Search results for: “COVID-19”

  • Take TriMet to Portland Rose Festival

    Take TriMet to Portland Rose Festival

    Parades, CityFair are easily accessible via TriMet bus and MAX

    Image of a TriMet bus decorated with lights, with the header "Starlight Parade," on the parade route in Downtown Portland.

    The 2025 Portland Rose Festival is nearly here!

    TriMet is the Rose Festival’s local and regional transportation partner. Transit is the best way to enjoy the Rose Festival — riders can avoid traffic and expensive parking in the Portland City Center, and let us do the driving.

    This year, the Grand Floral Parade returns to Downtown Portland for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic! Additionally, TriMet is proud to continue our tradition of participating in the CareOregon Starlight Parade. Keep a lookout for our special bus and employees!

    The Rose Festival begins Friday, May 23, with events running through June 8. The Festival includes Portland’s biggest annual parades and three weekends of an outdoor fair — all easy to access with TriMet. Visit trimet.org to plan your trip!

    CityFair

    Take the MAX Blue and Red lines to the Rose Festival CityFair, held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park! The Oak/SW 1st Ave MAX Station is located a block from the park. Many TriMet bus lines serve stops nearby as well. The MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines also stop just a few blocks away.

    CityFair kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26. Catch a fireworks show on Opening Night over the Willamette River after sunset! There will also be fun rides, delicious food and live entertainment.

    CityFair continues May 30–June 1, then again June 6-8.

    The third and final weekend falls during Fleet Week, which runs June 5-8. It also coincides with the Dragon Boat Race on the Willamette River and the Grand Floral Float Showcase on Southwest Naito Parkway, both June 7-8.

    Parades

    CareOregon Starlight Parade

    The CareOregon Starlight Parade on May 31 begins on the Waterfront and travels through Downtown Portland toward Providence Park.

    Take the bus, MAX or Portland Streetcar and grab a front-row seat to this dazzling, one-of-a-kind parade. You can park for free at dozens of TriMet Park & Ride locations throughout the region and take TriMet to a stop or station near the parade route.

    Keep an eye out for TriMet’s bus! Our bus featuring artist Daniel Hernandez Sandoval’s beautiful “La Cultura Cura” design will be rolling in the Starlight Parade, alongside TriMet employees.

    Fred Meyer Junior Parade

    The Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 4 travels through the Hollywood District, from NE 52nd Avenue and Sacramento Street west to Grant High School. This is a fun and festive parade by kids, for kids!

    The parade route passes just a couple blocks from the Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave MAX Station, which is served by the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Multiple bus lines also stop near the parade route. Visit trimet.org to find the best way to get to your viewing spot!

    Grand Floral Parade

    The Grand Floral Parade makes its return to Downtown Portland on June 7! This parade has been a beloved Portland tradition for more than 117 years.

    The parade will follow approximately the same route as the Starlight Parade. Breathtaking floral floats, high-energy marching bands and multicultural performers will make their way from the Waterfront toward Providence Park.

    TriMet is the perfect way to enjoy this spectacular and beautiful celebration of Portland’s spirit, without the hassle of traffic and parking in the City Center. The parade route is an easy stroll from many bus stops and MAX stations, as well as Portland Streetcar stops. Plan your trip at trimet.org!

    Service info

    Parades may cause minor delays for TriMet bus and MAX lines. TriMet coordinates closely with parade organizers. Our shared goal is to keep everyone safe while minimizing disruptions.

    Additionally, as ships arrive and depart for Fleet Week, bridge lifts will be required. These bridge lifts will affect service on all MAX lines and some bus lines. Stay tuned for more information.

    Riders can always find the latest service information at trimet.org/alerts, or sign up to receive alerts at trimet.org/email. Riders can also check the digital displays at MAX stations for service alerts.

    Know before you go

    Riding TriMet is easier than ever! Here’s a few tips for riding:

    • Machines at MAX stations now distribute Hop Fastpass® cards! Purchase one card per qualifying family member. Military and veterans, people with disabilities, and seniors age 65 and older qualify for TriMet’s Honored Citizen fare.
    • No Hop card? Quickly and easily purchase Adult fare by tapping your contactless credit or debit card to a Hop reader. (This option is for Adult fare only. Each rider must use a separate card.) 
    • Children 6 and under ride free and children ages 7 to 17 qualify for TriMet’s Youth fare.
    • Our Rules for Riding help to keep our riders and employees safe and our buses and trains clean and welcoming. Please report any unwanted behavior or activity to 503-238-7433 (RIDE), or tell your bus operator or a member of TriMet’s safety and security teams.
  • TriMet warns of cuts to transit service without an increase in transit funding in 2025 Oregon transportation package

