In partnership with ODOT, free rides begin at 8 p.m. on December 31, with extended late-night MAX service

Relax, kick back and leave the driving to TriMet this New Year’s Eve. Free rides return this year to get you to and from the night’s celebrations the safe way. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), all TriMet buses and MAX trains, as well as Portland Streetcar, will be providing free rides from 8 p.m. until the end of service.

Free rides, extended MAX service

MAX

All MAX trains will run on their regular schedules with extended late-night service on most lines going until at least 2 a.m.

• The last MAX Blue Line trip to Gresham leaves Pioneer Square South at 2:23 a.m., and the last trip to Hillsboro leaves Pioneer Square North at 2:47 a.m.
• The last MAX Green Line trip to Clackamas Town Center leaves from Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th at 2:18 a.m., and the last trip from Clackamas Town Center to Gateway Transit Center leaves at 3:12 a.m.
• The last MAX Orange Line trip to SE Park Ave leaves Pioneer Place/SW 5th Ave MAX Station at 2:02 a.m., and the last trip from SE Park Ave leaves at 2:52 a.m.
• The last MAX Red Line trip to Portland International Airport leaves Pioneer Square South at 12:42 a.m., and the last trip from PDX at 1:56 a.m.
• The last MAX Yellow Line trip to Expo Center leaves Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th at 2:27 a.m., and the last trip from Expo Center to Interstate Rose Quarter leaves at 3:05 a.m.

Buses

TriMet buses will run on regular Saturday schedules on New Year’s Eve. No fare will be collected after 8 p.m. However, buses will not have extended service hours. Riders who are staying out late may want to plan a trip home on MAX, if service on their bus line ends before midnight.

Plan ahead and stay safe

By working with ODOT to help keep impaired drivers off the road, our goal is to bring some extra peace of mind to drivers, pedestrians and those looking to take in the festivities. Offering free rides on New Year’s Eve has been a TriMet practice for years, and we’re excited to be bringing it back.

Before heading out, we suggest riders check schedules and make travel plans in advance by going to trimet.org. And remember, if you plan on making a trip after the clock strikes midnight, make sure you set the date for Jan. 1!

On New Year’s Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, TriMet’s Rider Support team will not be available, and the TriMet Ticket Office at Pioneer Courthouse Square will be closed. TriMet will observe the New Year’s Day holiday on Monday, Jan. 2. Buses and MAX will follow Sunday schedules. There will be no WES service. Visit trimet.org/holidays to learn more. 

With more people expected to be traveling after a night out, we encourage everyone to:

• Be alert and pay attention around buses and trains.
• Pause devices and look both ways when crossing streets or tracks.
• Be respectful of operators and other riders.
• If you see something suspicious, say something to a TriMet employee or call 911.
• Check your surroundings for personal items before you leave.

If you believe you lost something on board, you can contact our Lost and Found as soon as Monday, Jan. 2, by calling 503-238-7433, option 6, to file a report between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can also do so on our webpage: trimet.org/lostandfound.

For more information about free rides on New Year’s Eve, go to trimet.org/nye.

With the completion of the Fuller Station Apartments, more people will have convenient access to both transit and affordable housing

In a little under a year and a half, Clackamas County’s newest affordable housing project went from seed to tree, springing up on land that had previously been used as part of TriMet’s Fuller Road MAX Station Park & Ride. The project, known as the Fuller Station Apartments, broke ground in April 2021 and opened to tenants this fall. The project’s swift turnaround was made possible through the coordination of TriMet’s Transit-Oriented Development Program (TOD), which aims to connect more people to transit, prevent displacement and create family-wage jobs by redeveloping underused parcels of land.

Rising six stories, the 129,000-square-foot building features 100 apartments for families and individuals who earn between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Partial funding for the project came from the Housing Authority of Clackamas County (HACC), which awarded nearly $8.6 million in Metro Affordable Housing Bonds for this development.

Taking its name from its proximity to the MAX Green Line’s Fuller Road MAX Station, the apartments aim to invest in public transit, reinvigorate the neighborhood by opening up nearby land for future development and provide new housing to those who need it. There’s also still plenty of parking available at the Park & Ride, with the new building occupying about half of the overall footprint. With new residents being close to both the MAX Green Line and Line 72-Killingsworth buses, TriMet also provided residents with pre-loaded Hop cards upon their moving in.

