TriMet News

  • TriMet ranked by Forbes as one of the top places to work in Oregon

    Join the agency that keeps the greater Portland metro region moving!

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

    Take it from our employees: TriMet is one of the best places to work in Oregon!

    Forbes Magazine recently ranked TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon. In that listing, TriMet is the number one Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as the top “Transportation and Logistics” employer in the state. The Forbes listing of the America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024 comes from a survey of employees in each state.

    “This honor reflects TriMet’s dedication to our employees and our community,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “Our employees are the heart and soul of TriMet. We could not provide the transit service so many people rely on without their hard work and determination. And, as we work to support our employees in all aspects of their work, we know they in turn help connect our riders to opportunities throughout our region.”

    TriMet employs more than 3,500 people. Our diverse workforce reflects the community and people we serve. We’re continuing to hire and add to our growing team, which includes bus and rail operators, mechanics, safety and security personnel, maintenance service workers, dispatchers, planners and schedulers, and more.

    TriMet keeps our region on the move

    TriMet has been serving the Portland metro region since 1969. That’s nearly 55 years of getting people where they need to go!

    We operate bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service across TriMet’s 533-square-mile service area, which includes parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

    TriMet plays a central role in the daily life, transportation and economy of our region. In September 2024, we provided about 1.3 million rides a week. The Portland metro area enjoys the 13th-largest transit ridership in the country, even though it is only the 23rd-largest metro area in the country.

    Many of our riders rely on TriMet to get to work, school, health care and other services. Others choose TriMet because it’s an accessible, affordable and sustainable way to travel throughout the Portland metro region. And, our employees come to TriMet for rewarding work, financial stability and opportunities for growth.

    TriMet MAX train in Downtown Portland.

    Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Wages & benefits

    TriMet’s top Forbes rating comes from a survey of employees, and it reflects why TriMet is a great place to work.  Whether it’s stepping into a great family-wage job, providing a public service to the community, exploring opportunities for advancement, charting a new career path, improving job skills, continuing education or saving for retirement, you can do it at TriMet. We offer benefits and programs to meet our employees’ needs and help turn their dreams into reality.

    We offer competitive salaries and have excellent benefits that can save employees tens or hundreds of dollars every month over most private employers. Among the benefits:

    • Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans at low or no monthly cost
    • Optional health care coverage for spouses, domestic partners and dependents
    • Health and dependent care spending accounts
    • Two retirement plans, including a 401(a) plan with employer contribution of up to 8-10%
    • Paid vacation and sick leave
    • Annual transit pass (valued up to $1,200) for employee and eligible family members

    More than 2,800 TriMet employees are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, a valued partner to TriMet. Working together, TriMet and the union recently negotiated a four-year contract that expands benefits and gives union workers a 13.64% pay increase. This new Working and Wage Agreement takes effect Dec. 1, 2024. The agreement isn’t just good for TriMet employees — it also supports the work we’re doing to make our transit system cleaner and more reliable, so riders will benefit as well.

    Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Supportive & welcoming work environment

    TriMet’s commitment to our employees stretches from support across many avenues to development that extends far beyond traditional training.

    TriMet employees have access to financial coaching, estate planning, counseling and more through TriMet’s Employee Assistance Program. This program provides individualized and confidential support that is available to every TriMet employee. Also, peer-to-peer support is available to employees through our Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Team members undergo intensive training on mental health and coping resources to help coworkers through stressful or traumatic incidents, supporting our employees’ well-being.

    Employees can take advantage of another TriMet benefit to stay physically fit. For a low monthly fee, we offer 24-hour access to five fitness centers for TriMet employees and their families. These fitness centers are conveniently located at facilities where many of our employees work, so they can hit the gym or even take an exercise class before or after their shift.

    TriMet also offers learning and leadership courses that are open to all employees. Our Engage, Empower and Expand (E3) Learning Program is designed to help employees thrive by offering a wide range of classes, with topics such as project management, effective communication and creating inclusive environments. We partner with Portland Community College to bring in industry-leading instructors, giving employees access to high-quality, college-level learning experiences — at no cost to employees. On average, we see about 1,500 enrollments per year. 

    Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values at TriMet. We welcome and support employees of all backgrounds. Any employee can choose to participate in one or more of TriMet’s Employee Resource Groups. We have nine of these resource groups, and counting — each a community of employees with shared life experiences, offering them an inclusive space to socialize, reflect, innovate and grow.

    Why employees rank TriMet as the best Oregon-based employer: Room for advancement & longevity

    Our employees have opportunities to advance in their careers at TriMet. We promote from within for many management positions. Certain jobs — like our transportation supervisors, who help keep our system running every day — are only open to internal applicants.

    We’re expanding mentorship opportunities for employees, helping them improve their job skills and develop new ones. We pair up employees as mentors and mentees for nine months, fostering meaningful professional relationships and sharing knowledge across TriMet.

    We have dozens of employees who have been with TriMet for decades. More than 70 current employees have at least 30 years of service at TriMet. We recognize long-tenured employees with service awards, celebrating their many years of helping move our region forward. Just this past summer, one of our dedicated bus operators received an award for 40 years of service, a remarkable milestone — although still not the longest tenure for an active employee!

    For some of our employees, TriMet is a family affair. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives have all worked alongside each other at TriMet, Forbes’ top Oregon-based employer. In one family, three generations of women have taken the wheel for TriMet over the decades, serving our region through times of growth and change.