    TriMet warns of cuts to transit service without an increase in transit funding in 2025 Oregon transportation package

    Oregon Transit Association calls for 0.4% increase in Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund employee payroll tax

    TriMet joins the Oregon Transit Association in appealing to Oregon legislators to increase funding for public transit in the upcoming 2025 transportation package. We appreciate the efforts of the Oregon Legislature to assemble a package that balances funding for all modes of transportation. However, the amount of funding for public transit currently being proposed is not enough to avoid service cuts that will leave tens of thousands of Oregonians stranded without the transportation they depend on, including in TriMet’s tri-county service district. 

    TriMet provides bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit services across 533 square miles of the state’s three most populous counties — Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. Our transit service connects people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making our region a better place to live.

    The phased increase of 0.4% in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) employee payroll tax over eight years sought by the Oregon Transit Association is necessary to avoid cuts to the transit service that is essential for TriMet riders — more than 67% of whom tell us they rely on our service to get them where they need to go. Under the current proposed 0.08% increase, TriMet would need to begin cutting service by July 1, 2027. We would need to cut 15% of service in 2027, with an additional 5% cut every two years after that, until our operating budget deficit is resolved.

    Transit funding only a sliver of Oregon’s transportation investment

    In 2017, the Oregon Legislature passed the first transportation package in state history that dedicated funding to improve transit service around the state, including providing free or discounted fare programs for students and Oregonians living on a low income. While welcome by transit agencies, public transportation receives just 8% as much state funding as the state highway fund receives each year in the face of rising costs and financial challenges. 

    Like other public transit agencies in Oregon and across the nation, TriMet has seen operating costs skyrocket, mainly due to inflation. Our operating costs per vehicle have increased 53% from 2019 to 2024. TriMet has tripled our budget for safety and security in the last several years, to address community-wide public safety challenges that affect our transit system.

    TriMet has been operating on reduced revenues since the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently facing a *$50.2 million deficit for the fiscal year ahead, which begins July 1, 2025. As our deficit continues to grow year-to-year, we’re using our reserves to avoid reducing services, and we’re making meaningful cuts to our discretionary spending and implementing changes to right-size our budget. 
    *Note: The original news release stated a $74.4 million deficit projected for fiscal year 2026. As of May 28, 2025, the projected deficit is now at $50.2 million due to spending cuts and other budget efficiencies identified during the fiscal year 2026 budgeting process.

    Federal COVID-19 relief funds provided a lifeline for public transit agencies thrust into turmoil brought by the global pandemic and grappling with systemic changes due to commute patterns and remote work. However, those one-time stimulus funds have now been depleted, and TriMet faces a fiscal cliff in 2031. We’re working with lawmakers now to identify additional state funding, before our deficit becomes unmanageable.

    With a 0.4% phased increase in the STIF employee payroll tax, transit funding would still be less than the funding for other transportation modes. A  person making Oregon’s median income would pay $16.75 a month by 2032. In comparison, by that time the average driver would spend roughly $60 a month in gas taxes and vehicle fees under the Legislature’s proposed transportation package framework. 

    Without that phased increase, TriMet will be forced to make drastic service cuts, including reducing frequency, hours of operation, and eliminating some bus lines altogether. Just considering our bus service alone, of our 78 current bus lines, TriMet would need to eliminate up to:

    • 34 bus lines by July 2027,
    • 7 more bus lines by July 2029,
    • And 10 more bus lines by July 2031.
    Graphic showing TriMet bus lines represented by blue and red icons, reading: "2031 TriMet Service Without the Phased Increase. Up to 51 bus lines eliminated." An arrow points to the red bus icons, representing bus lines that may be eliminated without the phased increase.

    That means up to 51 of our current 78 bus lines would need to be eliminated by July 2031.

    Maintaining — and increasing — public transit service is necessary to ensure that everyone has access to transportation regardless of ability or income. TriMet represents independence for the 35% of riders who are transit-dependent, meaning they do not own a personal vehicle or cannot/do not drive. We are a vital part of their lives, providing essential access to jobs, health care and daily needs. 