Partnering for housing

In partnership with developers Geller, Silvis & Associates and Guardian, as well as Clackamas County, Fuller Station Apartments took shape over about 18 months and began its opening in October. Other partners who made the project possible include Oregon Housing and Community Services, Metro, CREA, JPMorgan Chase, R&H Construction, BC Group, Waterleaf and Tello Interiors. The apartments are currently 66% leased and accepting applications. A referral from a specific social service organization may be required for eligibility.

“With the high demand for affordable housing, we are proud to launch Fuller Station and be a part of the solution. Not only does Fuller Station offer homes for those with lower incomes, but we have also partnered with DevNW and Clackamas Women’s Service to provide a community for those aging out of the foster care system and survivors of domestic abuse,” said Tom Brenneke, president of Guardian. “Thanks to being adjacent to the MAX Green Line, we’re also able to offer accessibility to affordable transportation to work, healthcare, and social services.” 

“TriMet is very excited to celebrate the opening of Fuller Station. This affordable housing project reinforces TriMet’s Transit-Oriented Development goal to support the delivery of community-supportive housing at its stations,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “Fuller Station and the new street infrastructure accompanying it is an excellent example of how public-private partnerships can promote more efficient land use around transit.”

Transit-oriented development: helping people move

While we aren’t developers, TriMet works with the public, private and community partners to facilitate new developments through our Transit-Oriented Development Program. These projects maximize density using TriMet properties that are no longer needed or by coordinating with third-party properties located near transit. Not only does transit-oriented development facilitate density, increase the supply of affordable housing and help realize new projects that benefit the community, they also increase access to transit.

In recent months, our Transit-Oriented Development program has taken steps to realize future projects that will sustain regional growth and invigorate communities. Earlier this summer, TriMet signed a letter of intent with Multnomah County for the partial sale of Gresham City Hall Park & Ride for the development of a new regional flagship library.

TriMet also recently received a $315,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to conduct studies around potential development opportunities at two Park & Rides: E 122^nd Ave and E 181st Ave. The plans will address housing needs, economic development, transit accessibility, as well as pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

For more information about TriMet’s Transit-Oriented Development Program, visit trimet.org/tod.

Revised Forward Together concept updates 22 bus line changes, including adjusted routes, combining lines, more buses running more days and hours

TriMet has revised our Forward Together service concept based on feedback that we heard from thousands of people during public engagement conducted throughout our service district in October. Forward Together is the redesign of our bus system to better serve the community, after travel patterns changed coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the most comprehensive analysis of our bus network in agency history, we put our ideas for better service together into a service concept and asked the public to share their thoughts and ideas as well. That public engagement resulted in 4,593 responses to our Forward Together survey and some 500 participants in open house events. 

TriMet and project consultant, Jarrett Walker + Associates, have reviewed the responses and developed a revised Forward Together service concept that will help guide service improvements in the years to come. We plan to begin rolling out ideas from Forward Together in 2023. However, it will take years to put all the proposals from the Forward Together concept out on the street, due in part to our need to hire more bus operators.

Forward Together – Revised

Our Forward Together service concept will help guide plans to expand service by more than 30% in coming years. Early engagement identified overarching goals for increasing ridership and better meeting the needs of people with lower incomes. Forward Together achieves this over time by expanding access to opportunities, creating more Frequent Service with buses coming more often and for more hours, improving connections to job centers, extending weekend service and providing new bus lines serving areas that are far from transit today.

We made updates to 22 bus lines since the draft service concept. We have developed a revised service concept map and summary description of changes by line and area, to help people fully understand what’s changed. Revisions came in a wide range that included adjusting routes, combining lines and expanding times of day or days of the week when buses run.

More opportunities to give feedback

TriMet will begin rolling out concepts from Forward Together in 2023, with the first package of improvements scheduled to begin in September and additional adjustments coming in 2024 and later years. The public will have opportunities to see the proposals for our next fiscal year and share feedback at open house events that are starting in January. We’ll be providing more information about those events, as well as a web page and online comment tool in January. People can also share feedback on any topic involving TriMet during the public comment section of our board meetings, by phone and text at 503-238-RIDE (7433), via Twitter @trimethelp and online at trimet.org/help.