    TriMet is hiring and offering bonuses for some positions

    Learn what our employees know! Join Team TriMet. We’re hiring bus and MAX operators, maintenance service workers, mechanics and technicians, and others. New hires at certain positions are eligible for hiring bonuses, including a $7,500 bonus for new operators and a $2,500 for select maintenance positions! Check out our complete list of open positions at trimet.org/careers

    About Forbes’ list of America’s Best-In-State Employers

    TriMet is honored to be recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024. According to Forbes and its partner Statista Inc., the list is based on “an independent survey from a vast sample of over 160,000 employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S. The ranking is open to companies from all industry sectors. Around 4.4 million employer evaluations were considered. The consideration of data from 3 years allowed a robust differentiation between organizations that consistently perform well from those that may only have had a single good year.”

    According to Statista Inc., an employer’s final score is based upon two types of employee evaluations:

    1.      Personal Evaluations: Employees’ willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family

    2.      Public Evaluations: Recommendations from friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry- also known as indirect evaluations

    About Statista Inc.

    From Statista: “Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.”

  • TriMet Earns Top Credit Ratings Once Again: A Sign of Financial Strength and Stability in TriMet’s ability to repay the Senior Lien Payroll Tax Revenue bonds

    For the seventh consecutive year, TriMet has achieved the highest possible bond rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), an independent financial institution known for assessing the creditworthiness of government agencies.  The AAA rating is in relation to our Senior Lien Payroll Tax Revenue Bonds and our ability to repay those bonds.

    TriMet’s AAA rating reflects a solid vote of confidence in our ability to manage our finances responsibly and remain resilient in the face of economic challenges. Similar top-tier ratings last year from Moody’s (Aaa) and previously from Standard & Poor’s (AAA), two additional leading credit rating agencies, place TriMet in an elite group, underscoring our role as a financially stable transit agency.

    What Does an AAA Rating Mean?

    In simple terms, an AAA rating is the highest possible rating level a public agency can receive and signals that the agency is considered a low-risk investment by financial experts. This means that TriMet’s creditworthiness has weathered difficult economic times without putting our finances—or the services we provide—at risk.

    These ratings directly affect how we can borrow money for major projects, enabling TriMet to secure better terms and lower interest rates. This, in turn, allows TriMet to reinvest in our transit system, improve service, purchase new vehicles, and fund key infrastructure projects like the recently completed A Better Red MAX extension.

    According to KBRA’s latest report, TriMet’s payroll tax revenues have shown “resilience during economic downturns” and benefit from “a diverse and strong economic base.” The report praised TriMet for our ability to manage our resources carefully, with KBRA affirming that TriMet’s payroll taxes—our primary source of funding—are a highly stable and reliable revenue stream.

    Solid Financial Management in Action

    TriMet’s continued strong ratings are the result of careful financial planning and oversight. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many industries faced sharp declines, TriMet’s revenue from payroll taxes continued to grow. This stability is driven by the economic diversity in the Portland metro area, where the taxes collected from employers and self-employed individuals fund much of TriMet’s operations and capital projects.

    Our ongoing financial health also comes from our conservative approach to debt. While TriMet has issued debt to fund important projects, we remain well within our debt policy limits. KBRA noted that TriMet’s strong debt service coverage and the safeguards in place to prevent over-borrowing help ensure long-term financial stability. “TriMet’s ability to maintain high debt service coverage margins demonstrates its careful and effective financial management,” the report noted.

    Investing in Our Future

    TriMet’s consistent AAA ratings don’t just reflect financial stability—they provide the foundation for significant, long-term investments that will shape the future of Portland’s transit system. These ratings allow TriMet to secure favorable financing, ensuring that we can continue expanding and modernizing our network to meet the needs of a growing population.

    Looking ahead, TriMet plans to issue additional bonds starting in early fiscal year 2026, further fueling projects critical to enhancing service, improving infrastructure, and keeping our region moving. Our strong financial outlook ensures that even with new investments, TriMet will continue to manage resources responsibly—delivering not just today’s essential transit services but also building a sustainable, resilient system for the future. For more details on TriMet’s bond ratings and financial plans, visit TriMetBonds.com.

    About TriMet

    TriMet provides bus, light rail, commuter rail and paratransit services in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We connect people to opportunity, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making our community a better place to live.

  • TriMet begins rolling out new security phones at MAX stations

    Blue-light phones give people a direct line of communication with TriMet’s security staff around the clock

    A new resource for connecting to TriMet’s 24/7 security hotline has started to appear at MAX stations. To seek it out, just look for the blue light. In a first for TriMet, “blue-light security phones” are being installed at most MAX platforms, starting this week at the Rose Quarter Transit Center and the Convention Center Station. It’s the latest in a series of ongoing efforts to comprehensively address our riders’ safety concerns and deter crime. 

    The devices themselves are bright red towers with the word “Security” written down the side. They will also be easy to spot, day or night, due to the blue lights at the top. The phones let people connect immediately with TriMet security staff at the press of a button. The blue lights serve two purposes: they signal the location of the phones to those who need to use them in the dark, and they act as a crime deterrent. The phones also come equipped with cameras, giving TriMet’s security team more views of our station areas and show the person calling.

    The first phones have been installed at the Rose Quarter and Convention Center MAX stations. TriMet will continue installing the phones in the coming weeks at our MAX stations along Interstate 84 between the Rose Quarter area and the Gateway Transit Center. TriMet’s long-term goal is to have the phones at most MAX stations and transit centers across our transit system.