    Public transit benefits everyone

    Everyone benefits from TriMet, even if you don’t ride.  More people taking public transit means fewer cars on the road. Not only does our service reduce congestion, it reduces pollution and decreases the number of traffic collisions and fatalities. Our public transit also helps the economy. Every $1 invested in transit generates $5 for a local economy, according to research by the American Public Transportation Association. Directly, public transit helps support jobs by giving people access to work, education, stores, services and recreation, and by putting people to work. TriMet currently employs 3,600 people, and most of those positions — nearly 3,000 — are union jobs.

    TriMet is grateful for the support of the lawmakers who penned a letter to legislative leadership on March 28, 2025, urging them to, “prioritize a phased increase to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) payroll tax, to reach ½ of 1% by 2033 to ensure there are no cuts to local transit service.” According to that letter signed by the 10 legislators, 64% of the public comments received during the Joint Committee on Transportation’s 2024 community roadshow identified investments in transit as a top priority for the 2025 transportation package.

    TriMet believes that every Oregonian deserves access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation options, and we urge legislators to increase funding for public transit in the upcoming 2025 transportation package.

  • TriMet releases proposed FY2026 budget

    TriMet releases proposed FY2026 budget

    The public comment period begins today, March 5, 2025, for TriMet’s proposed budget for the upcoming year. Our fiscal year 2026 begins July 1, 2025, and  runs through June 30, 2026. The proposed budget is posted online at trimet.org/budget.

    TriMet’s fiscal year 2026 proposed budget outlines $1.94 billion in spending and holds the line—with no increases beyond necessary contractual obligations, such as rising electricity costs. We will continue working toward the adopted budget to be released later this spring for Board consideration. That budget will reflect key priorities, including:

    • Mission-critical staffing needs
    • Service level requirements
    • System and facility maintenance
    • State of Good Repair investments
    • Capital project planning and construction


    We have also updated our financial forecasts, evaluated revenue assumptions, and analyzed multiple funding scenarios to prepare for potential funding cuts. Given the uncertainty at the federal level—where grants have been frozen and FTA staff reductions have occurred—we are increasing the budgeted amount of contingency funds to allow time to adjust, if needed.

    Like other public transit agencies across the nation, TriMet is facing financial challenges and has been operating on reduced revenues since the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a dramatic drop in ridership with stay-at-home orders followed by an increase in remote work. TriMet’s ridership has also been impacted by community-wide challenges including civil unrest, extreme weather events, crime, open-drug use and the homeless epidemic. TriMet has made considerable investments in response. That includes historic investments in safety and security.

    Today, TriMet has more safety and security personnel on our transit system than ever. As we have increased that personnel to almost 500 over the past three years — double the number of personnel we had at the end of 2022. Calls for police services have decreased more than 40% during that same time.

    TriMet ridership is increasing with the investments in security, along with other efforts to improve the customer experience and adjust bus service through our Forward Together service plan to bring it closer to more people who rely upon it.  Those efforts, combined with more return to in-person work and events, has generally led to year-to-year increases in monthly ridership since 2020. However, TriMet’s ridership remains about 30% below pre-pandemic figures. Lower ridership equals lower passenger fare revenue. We have been using federal pandemic relief funds, which have proved a lifeline for public transit agencies across the nation, to backfill the drop in fare revenue, but those one-time stimulus funds have now been depleted.

    TriMet will continue to identify efficiencies to this financial plan as we move forward in the budget process before the TriMet Board adopts a FY2026 budget, which is expected to occur at its May 28, 2025 business meeting. 

    People can view the proposed budget at trimet.org/budget and submit feedback through Wednesday, March 26, via email to hello@trimet.org or by calling our Customer Service team at 503-238-7433 (RIDE). The public can also provide comment during the public forum period at upcoming TriMet Board meetings on March 26, April 23 and May 28, or during the public hearing on the budget at the Multnomah County Tax and Supervision Conservation Committee (TSCC) meeting on April 23. Meeting details will be posted on trimet.org/meetings/board.

    About TriMet

    TriMet has provided public transit service in the greater Portland metro area since 1969. At that time, we only ran buses, and there were less than 881,000 living in the tri-county region of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington.

    Over the past 55-plus years, TriMet service has grown from buses only, to also include MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service. Our service district stretches 533-square miles across a tri-county area where 1.7 million people live today. Our safe, reliable, convenient transit service provides millions of trips each month. In fact, 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. Among the 60 largest metro areas in the United States, TriMet and the Portland area rank 10th in transit boardings per capita.