TriMet Board approves Ordinance 369, making those committing the most serious misdemeanors eligible for long-term exclusions and further addressing chronic banned behavior

TriMet’s Board of Directors, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, approved Ordinance 369 to amend the TriMet Code—the rules for operating and riding TriMet—to strengthen the agency’s ability to help keep riders and employees safe. The changes, which take effect Jan. 13, 2023, authorize the General Manager to impose stiffer penalties for prohibited conduct on the transit system. The amendments address behavior-based conduct only, and do not change penalties for fare evasion.

The approved changes to the Code will expand the types of offenses that can result in long-term exclusions, those that stretch from six months to a lifetime ban. While felonies already fall under the scope of our current long-term exclusion policy, attempted felonies and Class A misdemeanors—the most serious category, which includes fourth-degree assault and some bias crimes—will also be eligible for longer exclusions.

Approval of the changes to strengthen long-term exclusions comes eight months after the TriMet Board approved a change to the Code that increased penalties for spitting on operators. These changes are part of a larger effort to make it safer to work on and ride the transit system, while addressing nuisance issues to improve the customer experience. It’s important to note that any person issued a long-term exclusion can seek a later review of that exclusion to show changed behavior.

What the changes would do

Long-term exclusions have been in place since 2017, when the Board adopted an ordinance that authorized—for the first time—the General Manager to issue such exclusions to people who commit “serious physical offenses” against other people. The terms of the long-term exclusions have stayed the same since then, lasting anywhere from about 6 months to a permanent ban.

Ordinance 369 makes three principal changes to TriMet’s Code, focusing on individuals who commit serious physical offenses and repeatedly violate TriMet’s Code relating to conduct.

1: The most serious misdemeanors will be covered under TriMet’s definition of “serious physical offense”

People committing Class A misdemeanors against others, along with attempted felonies, will be eligible for long-term exclusions. In addition to assault and bias crimes in the second degree, Class A misdemeanors include public indecency, possession of a hoax destructive device and harassment that includes offensive sexual contact.

2: Remove distinctions between first and second offenses

Because most, if not all, of the actions that trigger a long-term exclusion are physical and serious, the approved changes simplify the Code by removing the distinction between first and second offenses. The General Manager has discretion on whether a year-long exclusion, or even a permanent ban, is warranted after the first offense, depending on the severity of the crime. Since TriMet instituted long-term exclusions more than five years ago, only one person has ever been permanently excluded. Anyone who receives a long-term exclusion does have the right to appeal it annually.

3: Further address chronic offenders

Chronic offenders who have repeatedly commit Code violations for behavior, whether they were Class A misdemeanors or not, and have not changed their behavior despite multiple attempts by TriMet to dissuade such conduct, will also be eligible for long-term exclusions of up to two years. Chronic offender is defined as a person with three or more violations for conduct within a 90-day period. Making chronic offenders eligible for long-term exclusions is specific to behavior and not simple fare evasion. Rather, this addresses behavior that disrupts the safety and order of the transit system.

Again, the changes for long-term exclusions go into effect Jan. 13, 2023.

Decriminalizing fare enforcement

While none of the Code amendments approved touch on fare evasion, it’s important to note that TriMet has moved to decriminalize over the past six years. Efforts to improve the handling of fare evasion include:

• Decriminalized fare enforcement by soliciting in 2017 a change in state law to allow TriMet to resolve fare evasion citations directly rather than citations automatically going to the court.
• Reduced the punitive impacts of fare evasion penalties in July 2018 with potential for reduced fines, community service or enrollment in TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare program.
• Changed TriMet Code as of December 2018 to clarify that fare evasion only is not a crime and have discontinued routine fare checks by police.
• Changed TriMet Code in February 2022 to further clarify that police do not conduct random fare checks by specifically prohibiting police from asking individuals for proof of fare. (Police officers may continue to be present during fare inspection activities by TriMet personnel and investigate other offenses, assist in identifying a person and intervene when needed for the safety of TriMet staff and riders. Only under the General Manager’s direction may Transit Police Officers temporarily conduct fare checks in response to specific security concerns.)

