuales. Esto significa que los pasajeros frecuentes que usan nuestra tarjeta Hop Fastpass™ no verán aumentar sus costos mensuales de transporte, a pesar de este aumento en la tarifa.

Se anticipa que este aumento, incrementará los ingresos que TriMet recauda de las tarifas en $5.3 millones de dólares al año, pero se espera que esta cantidad aumente a medida que se expanda el servicio y se recupere el número de pasajeros. Las ganancias ayudarán a estabilizar el futuro financiero de TriMet y permitirán la implementación del plan de servicio Forward Together, que se desarrolló con la comunidad, para aumentar los servicios en un 30% sobre los niveles de la pandemia. La expansión del servicio brindará a la comunidad, especialmente a aquellas con ingresos bajos, más acceso a servicios de transporte, llegando así a más trabajos y lugares.

“Si bien nunca es fácil aumentar los costos, la decisión de la junta, como administradores financieros de TriMet y los dólares públicos que recibimos, es importante para nuestro futuro y el transporte en nuestra comunidad”, dijo Sam Desue Jr, gerente general de TriMet. “Ayudará a pagar por Forward Together, poniendo más autobuses en más áreas, llevando a las personas a donde lo necesiten y brindando una inversión en nuestro sistema de tren ligero al actualizar mecanismos y equipos de décadas de antigüedad que están llegando al final de su vida útil. “

Las tarifas de TriMet aumentarán en enero de 2024

Las siguientes tarifas de TriMet aumentarán a partir del 1 de enero de 2024:

• Boleto de 2 horas y media para adultos: aumenta 30 centavos, pasa a $2.80
• Boleto de Ciudadano Honorable de 2 horas y media: aumenta 15 centavos, pasa a $1.40
• Boleto para jóvenes de 2 horas y media: aumenta 15 centavos, pasa a $1.40
• Boleto de un solo viaje de LIFT paratransit:  aumenta 30 centavos, pasa a $2.80

Un pase de todo el día seguiría siendo el costo de dos boletos, aumentando en consecuencia:

• Pase de un día para adultos: aumenta 60 centavos, pasa a $5.60
• Pase de un día para Ciudadano Honorable: aumenta 30 centavos, pasa a $2.80
• Pase de un día para jóvenes: aumenta 30 centavos, pasa a $2.80

Los topes de tarifas mensuales no aumentarán

Cuando las tarifas de TriMet aumenten en enero de 2024, el tope mensual de las tarifas para los que usan nuestra tarjeta Hop seguirá siendo igual: $100 para adultos y $28 para jóvenes y ciudadanos honorables que pagan tarifa reducida. Eso significa que los pasajeros alcanzarán el tope de tarifa mensual más rápido y viajarán sin costo adicional más temprano en el mes. Según el aumento de la tarifa, los que pagan la tarifa de adulto alcanzarían los $100 después de comprar 17,5 pases de un día, y los que pagan la tarifa reducida para jóvenes o ciudadanos honorables alcanzarían los $28 después de 10 pases de un día.

Las tarifas de TriMet no han aumentado con los costos; otros servicios básicos han subido

TriMet retrasó el aumento de nuestra tarifa base desde el 2012. Sin embargo, desde entonces, TriMet ha visto aumentar nuestros propios costos y la gente ha pagado más por todo, desde gasolina hasta el agua, basura, servicios públicos, comestibles y otros servicios esenciales. 

En la última década, las tarifas del servicio del agua aumentaron un 110%, las tarifas de alcantarillado aumentaron más del 50% y las tarifas de recolección de basura aumentaron más del 20%. El ajuste por costo de vida (COLA) del Seguro Social aumentó en más del 20%.

Entre el aumento de costos que ha experimentado TriMet, el costo de las llantas para nuestros autobuses aumentó 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 de 2021, hemos visto un aumento del 10% al 25% en los precios de muchas de las piezas y componentes de nuestros autobuses y trenes.

El aumento de las tarifas de TriMet de enero de 2024 representará un aumento del 12%.

Asociaciones comunitarias y tarifas reducidas para ayudar a mitigar el aumento de las tarifas

TriMet entiende que un aumento de tarifa puede ser un desafío para aquellos con ingresos bajos y limitados que dependen del transporte público. Además de mantener los topes mensuales para aquellos que usan nuestra tarjeta Hop al mismo costo actual, TriMet continuará con nuestro programa de tarifas reducidas y otros programas de Access Transit (acceso de transporte) que han estado ayudando a las personas que tienen dificultades financieras. Esos programas han estado vigentes durante años y TriMet trabajará para ampliar aún más la divulgación y la disponibilidad de los programas.