  • Lower your costs: Sign up for reduced fare and ride TriMet for $28 a month

    Lower your costs: Sign up for reduced fare and ride TriMet for $28 a month

    With the 2025 increase to the federal poverty rate, more people across TriMet’s tri-county service area qualify for reduced fare based on income

    During a time when groceries, electricity bills and other expenses are going up, bring monthly costs down by riding TriMet. TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare allows for unlimited rides for $28 a month for those who qualify. More people signed up to ride with TriMet’s reduced fare based on their income in 2024 than ever before, and now a change in the federal poverty level gives even more people the opportunity to ride for less.

    More people qualify in 2025

    To qualify for Honored Citizen reduced fare based on income, you must be an Oregon resident between the ages of 18 and 64 and earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. New 2025 income guidelines increased the federal poverty rate, which means the income level for those who qualify for TriMet’s reduced fare went up by more than a thousand dollars to $31,300 per year. Those who participate in an assistance program such as the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also qualify.

    It is easy to enroll. Go to trimet.org/income to fill out an application online and find a list of locations to get in-person help Those include the TriMet Customer Support Center, Portland State University Transportation Office and five Worksource Portland locations. Once enrolled, receive a personalized Honored Citizen Hop card pre-loaded with a month’s fare —$28 —at no cost. The card and first month of rides are free!

    With your Hop card in hand, start saving! Just remember to tap with every ride. The tap serves as proof of fare.

    More people signed up in 2024

    Last year, more than 15,500 people took steps to reduce their transportation costs with TriMet’s Honored Citizen reduced fare based on income. That is the highest number of new sign-ups we have ever seen since we added the income qualification in 2018. Where did all of those riders come from? The biggest driver was students returning to in-person classes at local colleges and universities following the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sense. Whether it’s school, work, shopping or vital services, every ride on TriMet connects you with opportunity.

    More assistance available for those who need it

    TriMet also has reduced fare options for Youth ages 7 to 17, and our Honored Citizen fare is also available to those who are 65+, on Medicare or experiencing a verifiable disability. Honored Citizen reduced fare is also available to active duty, reserve and veteran members of the United States Armed Forces.

    More partnerships providing free and reduced fares

    For some facing challenges like housing and hunger, $28 per month is a hardship. That is why we partner with nearly 150 community-based organizations, agencies and service providers throughout our region to put free and reduced fare into the hands of those who need it. Since 2015, we have provided more than $15.3 million in assistance through our Access Transit Fare programs. These programs were designed to increase independence, improve access to employment and employment resources and provide connections for thousands of people in our community with low and limited incomes.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • From jobs to schools and services, TriMet improves connections to opportunities with August 2024 service change

    Summer rollout includes improvements to bus service; two new bus lines; new bus network in place of late-night/early-morning MAX service; expansion of MAX Red Line service to Hillsboro; and new names for three MAX stations

    TriMet is rolling out one of our largest-ever service updates on Sunday, Aug. 25. Riders can expect new and more convenient transit options that provide fast and reliable connections to opportunities. From jobs and education to health care and social services, we’re improving service for current riders and bringing new service to areas that have been calling for more. 

    As part of these changes, we’re adding new bus lines, adjusting routes and in some cases, eliminating low-ridership lines, so that we can use those resources where they’re needed most. We’re also expanding MAX service and beginning to fully realize the benefits of A Better Red, our years-long project to extend the Red Line into Hillsboro and keep MAX trains moving –- and on time –- across our entire light rail system. 

    In addition, we’re changing late-night MAX service: Buses will run in place of trains during the late evening hours when there are fewer riders. While we will continue to provide reliable transit service in the same areas and for the same amount of time, this change will allow for additional overnight maintenance that will reduce delays and disruptions at times when most people are riding and relying on MAX to get where they need to go.

    And that’s not all! TriMet will expand MAX Red Line service into Hillsboro and rename three MAX stations! Visit trimet.org to plan your trip! Set the date for Aug. 25, or later, to see how your travel plans might change.