Enabling a safer, more welcoming transit system

Strengthening the TriMet Code through this ordinance is one piece of a larger strategy to increase security for riders and employees. Our goal is a transit system that’s safe and welcoming for all, where inappropriate behavior is dealt with—and dealt with fairly.

TriMet aims to keep both its operators and riders moving safely, and it’s important to have a means to hold people accountable for inappropriate, threatening or dangerous behavior. While the district attorney’s office determines punishments for crimes, those punishments don’t always include long-term exclusions from TriMet. 

Ordinance 369 would be one more way for TriMet to exert further accountability measures to improve the customer experience and protect employees. We look for ways to adapt to circumstances affecting our transit system and continuously move toward improvement. We’ve worked with community partners, riders and employees to identify solutions that focus on diversity, equity, access and inclusion. Learn more about our efforts to ensure fair access to our transit system at trimet.org/equity and follow our process to reimagine public safety at trimet.org/publicsafety.

The strategic alliance helps small businesses obtain or increase bonding for the performance of TriMet construction contracts over $100,000

A strategic alliance between TriMet and the Small Business Administration (SBA) is helping smaller contractors establish themselves in a competitive field. TriMet’s alliance with the SBA clears the way for small businesses to obtain or increase their bonding through surety bonds, allowing them to participate in TriMet construction contracts over $100,000.

Surety bonds are risk management tools that help small businesses win contracts. The SBA steps in to guarantee the surety bonds, effectively assuring that the work will be completed. It then passes them on to small businesses. This means more businesses like Bratton Construction, owned by Sharon Maxwell, can take advantage of opportunities. Bratton Construction is a woman-owned firm that’s been working out of Northeast Portland since 1999.

“This helps make sure there’s a continuum of work and cash flow available for smaller businesses like ours,” Maxwell said of her construction firm, which has completed more than 1,000 projects and created more than 200 local jobs since 1999. “It’s especially important for minority- and women-owned businesses and the BIPOC community. When we’re given access to capital, we throw down.”

“We are optimistic that this partnership with the SBA will help reduce bonding barriers and create more opportunities for small businesses looking to participate on our public contracts, resulting in a more diverse vendor pool,” TriMet’s Senior Contracts Equity Administrator Alfonso Romero said. “By initially having the SBA guarantee the surety bond, the objective is to enable small businesses to eventually become bondable on their own and grow their capacity.”

“We’re here to help small businesses do business with the government,” said SBA Portland District Director Martin Golden. “What makes today’s partnership important is that often public agencies such as TriMet have difficulty finding qualified small businesses to partner with. We’re excited to work with TriMet to increase the pipeline of small businesses who can take on these important infrastructure projects.”

Embracing growth

About 47% of the private sector workforce either owns or works for a small business. Providing more opportunities to that sector of the economy, particularly at a time when the labor market is tight, allows these businesses to continue thriving amid economic uncertainties.

Contracts with minority- and women-owned businesses like Bratton Construction let TriMet help lift up these firms and the people who work for them. Since 1982, TriMet has been working to break the barriers of entry for Disadvantaged Business Firms (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise firms to foster a more diverse workforce.  The alliance with the Small Business Administration also helps furnish TriMet with a previously untapped pipeline of qualified firms capable of taking on construction projects that will improve the transit system.

TriMet’s five-year contract with Bratton Construction will result in the firm completing bus layover repairs and upgrades, with the firm eligible for up to $1 million of work per year. First off, Bratton Construction will be working at the Gateway Transit Center to remove a bump-out curb for buses, providing better, more convenient access for riders and buses.

“This helps us to build capacity and to hire more people from the local community, provide living-wage jobs and opportunities, and bring on more executive management staffing that has the experience to manage these projects,” Maxwell said.

Partnering to spread opportunities

TriMet’s strategic alliance with the Small Business Administration is intended to develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship to strengthen and expand small business development in the Portland metro area. Generally, in order to be eligible for the surety bond guarantee program, a business must:

• Be a small business according to SBA’s size standards

• Have a small contract or can show your small business is bidding on a contract (up to $6.5 million for non-federal contracts and up to 10 million for federal contracts)

• Be able to meet the surety’s credit, capacity and character requirements

For more information about working with TriMet, go to trimet.org/procurement/sba-bonding. And to learn more about the SBA surety bond program here: sba.gov/osg.