    Contacting TriMet security

    The phones are just another resource as TriMet continues our focus on safety and providing  people with more peace of mind when they’re using the transit system. 

    In recent years, we’ve increased our frontline safety and security staff to more than 460 personnel, and in 2023 we added a 24-hour-a-day security hotline. Just like with the new security phones, riders can reach our security staff on their own phones by texting or calling 503-238-7433 (RIDE). For emergency matters that require police, riders should contact 911 directly. The blue-light security phones add to the more than 8,000 cameras already on the system and, like those, can be monitored in real-time.

    Whether it’s reporting suspicious behavior, notifying us of graffiti or vandalism or requesting assistance, we want to hear from you. This allows us to take action and ensure our riders’ safety. For more information, visit trimet.org/security.

    Why blue-light phones?

    Despite the widespread use of mobile devices, blue-light security phones continue to demonstrate their value more than 30 years after they were first invented and installed at the University of Chicago. Today, nearly every college campus in the United States has them. Locally, Portland State University, the University of Portland and Portland Community College have them. Grocery stores and other transit agencies have begun adopting them as well.

    Blue-light security phones have been shown to increase overall awareness around security, deterring crimes from being attempted in the first place. After Rice University installed them in 2010, the school reported a decrease in crime, including a 68% drop in burglaries.

    While mobile phones are portable, not everyone has one handy. Even if they do, it may have low or no battery, and in a high-stress situation, it might be easier to push a button. There are also times when cell service drops completely, making blue-light security phones another layer of security and communication on our transit system.

  • [VIDEO] Next stop: campus! Schools team up with TriMet for new bus service on Line 25

    Brand-new bus stop at the heart of Mt. Hood Community College’s campus helps connect students with home, work and other destinations

    A blue and orange TriMet bus serves Line 25-Glisan/Troutdale Rd's stop at the Mt. Hood Community College campus.

    Students returning to Mt. Hood Community College for the fall term are finding something new on campus: a TriMet bus stop.

    Mt. Hood Community College is the new endpoint for Line 25-Glisan/Troutdale Rd, which runs between the college campus in Gresham and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center in outer Northeast Portland.

    The new bus service is ultra-convenient for students. The bus stop is just up the stairs and past the fountain from the student union and other major hubs of campus life. Line 25 also links them with the regional transit system, with connections to the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines at the Gateway Transit Center, plus more than a dozen other bus lines.

    We recently extended Line 25 to Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale and Northeast Gresham. It now serves both Mt. Hood Community College and Reynolds High School, among other destinations. In addition, Line 25 now runs on all days, with buses arriving every 30 minutes for most of the day.

    Traci Simmons, Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mt. Hood Community College, calls it a “game-changer” for Mt. Hood students.

    A redesigned line

    Line 25 was one of several bus lines that saw major upgrades as part of our most recent service improvements, which we rolled out Aug. 25. These improvements are part of TriMet’s Forward Together service concept: a new vision for how we provide bus service throughout our tri-county area.

    The goal of Forward Together is to increase ridership and make bus a better option for more people, particularly those with low or limited income. That’s a challenge that many students at Mt. Hood Community College face.

    Many students “don’t have access to a lot of resources like money, or gas, or even a car,” says Isaias Damian Figueroa, a second-year student. He usually rides his bike to school, or he catches another bus at a stop that is a lot further from his home. Line 25 runs right past his neighborhood, though — and he says now that it connects his home to campus, he’ll be taking the bus a lot more often.

    Daniela Cabrales, another student and part-time employee at Mt. Hood Community College, says she’s already seeing a lot of fellow students on the bus. She calls it a “great resource,” both for Mt. Hood students and others who live in the community. About 30,000 people live within one-quarter mile of the extended Line 25.

    Valued partnerships

    TriMet serves a 533-square-mile area that includes parts of three counties. As we add service, we’re guided by the input we receive from members of the community. The feedback we hear from riders helps to shape the decisions we make about where, when and how often we run buses.

    We also value our relationships! Mt. Hood Community College and the Reynolds School District are trusted partners of TriMet. For years, we’ve worked with them on fare programs that put transit passes in the hands of students. When our partners asked for more direct bus service, we listened — and answered, with the expanded service we’re providing on Line 25.

    “TriMet has been helping us with providing Hop cards and passes and ways for students to get on and off campus for a long time,” says Simmons. “This is just that next level.”

    Line 25 is an example of how TriMet is working with community partners to improve connections and expand access to opportunities throughout the region. On the same week we rolled out this new and improved service between East Multnomah County and Northeast Portland, we also:

    • Created a new bus line, Line 153-Stafford/Salamo, in response to requests from residents and local officials in Lake Oswego and West Linn for a connector between the two cities.
    • Added midday service on Line 29-Lake/Webster Rd, answering Clackamas County’s call for more buses to serve its new Lake Road Health Center.
    • Extended the MAX Red Line to the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station, a long-anticipated service improvement sought by business and community leaders in Washington County and the Port of Portland.

    Those are just a handful of the service upgrades we made in August — and there’s more to come! We’ll continue to roll out more Forward Together improvements in the coming months. Stay tuned for more details.