    Improving bus service with Forward Together

    The bus service improvements are part of our Forward Together Service Concept. That’s a plan we created in partnership with the community in response to the changes in travel created by the COVID-19 pandemic. These improvements help fulfill the goals of Forward Together: to increase ridership and increase access to opportunities for people with low and limited incomes. Among the highlights:

    • Line 25-Glisan/Rockwood: We’re extending service to Reynolds High School and Mt. Hood Community College with buses coming more often, more hours of the day, every day.
    • Line 29-Lake/Webster Rd: We’re adding midday service to improve access to the Clackamas County Health Centers’ Behavioral Health clinics, which are moving to Lake Road.
    • Line 34-Linwood/River Rd: We’re extending Line 34 to Clackamas Heights.
    • NEW! Line 40-Tacoma/Swan Island: We’re launching Line 40 to connect Swan Island, Rose Quarter, Downtown Portland and the SE Tacoma St/Johnson Creek MAX Orange Line Station. Line 40 will replace lines 85 and 99 and replace Line 35 service to the South Macadam & Sellwood Bridge stops.
    • Line 76-Hall/Greenburg: We’re introducing a new connection between communities in Washington and Clackamas counties. We’re extending some trips on Line 76 east to the Oregon City Transit Center.
    • NEW! Line 153-Stafford/Salamo: We’re launching a new bus line to connect the communities of West Linn and Lake Oswego.
    • Lines 39, 44, 45, 51, 55 and 70: Schedules will be adjusted up to 5 minutes, to help students get to school on time.

    TriMet will eliminate bus lines 85, 99 and 154 due to low ridership, and resources from those lines will be moved to new areas, to provide more reliable service. The Forward Together Service Concept includes replacement service for areas where bus lines are removed, where ridership supports it.

    Late-night/early-morning MAX service provided by buses

    We are introducing a network of buses that will run in place of MAX trains during late night and early morning hours. By providing late-night trips on buses instead of trains, TriMet will be able to complete more overnight maintenance projects. This will help us provide more reliable MAX service and reduce future planned and unplanned service disruptions that inconvenience riders during the busier hours. All light rail lines except the MAX Green Line will have a matching bus line that will provide service for late-night trains:

    • Blue Eastside bus: Riders traveling between Downtown Portland and Gresham will take late-night/early-morning trips on the Line 287-Blue Eastside Bus.
    • Blue Westside bus: Line 288-Blue Westside Bus will provide late night/early morning service between Rose Quarter Transit Center and Hillsboro.
    • Orange bus: Late-night/early-morning MAX trips have been provided by Line 291-Orange Night bus since the MAX Orange Line opened in 2015. We will remove “night” from the destination sign, for consistency.
    • Red bus: We’re moving late-night/early-morning MAX trips to the Line 292 Red Bus.
    • Yellow bus: We’re moving late-night/early-morning MAX trips to the Line 293-Yellow Bus.

    The MAX Green Line will continue to operate with its current schedule, which can allow for additional overnight maintenance without an adjustment.

    More MAX service and three stations get new names

    Also happening on Aug. 25: a soft launch of service on our 10-station extension of the MAX Red Line, ahead of the official launch of the new service on Wednesday, Aug. 28. With our A Better Red project complete, we’re opening 10 existing Blue Line stations to Red Line trains, between Beaverton Transit Center and Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport, which is getting a new name (see below.) Riders can expect wait times to be reduced by half in that area, as trains will arrive every seven to eight minutes for most of the day, every day.

    In addition to the expansion of Red Line service, A Better Red improved reliability across TriMet’s entire 60-mile light rail system, with track improvements at Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center and a new station, Gateway North, for riders traveling from Portland International Airport.

    As part of this comprehensive service change, we’re updating the names of three MAX Stations:

    • Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport will become Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds (MAX Blue and Red lines).
    • Tuality Hospital/SE 8th Ave will become Hillsboro Health District (MAX Blue Line).
    • Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center will be Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave (MAX Blue, Green and Red lines).

    Let TriMet do the driving!

    Every day, we’re finding new ways to make transit service faster and more reliable, while also providing a safe, convenient and easy way to get around. In addition to these service improvements, we’re working to improve the ride. That means you’ll see more safety and security personnel, increased enforcement of our Rules for Riding and cleaner vehicles, platforms and transit centers

    If you are struggling to pay your fare, TriMet can help. Riders with low incomes can sign up for reduced fare through our Honored Citizen program or connect with a service provider who provides fares at no cost through our Access Transit Program.

  • Park & Ride expansion in North Clackamas County to increase access to TriMet

    Construction has begun on two additional stories of parking at the SE Park Avenue Park & Ride 

    TriMet kicked off a year-long project that will free-up more parking at an historically busy Park & Ride in North Clackamas County, giving commuters southeast of Portland more access to transit. The project will also fully realize the original plans for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project, which brought federal funds to the region for the MAX Orange Line, completed in 2015.

    The expanded SE Park Ave Par & Ride viewed from the north.