Working with our community

TriMet’s DBE program is a nationally recognized model for improving diversity in transportation contracting. As we believe the businesses and people building our transit system should reflect the diversity of our region, our DBE program supports businesses owned by women and people of color. Through the programs DBEs have opportunities to serve as lead contractors and subcontractors on capital transit projects, especially those that receive federal funding. Learn more about our program at trimet.org/dbe.

Public feedback will help inform fare increase proposal that TriMet Board of Directors is expected to vote on in May 2023

TriMet wants to hear from riders and the community about a possible fare increase that would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The TriMet Board of Directors has asked staff to formalize a fare increase proposal for consideration at its May 24, 2023 business meeting. Public feedback gathered online and in person will help inform the final proposal that is brought before the Board.

No increase in base fare in more than a decade

While costs have gone up for fuel, water, garbage, utility, grocery and other services and products over the last decade, TriMet’s adult fare has stayed the same—at 2012 prices. That’s despite inflation and a 37% increase in the cost of running and maintaining our transit system. Among the rise in costs we’ve experienced, TriMet’s 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. 

After holding off on increasing our adult fare for as long as possible, a fare increase will help stabilize our financial future so that TriMet can continue providing the transit service our community relies on.

January 2024 fare increase proposal

Currently, the proposal calls for the following increases to begin 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

The proposal calls for no change to monthly and annual fares.  

Public outreach and engagement underway through Feb. 25, 2023

TriMet is kicking off a robust outreach and engagement effort to gather feedback about the fare increase proposal and how it might impact riders. There are a number of ways to share your thoughts, including an online survey, which is available in 13 languages, and in-person and virtual open houses.

Feedback  opportunities

• Online:
  trimet.org/fareproposal

• In-Person Open House:
  • Jan. 17, 4-6 p.m. – University of Oregon-Portland, 70 NW Couch St., Portland
  • Jan. 18, 5-7 p.m. – St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave., Portland
  • Jan. 19, 12-4 p.m. – Rosewood Initiative, 14127 SE Stark St., Portland
  • Jan. 24, 5-7 p.m. – Clackamas Community College-Harmony, 7738 SE Harmony Rd., Milwaukie
  • Jan. 25, 5-7 p.m. – Washington St. Conference Center, 102 SW Washington St., Hillsboro
  • Jan. 26, 5-7 p.m. – Fairview City Hall, 1300 NE Village St., Fairview
  • Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m. – Muslim Educational Trust, 10330 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Tigard
  
  Go to trimet.org/fareproposal for details about the open houses.

• Virtual Open House:
  • Jan. 18, 8-9 a.m.
  • Jan. 28, 9-10 a.m.
  • Jan. 28, 1:30-3 p.m.
  • Feb. 4, 9-10 a.m.
  
  Go to trimet.org/fareproposal for details about the virtual events.

• TriMet Board Meetings:
  • Sign up to speak at the public forum at the start of a monthly meeting of the TriMet Board of Directors.
  • People will also be able to testify after the reading of the fare increase ordinance at the Board’s April 26, 2023 meeting and during the public forum at the Board’s May 24, 2023 meeting.
  
  Go to trimet.org/meetings/board for details.

• Phone:
  • 503-238-RIDE (7433)
• Email:
  • hello@trimet.org.
• Mail:
  • TriMet Customer Service
    4012 SE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Community partnerships, reduced fares help people afford transit

TriMet understands a fare increase may be challenging for those on low and limited incomes, and we will continue our reduced fare program and other Access Transit programs that have been helping people who are struggling financially for years now.

TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare program allows seniors, 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. For frequent riders who use day passes five days a week, our Hop Fastpass™ monthly fare capping means they pay just 70 cents a day for the calendar month. In addition to that, those who qualify for the Honored Citizen reduced fare program based on their income level receive a free month of rides when they register for the program or re-enroll annually.

Since July 2018, when TriMet expanded the reduced fare program to those making up to 200% of the federal poverty level, more than 46,000 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, along with other support the organizations provide. 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/accesstransit. Youth age 6 and under ride free with an accompanying adult.  