  • Considering a career with TriMet? Learn more, apply, even interview at hiring event

    Join our team! We’re looking for operators, maintenance workers, mechanics and more — and offering big hiring bonuses for some jobs

    Join the TriMet team and jump start a career with opportunities for advancement.

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

    Competitive pay. Great benefits. Opportunities for advancement.

    That’s what’s waiting for you when you join Oregon’s largest transportation service provider — TriMet.

    We’re eager to continue improving and expanding our service, and that depends on bringing more operators, mechanics and support staff on board. Find out what it’s like to work for TriMet, ask questions, apply for open positions and maybe even interview on the spot on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at our hiring event. See if you have what it takes to join our team of nearly 3,500 employees and counting!

    What’s on offer?

    Whether you’ve pictured yourself behind the controls of a MAX train, at the wheel of a bus or tuning up a diesel engine, TriMet’s big hiring event is for you! We also have entry level jobs too, including service worker positions starting at $22.62/an hour.

    We invite anyone interested in a job with TriMet to join us for this hiring event. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah St. in Portland. This venue in the Lloyd District is accessible by the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines, TriMet bus lines 8, 70 and 77, and Portland Streetcar’s A and B loops. Plan your trip at trimet.org!

    For job seekers driving to the event, free parking will be available on-site.

    Check out our complete list of open positions at trimet.org/careers. Job descriptions are available, including salary ranges, minimum qualifications and areas of responsibility.

    We’re hiring transit operators, maintenance service workers, mechanics and technicians, among other positions. These serve vital functions at TriMet, allowing us to provide and add service throughout our tri-county service area.

    New hires at certain positions are eligible for hiring bonuses, including a $7,500 bonus for new bus and MAX operators, and a $2,500 for select maintenance positions!

    TriMet approved a new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 last month. Under this new contract, the hourly wage for operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years!

    About TriMet

    TriMet provides transit service throughout much of the Portland metro area. We operate bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service across parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

    Established in 1969, TriMet is a municipal corporation of the State of Oregon. Our nearly 3,500 workers are public employees.

    TriMet offers great benefits for employees, job stability and a welcoming, supportive work environment. Some of our operators have been driving for us for more than 30 years! TriMet provides affordable medical, dental and vision plans, and other amenities for employees. Coming in the years ahead are new perks for union employees, including $150 monthly childcare subsidy, $5,200 in annual tuition reimbursement and an increase to 10% for the employer contribution to each union employee’s 401(a) retirement plan.

    Check out trimet.org/careers to learn more, or drop by and meet us at the hiring event on Oct. 9.

  • Survey shows approval of TriMet increasing as agency investments in safety, security and cleanliness get noticed

    Annual survey found improved opinions of TriMet service and safety among both riders and non-riders but large gap remains between those who use the system and those who do not

    At TriMet, we’re making transit better, with service that comes more often and helps you reach your destinations faster. We’re adding safety and security personnel and expanding our Clean Team for a better experience when riding. We’re connecting more people to opportunities throughout our region, and riders are noticing that it’s getting better on board. That’s according to the results of our 2024 Attitude & Awareness Survey that show overall approval of the job TriMet increased five percentage points over last year, with approval of bus service, improved by the rollout of the Forward Together Service Concept, up by seven percentage points.

    Measuring community sentiment

    The purpose of TriMet’s annual Attitude & Awareness Survey is to help measure community perceptions among both those who ride and those who do not and gain insight into the opinions of our agency and the area we serve. More than 4,000 people participated in this year’s survey, which was done online and via phone from April 27 to May 31, 2024. Some 68% of those surveyed said transit is one of the primary ways they get around.

    The 2024 report found opinions around TriMet service, safety and reliability holding steady or improving in most categories and perceptions of how things are going in the Portland metro area improving as well. Yet half of those surveyed said Portland is still on the wrong track. 

    Approval higher among those who use TriMet’s service

    The 2024 Attitude & Awareness Survey showed TriMet’s ongoing focus on safety, security and cleanliness is making a difference. The survey found that 73%, or nearly three out of four people, either strongly or somewhat approve of the job that TriMet is doing. That’s five percentage points higher than in 2023. 

    TriMet’s surveys consistently show that our riders’ perception of our transit system is much higher than those whose opinions are based on what they have heard about it, and that was again reflected in the 2024 survey. Nearly eight out of 10 riders (77%) approved of the job that TriMet is doing; only 44% of non-riders shared that positive view. While the gap between the sentiment of those who use our transit service versus the opinions of what people have heard about it remains large, the approval of non-riders increased by 6% over last year. 

    Is Portland on the right track?

    In general, the 2024 survey found consensus around the idea that things are getting better – not only on TriMet but also in the City of Portland. For the first time in more than a decade, perceptions around Portland’s direction showed a positive trend. For 2024, about half of all respondents said the Portland area was on the wrong track, but that’s a marked drop from 64% just one year ago. Similarly, about a quarter of all respondents said the Portland area is headed in the right direction, an increase from 18%, in 2023.

    The survey also provided a look at how and where people throughout the region are working. About 40% of people who responded have no option to work from home; they must report to a work site. Of those who said they could work from home, about 70% had a hybrid work schedule that allowed them to work from home at least several times per week. 

    Forward Together helps drive bus system approval

    TriMet’s bus service improvements coming out of our Forward Together Service Concept seem to be fueling optimism, especially among riders. 