El programa de tarifa reducida para ciudadanos honorables (Honored Citizen) de TriMet permite que las personas mayores de 65 años, con discapacidades y con bajos ingresos, viajen diariamente por la mitad del costo de la tarifa de un adulto y hasta con un descuento del 72% del costo mensual de transporte. Además de eso, aquellos que califican para la tarifa reducida en función de su nivel de ingresos reciben un mes gratis de viajes cuando se inscriben en el programa o se vuelven a inscribir. En TriMet, trabajaremos para expandir la promoción de la tarifa reducida para que más personas estén al tanto de los ahorros. También estaremos explorando extender el registro de este programa de dos años a tres años.

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 50,000 personas se han inscrito. Obtenga más información en trimet.org/income (en inglés).

Desde 2013, los programas 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 100 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 $12,2 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. Jóvenes de 6 años y menores viajan gratis con un adulto acompañante.

TriMet también ofrece viajes de LIFT Paratransit a una tarifa reducida para aquellos que dependen de este servicio, y continuaremos cobrando por esos viajes a la mitad del costo que el gobierno federal designó para este servicio.
TriMet también trabajará para expandir nuestra red minorista de tarjetas Hop y así, facilitar su compra y recarga. Visite myhopcard.com para obtener más información.

New platform at Portland International Airport (PDX) will be constructed, June 18-Oct. 21, along with a second MAX Red Line track

As TriMet rolls past the 65% mark for construction of our A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project, a four-month disruption to the MAX Red Line is necessary to get us closer to the finish line. During the 126-day project, lasting June 18 through Oct. 21, stations between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport will be closed, allowing crews to access TriMet right-of-way and perform major construction. Shuttle buses will replace MAX Red Line trains and serve closed stations.

The disruption will allow for Better Red’s most intensive work yet, which includes building around half a mile of new track and demolishing and reconstructing the Portland International Airport platform.

TriMet will have extra staff—our Ride Guides—stationed at the Gateway Transit Center and PDX for the first two weeks of this latest phase of the project. Transit Security Officers and customer service personnel will be at PDX and Gateway at other times during the project and can also assist riders. Riders will want to look for signs directing them to shuttle bus stops. For more information about the project, go to trimet.org/improvements.

Shuttle buses: Gateway to PDX

From June 18-Oct. 21, the only TriMet service provided to Portland International Airport will be by bus. Shuttle buses will take riders to MAX stations between Gateway Transit Center and PDX, departing about every 15 minutes.

MAX Red Line trains will continue to run between Beaverton Transit Center and Gateway Transit Center, but will be arriving less often—every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes.

Riders will want to plan ahead, as the disruption could add up to 30 minutes to some trips. You can do that now by going to trimet.org/planner. Just remember to set your travel time for a date during the disruption period. We’re thankful to have understanding riders, and we appreciate your patience as we make these improvements. We look forward to introducing you to the new and improved PDX MAX Station when service returns on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Track and platform construction

Observant riders may notice that the Portland International Airport MAX Station looks different from most of our other rail stations. It’s triangular and tapered at the eastern end, rather than being rectangular and uniform. That has worked for the current configuration, where the track splits at the station, sending trains to either side of the platform. But we want to reduce delays and increase reliability, so we’re adding a second track and making the tracks parallel.

TriMet looked to the MAX Orange Line, featuring our newest stations, for how to design an updated PDX platform. Beyond giving riders more space, a rectangular platform will also allow for the installation of an improved shelter, providing coverage to access both MAX cars and offering people more cover.

The second track will be built along the section of MAX Red Line between Air Cargo Road and PDX. This critical part of the Better Red Project will allow trains to move around each other without having to wait for one to pass. Additionally, TriMet crews will use the time to build a new multi-use path and rail crossing at Air Cargo Road, along with nearly a dozen smaller maintenance and improvements projects along the disrupted section of trackway.

A Better Red

A Better Red is TriMet’s largest rail project since the opening of the MAX Orange Line in 2015. TriMet is adding another track for MAX Red Line trains between the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport, building new bridges to carry these trains and a new platform north of the Gateway Transit Center. In Washington County, TriMet is extending the Red Line west 10 stations, to run between Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport and PDX

Recently, we finished tying in special track work at Gateway Transit Center. That track component is a key piece that will connect A Better Red’s various improvements together once the project is completed and opens to the public in late 2024. A Better Red is one of many ways TriMet is addressing the transportation needs of the Portland metro area. Better, more reliable transportation options mean cleaner air, improved convenience and more opportunities for everyone.

For more information on A Better Red, visit trimet.org/betterred.