Timeline for proposed fare increase

The first reading of the ordinance for the fare increase proposal will occur at the TriMet’s Board’s April 26, 2023 meeting, with a second reading and vote at its May 24, 2023 meeting.  All public comment will be shared with the Board before then.

Why fares are required

TriMet fares are an important source of funding for operations, and it is why we are able to provide extensive transit service across a 533-square-mile section of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties nearly 22 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TriMet more often hears from riders who want more service, rather than free service. In addition to operations, fares help pay for the buses and trains you ride in, the maintenance of those vehicles and the tracks our MAX trains run on, the shelters and benches at stops and stations, the information about when your bus or train will arrive, and so much more.

The agency used more than five million gallons of cleaner burning R99 diesel since December 2021, decreasing environmental pollution and lowering maintenance costs

What happens when you take hundreds of buses that travel millions of miles and run them on renewable diesel? You start making a big difference–for the environment and for the people who live, work and play across TriMet’s 533-square mile service district. Since Dec. 2, 2021, our nearly 700 fixed-route buses have run on R99, a blend of 99% renewable diesel and 1% petroleum. Our diesel LIFT paratransit vans and buses along with our diesel WES commuter rail trains made the switch to the greener, cleaner-burning fuel on May 1, 2022. In the past year, we’ve used more than five million gallons of R99, a move which created cleaner air for our community, reduced maintenance costs and helped TriMet exceed milestones on our road to net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The move to renewable diesel, combined with our shift to renewable electricity for the MAX light rail system and all TriMet-owned facilities in June 2021, reduced TriMet’s greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70%. We estimate that these climate actions will help TriMet avoid more than 193 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. That is equivalent to taking almost 19,000 automobiles off the road annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

What is renewable diesel?

Renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum, but it contains nearly no fossil carbon. It is made from 100% renewable and sustainable resources like natural fats, vegetable oils and greases. Also referred to as renewable hydrocarbon diesel, it produces fewer emissions, resulting in a cleaner, low-carbon fuel. 

R99 replaced the B5 biodiesel blend TriMet had been using in our buses since 2006. Unlike higher concentrations of biodiesel, renewable diesel requires no changes to engines. Renewable diesel is processed in the same way as petroleum and performs better than biodiesel in cold air. In addition, it requires no blending and burns cleaner than biodiesel or petroleum diesel. 

Benefits add up

As renewable diesel burns much cleaner than traditional diesel fuel as well as biodiesel, TriMet expects to see significant maintenance cost savings over time. Since making the transition to R99 in our fixed-route fleet one year ago, we have experienced a notable decrease in maintenance issues related to our buses’ emissions systems. That’s because renewable diesel is easier on the exhaust after-treatment systems that are installed on our buses. That ultimately lowers the time and cost required to maintain them. In fact, TriMet estimates annual maintenance cost savings could reach as much as $100,000 per year.

The road to net-zero emissions

As TriMet pursues net-zero emissions by 2050, our adoption of renewable energy helps meet milestones defined in our Climate Action Plan. By purchasing renewable electricity and renewable diesel in the past year, we estimate exceeding our 2022 goal for a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (from a 2020 baseline), by about 10%.

TriMet continues to test and vet electric bus technologies in our move to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. Earlier this year, we made our first bulk purchase of electric buses, 24 long-range battery-electric buses manufactured by GILLIG. The buses will start arriving in 2023, and will expand TriMet’s current electric bus fleet to 34 vehicles by mid-2024. We continue to explore the potential of emerging technologies including four diesel-to-electric conversion buses, and what is believed to be the world’s first 60-foot, articulated bus converted to 100% electric. Learn more at trimet.org/sustainability.

TriMet can take you to and from many of the season’s celebrations, but always plan ahead before you go

Following two years of virtual winter holiday events, TriMet is excited to welcome you back for this year’s tree lighting when it returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square in person on Friday, Nov. 25. Expect Portland’s living room to be bustling with holiday cheer beginning in the afternoon ahead of the 6 p.m. lighting.

With thousands anticipated to pack into Downtown for the event, we’ve got you covered and can help you get there and back home conveniently. But the crowd will also mean some adjustments to our service will be needed to help keep everyone safe and moving. Before leaving, check trimet.org and plan some extra time in case you experience delays.