    Created with the community to address travel changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Forward Together has two primary goals: increasing ridership and improving connections for people with low and limited incomes. From expanding the number of lines that have buses arriving every 15 minutes for most of the day, every day, to adding midday and weekend service, and adjusting routes so they’re faster and more direct, Forward Together has been a game changer for bus service in recent years. 

    Approval of the bus system increased by seven percentage points between 2023 and 2024, to 77%. Among riders only, the approval reached 81%, up from 74% last year. 

    Opinions of the MAX system in 2024 remained unchanged but mostly positive at 76%. This comes amid the three-year-long A Better Red project. TriMet’s biggest light rail project in nearly a decade, it required sections of the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines to be disrupted for weeks at a time. The project was completed in late August 2024, with the opening of the 10-station extension of the Red Line into Hillsboro. This gives more people a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport and reduces wait times for trains to just 7-8 minutes during most of the day in a growing section of Washington County. The project also made track improvements between PDX and Gateway Transit Center that are keeping trains moving MAX systemwide. 

    More than 2 out of 3 riders express satisfaction 

    The 2024 Attitude & Awareness Survey found that most people who ride TriMet buses and trains – about 68% – are satisfied with their overall experience, with about 23% saying they are “very satisfied.” Overall rider satisfaction increased slightly from 2023. Regular and frequent riders appear to have the most favorable opinions, with nearly 40% saying they would “enthusiastically recommend” TriMet to friends and family.  

    Focus continues on safety and security investments, perceptions 

    TriMet continues to focus on safety and security investments and the perception of safety on our transit system improved slightly in 2024, to 68% from 67% the previous year. Serious incidents are rare on our transit system, which provides more than 1.3 million rides per week—resulting in one call to police for every 13,580 trips taken on TriMet in 2023.

    One of the starkest contrasts of the 2024 survey was around opinions of safety and security. The survey asked, “From what you know or may have heard, how safe would you feel riding TriMet buses or MAX trains?” While nearly 60% of bus riders said they would feel safe riding, only 20%, or one in five, non-riders perceived they would be safe. For MAX, 45% of riders said they would feel safe, with only 19% of non-riders feeling the same way, based on what they’ve heard.

    About 46% of those surveyed said personal safety concerns have kept them from riding MAX at times, with about 37% saying they had opted out of a bus trip due to concerns. 

    The primary reason people felt unsafe while riding was “other riders’ behavior.” The second reason was “lack of Transit Police” and the third was “time of day.” 

    While riders are seeing and experiencing what non-riders are not, TriMet will continue adding personnel and efforts to advance safety on our system. We currently have more personnel dedicated to safety and security than ever before, with more than 460 field staff and contractors discouraging unwanted behavior, responding to incidents and educating people about our rules for riding

    Riders also have a valuable resource that we’ve added in the past year: TriMet’s 24-hour security hotline: 503-238-7433 (RIDE). We strongly encourage riders to text or call the number to report non-urgent concerns. Dispatchers in our Security Operations Center then alert TriMet safety or security team members who are nearby to the issue. Emergencies will always be handled by the police, so for urgent matters, we urge riders to contact 911 and alert the operator.

    Cleanliness is another area of emphasis. The latest survey results come on the heels of the introduction of TriMet’s enhanced cleaning efforts, spearheaded in late 2023, with a focus on sprucing up and deep cleaning MAX stations, transit centers and park and rides, along with more cleaning of our buses and trains.

    About the survey

    Communications, marketing and research firm, PRR, conducted TriMet’s 2024 Attitude & Awareness Survey between April 27 and May 31, 2024. They received more than 4,200 valid responses – our highest-ever level of participation. The survey was offered in six languages; however, the vast majority of responses – more than 98% – were in English. Participation was incentivized with an entry into a drawing for a $100 gift card. All three Portland metro counties were represented in the responses, with 63% coming from Multnomah County. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 1.27%. PRR is a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), based out of Seattle.

  • New members bring added passion for uplifting marginalized communities, youth to TriMet Board of Directors

    Erin Graham and JT Flowers join the Board and begin serving in new roles on Oct. 1

    With confirmation by the Oregon Senate, TriMet’s Board of Directors welcomes two new members: Erin Graham and JT Flowers. Selected by Gov. Tina Kotek, the new members will fill seats vacated by former Board President and District 2 Director Ozzie Gonzalez and retiring District 5 Director Keith Edwards. In their current professional roles, Graham and Flowers hold high-level positions with local nonprofit organizations that have missions focused on engaging, educating and empowering the community. The new TriMet Board members are passionate about improving outcomes for youth and people who have been historically marginalized. Now, their volunteer roles with TriMet, which begin Oct. 1, 2024, will bring them together with the full seven-member TriMet Board, to carry out the important work that keeps our region moving.

    Erin Graham, representing TriMet District 2

    Erin Graham joins the TriMet Board of Directors as the representative of District 2, which covers a large swath of Portland, including neighborhoods in Northwest, South, Southwest and Downtown. Graham currently serves as President and CEO of OMSI. She has worked with the nonprofit in various roles, including COO, for more than a decade. She sees her role on the TriMet Board as a relationship-builder, engaging with and stewarding diverse partners and community relationships. Her vision for transit includes shared economic prosperity and environmental stewardship, driven by innovation.

    “Investing in upgrading and electrifying public transportation and increasing ridership are critical to reaching our climate goals and reducing impacts on human health,” Graham said.

    Before OMSI, Graham worked in nonprofit fundraising, operations and as in-house counsel for arts and technology industries. She holds a JD/MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. Graham is a member of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon as well as the International Women’s Forum

    JT Flowers, representing TriMet District 5

    JT Flowers will represent District 5 on the TriMet Board of Directors, which covers large portions of North and Northeast Portland. An inner Northeast Portland native, Flowers currently serves as the Director of Government Affairs and Communications at Albina Vision Trust. His work centers around placemaking, economic development and generational wealth-building for Black and historically displaced Portlanders.

    “Transit is inherently a question of equity,” Flowers said in his application to serve on the Board.

    As someone who spent his childhood riding TriMet bus lines 6 and 72 and the MAX, Flowers vowed to center his decisions on the region’s “most marginalized communities.” He believes transit creates opportunities, not only through connectivity but also with technology and innovation.

    “I’m extremely interested in working creatively to leverage expansion and fleet electrification as a generational workforce development opportunity for working-class and under-represented Oregonians,” he said.

    Flowers also serves on the board of Williams & Russell CDC. He previously worked in the office of Rep. Earl Blumenauer as a field representative, consultant for the nonprofit Campaign Zero and as a public lands coordinator for a nature conservation nonprofit.

    At 30 years of age, Flowers will be the youngest member of the TriMet Board. He is a first-generation graduate of Yale University, the first Black Rhodes Scholar in Oregon’s history, a Truman Scholar and holds master’s degrees in U.S. History and Music Performance from the University of Oxford.   

    Graham and Flowers are fulfilling partial terms that run through May 31, 2026 and May 24, 2026 respectively. Board members serve at the pleasure of the governor and can be appointed for up to two, four-year terms.

    About the Board of Directors

    With Graham and Flowers’ appointments confirmed, all seven directors on TriMet’s Board have been seated:

    • Thomas Kim, Vice President and District 1
    • Erin Graham, District 2
    • Robert Kellogg, District 3
    • Tyler Frisbee, District 4
    • JT Flowers, District 5
    • Dr. LaVerne Lewis, President and District 6
    • Kathy Wai, Secretary/Treasurer and District 7

    TriMet’s Board of Directors provides financial stewardship of the agency’s annual budget, which totaled $1.9 billion for the 2025 Fiscal Year that began on July 1, 2024. In addition to fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities, Board members appoint the general manager, help set high-level agency policy, and implement legislation on transit operations. They also serve in liaison roles on special advisory groups and committees. For more information about the TriMet Board, visit trimet.org/board.

    TriMet Board business meetings are typically held once per month. The next meeting – the first for the two new Board members in their official capacity – is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23.

  • TriMet Board approves new labor contract aimed at keeping transit moving

    New four-year Working and Wage Agreement gives union employees a more than 13% wage hike and adds other benefits aimed at increasing retention and drawing new employees to TriMet to support service and customer experience improvements

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

    TriMet’s new Working and Wage Agreement with union employees represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 takes effect Dec. 1, 2024. This after the TriMet Board of Directors approved the new contract at its business meeting on Sept. 25. TriMet’s ATU Local 757 members ratified the new agreement in August. The ATU represents the vast majority of TriMet employees — more than 2,700 people, including bus and MAX operators, dispatchers, mechanics, maintenance service workers and others.

    TriMet and ATU leadership negotiated a four-year term for the new contract, instead of the usual three, to provide greater stability for everyone involved. That includes riders, as well as people who may be considering a career with TriMet.

    The agreement boosts union employees’ wages by 4% in December 2024, followed by a 3% increase each year after that. That comes out to a 13.64% wage increase over four years. Hourly pay will also increase for maintenance shifts between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

    TriMet will also increase the employer contribution to union employees’ 401(a) retirement plan by 1% now and another 1% in the final year of the contract. This will bring TriMet’s contribution for union employees to 10%.

    The agreement includes several other benefits for new and existing TriMet union employees, including:

    • A new tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year, intended to support employees who are taking higher and continuing education courses.
    • A new child care subsidy of up to $150 per month, helping to allay the increased cost of child care.
    • Two additional floating holidays, plus more vacation time for employees who have spent at least 15 years with TriMet.

    Under the agreement, TriMet will also rework some schedules and add new cleaning positions. Riders will see the benefits! These changes should mean more regular cleaning at TriMet facilities and fewer canceled trips.

    TriMet is hiring!

    Reaching a negotiated four-year agreement with the ATU Local 757 supports TriMet’s efforts to attract and retain employees in key positions, including operators, maintenance and other union staff.

    Filling these jobs is vital to our plans, as we look to further increase service, bolster safety and security, and improve the cleanliness and reliability of our system. That means a better experience for riders — including those who rely on transit to access services and opportunities, including jobs, schools and health care.

    TriMet is currently offering a $7,500 hiring bonus for new operators and a $2,500 hiring bonus for several other positions, including diesel mechanics and maintainers. Visit trimet.org/careers to learn more and apply.

    The Working and Wage Agreement applies to current and future union employees. Some provisions depend on seniority, rewarding longtime employees with additional benefits.

  • (VIDEO) TriMet observes See Tracks? Think Train® rail safety week with six safety tips

    Recognizing the potential dangers is the first step in being safe around train tracks

    TriMet is asking everyone to pledge to make safe decisions around rail tracks, as we observe See Tracks? Think Train® rail safety week, Sept. 23-29. This is an opportunity to educate the public and raise awareness to reduce the number of rail incidents, which result in more than 2,000 deaths annually in North America.