Plan ahead, go early

In past years, as many as 15,000 people have made the trip Downtown for the tree lighting. A big crowd is expected this year as well to catch 14,000 lights blink to life on a 75-foot-tall Douglas Fir —and all the fanfare surrounding it!

We suggest planning your trip in advance and heading to the celebration early.

MAX service

Starting Friday afternoon, TriMet will be adjusting MAX service through Downtown due to crowds. From 3-7 p.m., MAX Blue and Red line trains will stop serving both the north and south Pioneer Courthouse Square stops, while the MAX Green and Yellow lines will bypass the Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Station. During the closures, trains will stop at the stations for safety but will not open their doors.

Bus service

Bus stops along a portion of Portland’s Transit Mall will also be affected. From 4-7 p.m., all bus lines on SW 6th Avenue (1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 12, 17, 19, 35, 36, 43, 44, 54, 56, 94 and 99), along with C-TRAN buses, will not serve stops between SW Salmon and Washington streets. Buses will detour via SW 4th Avenue.

Around the time that Santa Claus flips the light switch at 6 p.m., riders should expect delays extending into the evening. Trains will stop for longer to allow people to safely leave the square. We’ll get the trains rolling and back on schedule as soon as possible!

Other sparkling holiday events

Downtown’s Pioneer Courthouse Square celebration won’t be the only holiday tree-lighting event this year. And for many of the others, TriMet can be your safe, reliable and convenient travel option. Here are a few events where TriMet provides quick and easy access:

• Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting: 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, Gresham’s Arts Plaza, 401 NE Second St.

Gresham is kicking off the holidays with its annual tree lighting at the Arts Plaza, located within walking distance of the Gresham Central Transit Center, served by MAX Blue Line.

• Beaverton Winter Lights Holiday Bazaar and Tree Lighting Event: 2-7 p.m.,Beaverton City Park, SW Hall Boulevard and SW Third Street.

Beaverton’s celebration promises to be a day filled with festivities culminating in the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at Beaverton Central Park. The park is located about a half mile from Beaverton Central MAX Station, served by MAX Blue Line. A number of bus lines also stop near or around the park. To plan your trip, go to trimet.org/planner.

• Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting: 4-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, South Downtown Plaza, 11222 SE Main St.

Milwaukie’s tradition of decorating umbrellas and parading them through downtown before the tree lighting continues this year at the South Downtown Plaza. The plaza, located at 11222 SE Main St, is just a three minute walk from Milwaukie/Main St MAX Station, served by MAX Orange Line.

Just remember, a day pass costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for youth (ages 7-17) and honored citizens (ages 65+). Kids 6 and younger ride free. Make sure you tap the Hop reader with your contactless credit/debit card, phone equipped with a mobile wallet or your physical or virtual Hop card (stored on your phone) every time you board. It’s your proof of payment.  

Be safe and courteous

We hope you have a happy and safe time at whatever holiday celebration you attend this year. With more people out and about, remember to be aware of your surroundings and courteous to others. Pay special attention while crossing MAX tracks and streets. Bring a light or wear reflective clothing if you can to help stay visible, and above all have a great time!

Annual holiday detours of 11 bus lines begin on Black Friday, return for season’s busiest shopping days through December 26

It’s that time of year, when TriMet teams up with holiday helpers to keep people moving around Clackamas Town Center. The influx of shoppers on the busiest days of the season can bring parking lots to a standstill. That’s why we’re getting ready for our annual holiday detours around the mall, to help our riders avoid congestion and do our part to keep everyone moving. 

Starting Friday, Nov. 25, we will begin detours on 11 bus lines that serve the mall at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Sunnyside Road. The detours are temporary and will be in place between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on select dates through Monday, Dec. 26. We understand that this temporary change will mean some inconvenience for our riders, and we thank them for their patience as we do our best to keep the “Bah! Humbug!” out of the holiday season!

2022 holiday detour details

Lines

• 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 71, 72, 79, 152, 155, 156

Dates

• Friday, Nov. 25
• Saturday, Dec. 17 – Saturday, Dec. 24
• Monday, Dec. 26

Hours

• 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The Clackamas Town Center Transit Center will remain open, and the detour will not affect MAX Green Line service. We encourage riders to plan an extra 15 minutes for travel while the detour is in place.