    Across the Portland metro region, TriMet’s MAX and WES tracks run like a thread through the community, allowing trains to roll over city streets and zip through dedicated rail areas. They’re an important part of daily life, getting thousands of people to work, school, recreation and other opportunities.

    But it’s important for the public to remember that a single MAX train, with two cars combined, weighs nearly 100 tons, and it can take several times longer than an auto to come to a stop while operating at the same speed. Light rail operators also need to account for passenger safety and stability, which can influence a train’s braking distance.

    Safety requires everyone, looking out for ourselves and others, to stay safe around the tracks.


    Six tips for rail safety

    Ditch the distractions: Crossing train tracks might seem routine, but distractions can make them a gamble. A moment of awareness will make all the difference. Look up from your phone when walking through station areas or crossing the tracks. If you’re listening to something with headphones, remove an earbud or lower the volume so you can hear the train’s horn.

    Stay in your lane: Don’t linger on the tracks when walking, biking or driving. Stick to designated crossings and intersections. At stations, make sure you’re well behind the white bumpy safety strips. And never walk along the tracks.

    Stay alert: Treat the tracks like an active intersection. Always look both ways, and don’t forget: trains can come from either direction! Keep your eyes peeled for the possibility of a second train as you make your way across.

    Make yourself seen: As daylight fades, amp up your visibility. Wear bright or reflective clothing, or consider bringing a light with you. If you’re driving, always use your headlights and take your time, especially when you’re in areas where trains share the road with autos and visibility is low. 

    Slow down: We’ve all run late for something! But a missed train is not worth the risk. Running across tracks or through station areas can be dangerous, especially if you trip and fall. 

    Clear your view: Hooded jackets or hoodies are practically required clothing in Portland, but they can also obscure your vision. Make sure you move them out of your view when you’re walking around or over tracks. The same goes for umbrellas. If you’re driving, ensure your mirrors are positioned correctly and your windshield wipers are working.

    See Tracks? Think Train

    For another year, TriMet is joining in a national effort to raise awareness around rail safety. Every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is struck by a train. Coordinated through Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the national rail safety education nonprofit, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other organizations, this year’s See Tracks? Think Train® initiative (formerly known as Rail Safety Week) focuses on the importance of making safe choices when walking or driving near railroad tracks and trains. TriMet is proud to have supported the cause since it began in 2017.

  • TriMet, FTA and partners celebrate a new era for the MAX Red Line

    Years-long A Better Red project to improve MAX light rail reliability and extend MAX Red Line into Hillsboro completed on time, on budget

    A Better Red official opening ceremony participants get ready for a ceremonial ‘first ride’ on a brand new MAX train, one of four purchased as part of the project. From left to right: Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai, Port of Portland Chief Public Affairs Officer Dave Robertson, TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr., Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, TriMet Board Vice President Thomas Kim, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, ODOT Public Transportation Division Administrator Suzanne Carlson, Centro Cultural Policy Director Nansi Lopez, Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers, PBOT Director Millicent Williams

    TriMet’s A Better Red project came to a celebrated close Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, with the official opening ceremony of the MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro, marking the conclusion of TriMet’s biggest light rail project in nearly a decade.

    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined TriMet and local partners on Wednesday to celebrate the extension of the MAX Red Line 10 stations west into Hillsboro. It’s the final piece of A Better Red—a three-year, two-phased project to increase the light rail system’s reliability and extend the Red Line to serve MAX stations in a growing job center of Washington County as well as give more people a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. Following the ceremony, attendees took a ceremonial ‘first ride’ through the new area being served by Red Line trains.

    TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. thanks partners at the A Better Red official opening ceremony in Hillsboro on Aug. 28, 2024.

    “I take great pride and am honored to host the celebration today—marking this exciting milestone for TriMet and the entire region,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “This project would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of so many individuals and organizations. A Better Red isn’t just about extending the line—it’s about making our entire MAX system better. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we all come together, and together, we are building a brighter, more connected future for the people of this region.”

    FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool and local partners joined TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. at the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station on Wednesday, which now serves as the western end of the MAX Red Line. A Better Red would not have been possible without the support of local and federal partners, including the FTA, which covered a substantial portion of the $215 million budget with a $99.9 million Small Starts grant. The project was completed on time and on budget.

    FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool and TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. at the A Better Red official opening ceremony on Aug. 28, 2024.

    “Congratulations to the people of Portland and the TriMet team for completing the ambitious ‘A Better Red’ project, which will improve service and result in smoother, faster travel, allowing people throughout the Portland region to leave their cars behind,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “We appreciate that this project—like all transit projects—has supported so many jobs in the area and will continue to do so. In fact, 44% of the subcontracting firms are certified disadvantaged business enterprises in Oregon, demonstrating our shared commitment to equity and ensuring everyone has a chance to  benefit from federal transit investment.”

    A Better Red also received financial support from Metro, allocating nearly $9 million in funding, and the Port of Portland, which contributed about $2.3 million.

    While Metro Council President Lynn Peterson was not able to attend the A Better Red official opening ceremony, she said, “Thinking regionally means helping people move regionally. TriMet’s Red Line extension makes it easier than ever to use MAX to move around our region, supporting the thousands of Oregonians who have chosen to live in the communities along our rail system. Faster commutes, shorter waits and fewer transfers are all great news for our region’s commuters.”

    The Port of Portland has played a vital role in the MAX Red Line from the very beginning, part of the public-private partnership that led to the creation of the line—the first train-to-plane connection on the west coast when it opened in September 2001. Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold was not able to be at the ceremony but shared this:

    “Extending the MAX Red Line into Hillsboro gives people who live here, visitors and employees a faster, car-free way to get to and from PDX,” Robinhold said. “I love that we’re celebrating the completion of A Better Red the same month we opened PDX’s new main terminal because both projects were part of an overall plan to better serve our community for decades to come.”

    Washington County applauds A Better Red

    Pictured, from left to right: Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers; Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai; Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway; Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty.

    Washington County officials, along with business and community leaders, turned out for Wednesday’s ceremony and applauded A Better Red and the opportunities additional MAX light rail service brings to people living in this growing area. 

    “Smart transit infrastructure does more than reduce traffic congestion; it drives economic growth by making our region more attractive for investment,” Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers said. “By investing in projects like A Better Red, TriMet, the Federal Transit Administration and the jurisdictional partners are not just placing track and adding stops—they are laying the groundwork for economic prosperity, community resilience and long-term sustainability.”

    Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai speaks at the A Better Red official opening ceremony.

    A Better Red demonstrates and fulfills our collective regional commitment to providing reliable, convenient access to jobs, homes, recreation and services,” Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fia said. “It also supports our regional commitment to climate-friendly initiatives by allowing more people to reach their destinations without cars.”

    “I’m thrilled to celebrate A Better Red today because it offers Beaverton residents a reliable, climate-friendly alternative to driving, connecting them to Portland, Hillsboro, and beyond,” Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty said. “Good transit is essential to our community’s growth, and this project will make life easier for so many, especially the 30% of our residents who can’t drive.”

    “MAX light rail does more than just move people; it moves people closer to their dreams,” Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway said . “This extension is another rung helping individuals climb the socioeconomic ladder. Each trip—whether it be for education, healthcare, or employment—carries people on their journey towards a better purposeful life.”

    “From improved access to jobs to more convenient and affordable transportation, A Better Red will help bridge the gaps that too often hold people back,” Centro Cultural Policy Director Nansi Lopez said.

    A Better Red keeps trains and transit moving forward

    A Better Red ceremonial ‘first ride’ ended at Beaverton Transit Center where Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici greeted the train. Pictured left to right: Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Washington County Commissioner Pam Treece, ODOT Public Transportation Division Administrator Suzanne Carlson

    TriMet’s A Better Red project doubled MAX light rail service between Beaverton Transit Center, the previous western end of the MAX Red Line, and the new Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds Station, renamed from the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station.

    The project’s reliability improvements were made on the east side of the line, between Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center, and went into operation in March. They included installing a second set of tracks in two sections—near PDX and Gateway Transit Center—where originally there were just a single set of tracks. This improved train movement and keeps trains running on time throughout the MAX Red Line as well as on the other lines in our interconnected light rail system.

    The reliability improvements led to TriMet’s first new MAX station in nine years, Gateway North, to serve trains coming from PDX toward Downtown Portland and Washington County. Crews constructed two new bridges and pathways to carry the new sections of track and improve connections for pedestrians, cyclists and people in mobility devices. This includes  two new multi-use paths: one connecting 82nd Avenue to Portland International Airport and another providing new access to Gateway Green Park. The work required three short closures of all or part of I-84 in the Gateway area. TriMet thanks the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for its support in making A Better Red possible.

    “TriMet’s partnership in the Portland region helps us deliver on our mission to provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system for Oregon,” ODOT’s Public Transportation Division Administrator Suzanne Carlson said. “We are excited to see A Better Red expand transportation options for the community.”

    A project of A Better Red’s size, on an active light rail line, required eight disruptions to MAX service. TriMet and our partners thank riders and employees for their patience and understanding as this project improved transit service and all the benefits that brings.

    “The City of Portland appreciates this federal investment and TriMet’s leadership on the A Better Red project, which will improve light rail service downtown and for neighborhoods on the eastside of Portland,” said Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Millicent Williams. “Continued transit investments are critical to meeting the City of Portland goals around carbon emissions reduction, improving livability and helping people get where they need to go affordably and safely.”

    Building A Better Red


    A Better Red official opening ceremony participants at the newly named Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station prepare for the ceremonial ‘first ride.’

    Construction of A Better Red was led by Construction Manager/General Contractor Stacy Witbeck, with the design completed by Parametrix. The project  supported 1,051 jobs and paid out over $18.9 million in salaries and wages to date. In line with TriMet’s nationally recognized program promoting opportunities for women and people of color through transit construction projects, disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) played a substantial role in A Better Red, with 62 of the 139 subcontracting firms being certified DBEs. The project also emphasized workforce training and hiring initiatives. Approximately 21% of the total trade labor hours have been dedicated to on-the-job training for apprentices, setting them up for future success in the construction industry.

    Funding

    $104 m      TriMet
     $99.9 m     FTA Small Starts / SYGA
     $8.9 m       Regional Flexible Funds administered by Metro
     $2.2 m       Port of Portland
     $215 m      Current total project cost

    A Better Red at a glance

    The new MAX Red Line is just one of the changes TriMet made in August to improve our overall light rail system and bring bus service to more people, especially those with limited incomes, so they have more access to reach jobs and opportunities.