Temporary stop locations

• When detours are in effect, bus stops near the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center will be closed. These stops (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 closed and 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 12922).
• 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).
• Signs will be posted and Customer Service staff will be on hand at the closed stops to help riders find their buses and answer questions.

Tips for going from a bus to the MAX Green Line

• Stay onboard your bus and continue to SE Fuller Rd MAX Station.
• Board a bus at the temporary stop between the cinema and Monterey Avenue and transfer to MAX at the SE Fuller Rd MAX Station.
• 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.

Tips for going from the MAX Green Line to a bus

• Proceed about ½ mile from Clackamas Town Center Transit Center to Clackamas Town Center Mall stop (ID 12922) to catch a bus.
• Get off MAX at SE Fuller Rd MAX Station and board a bus at the temporary stop in the parking lot.

Thank you and happy holidays!

We appreciate our riders’ understanding as we make adjustments to safely and efficiently serve the community. If you need help or have questions, our Customer Service team is available by phone and text at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) and on Twitter @trimethelp from 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Happy Holidays from TriMet!

The initial improvements, part of TriMet’s extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro, are scheduled to finish this weekend

The first phase of trackway construction for TriMet’s A Better Red MAX reliability and extension project near Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport is on schedule to finish on time this weekend.  

MAX Blue Line trains will resume regular service Sunday, Nov. 20, following an eight-day disruption for construction that is part of TriMet’s multi-year A Better Red project. The work is laying the foundation to extend the MAX Red Line west 10 stations, from Beaverton Transit Center to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport. This section of the light rail system dates back to TriMet’s Westside Blue Line extension.

Improvements to Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport

Crews have been working since Nov. 12 to improve components of the light rail system near the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport MAX Station. Once TriMet completes work on A Better Red in 2024, the station will be the new west side terminus for the MAX Red Line, the end result of a 10-station service extension of the line from Beaverton Transit Center into Hillsboro.

When it was completed in the 1990s, an auxiliary track at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport wasn’t planned to accommodate regular train movements. Crews have been working to make important improvements that will allow more trains to move around each other, including replacing critical track components used to turn back trains. They do this by crossing from one track to the other. Crews have also been replacing switch machines to automatically align the track direction—the devices that physically move parts of the track—along with worn, wooden rail ties.

In addition to preparing Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport for more train traffic in the future, crews have also been taking the opportunity to revitalize other parts of the system between Orenco/NW 231^st Ave and Hatfield Government Center. They’ve been grinding the rail and clearing brush and debris to help create smoother, more enjoyable trips for our riders.

Since the start of the project, field staff, customer service personnel, volunteer Ride Guides and others have been out at key locations to help riders navigate the changes. We appreciate our riders’ patience and understanding as crews spend the next few days completing the project.

A Better Red

Since 2001, the MAX Red Line has provided a convenient, cost effective way for riders to go to and from Portland International Airport, jobs and other destinations. As our region grows, it’s important for transit to grow with it to connect more people to the places that matter to them. With A Better Red, not only will the Red Line be extended 10 stations west into Hillsboro, additional improvements around the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport will improve train traffic by alleviating bottlenecks that impact the entire rail system.

“The City is ready to welcome the Red Line into the heart of Hillsboro,” said Don Odermott, Transportation’s System Director for the City of Hillsboro. “With the future terminus at Hillsboro Airport/Fair Complex Station, this extension provides the service and frequency for our community that we envisioned when we celebrated its grand opening in 1998.”

Crews have been working on the project since breaking ground in September 2021:

• Constructing two new light rail bridges, including the installation of steel girders to a bridge over I-84 in September and concrete girders to the second bridge over existing MAX tracks in October.
• Moving a 200-foot section of special trackway to make room for the bridges.
• Constructing retaining walls that will support tracks connecting the bridges.
• Working along the trackway at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport to build a new walkway for MAX operators.
• Constructing a new breakroom at Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport for operators.
• Relocating utilities near Portland International Airport to make room for a second track.

We are very appreciative of our riders and thank them for their understanding and support as we work to make A Better Red. For more on the project, visit trimet/org/bettered.