    Construction will expand the three-story structure at the south end of the MAX Orange Line by two additional floors, adding 334 new spaces, including six accessible parking spaces. The project will also add wiring and equipment to support 40 additional electric vehicle charging stalls. The new parking will open in spring 2025, and the electric vehicle charging stalls will open at a later date. With the exception of the third floor, the Park & Ride will remain open during the majority of construction.

    A five-story parking facility was originally planned for SE Park Ave, but TriMet deferred construction until we could ensure  federal funding remained in the project budget to build it. Development of the MAX Orange Line itself came in under budget, allowing us to tap federal money for the Park & Ride expansion. 

    When the three-story Park & Ride opened in 2015, with 401 spaces, it quickly became one of TriMet’s most popular, often filling to capacity on weekdays or during events. TriMet had planned for this possibility, building the structure to allow for its future growth. As a short-term measure, TriMet entered into an agreement with the adjacent Milwaukie-Portland Elks Lodge #142 to lease spaces in its parking lot to manage overflow.

    While demand is less today due to travel changes following the COVID-19 pandemic, adding the two new floors of parking now allows us to build for the future to match the growing transit needs in North Clackamas County—without inconveniencing riders. 

    Short-term construction, long-term benefits

    Expanding the garage will make it easier and more convenient for people to reach jobs, services or other important destinations. The SE Park Avenue Park & Ride is served by the MAX Orange Line and bus lines 33-McLoughlin/King Rd and 99-Macadam/McLoughlin. The Line 291-Orange Night Bus also serves the station from Downtown Portland, replacing MAX Orange Line trains after midnight. 

    While both the garage and the onsite Bike & Ride will remain open during construction, the entrance from McLoughlin Boulevard will be closed through the project’s completion. Drivers will enter and exit from the driveway off Southeast Park Avenue. The sidewalk on McLoughlin Boulevard will remain open, however. The Park & Ride elevator will also be closed during construction. 

    TriMet’s goal is for roughly 20% of the construction contract be set aside for certified disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) firms. DBEs are businesses owned by minorities or women at a level of at least 51%, with these contracts used to build a diverse and skilled workforce while at the same time making critical improvements to our region’s transportation system. 

    Design and site features

    In addition to increasing the garage’s capacity, the project will add decorative panels that vines will climb. The landscaping surrounding the garage will be temporarily removed during construction. It will be replaced when the project is completed. We’re also temporarily removing the garage’s rooftop solar panels to accommodate construction.

    Learn more about the Park Avenue Park & Ride expansion at trimet.org/bettertransit/park.

  • TriMet continues moving forward on bus and MAX service improvements

    Proposals aimed at adding and expanding bus service, improving MAX maintenance and reliability and speeding up trains head before TriMet Board March 27

    TriMet’s Board of Directors will take up proposals next week at their March meeting that are geared toward improving bus and MAX service. They’ll begin considering two ordinances, one for our Fiscal Year 2025 service plans, which includes expansion of night buses to replace late-night MAX trains, adding three bus lines and adjusting 30 others, as well as bringing bus service hours within 5% of pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The second ordinance calls for closing the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station to speed up MAX Blue and Red Line service.

    The Board is meeting Wednesday, March 27, at Clackamas Community College, rooms 170/172 in the Harmony West Building, 7738 SE Harmony Rd., Milwaukie. They will hold a public hearing as part of the first reading of each ordinance, as required by Oregon Budget Law. Public forum will begin at 9:30 a.m., with in-person sign-ups beginning at 9 a.m. Virtual testimony sign-ups will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. For more information on sign-up for virtual testimony or to provide written testimony, visit trimet.org/meetings/board.

    TriMet previously engaged the community around the proposals. We conducted outreach and held a series of open houses in fall 2023 about our Forward Together bus service improvements, receiving more than 1,700 comments. Additional outreach and open houses were held in January 2024, focused on the second year of bus service changes under our Forward Together plan, as well as the MAX night bus network and Skidmore Fountain concepts. More than 1,000 comments were received. The proposal to close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station has gone through extensive outreach previously and years of review.

    Forward Together enters year two

    TriMet’s bus service improvements are in full swing through our Forward Together Revised Service Plan. They’re designed to build better connections and increase ridership. After all, riders are front and center in the improvements, playing a major role in crafting the Forward Together plan in 2022. Our goal is to focus on how and where people ride, and to improve connections to destinations, particularly for people with low and limited incomes.

    The second year of Forward Together looks to add three bus lines to our Frequent Service network, with buses arriving every 15 minutes or more often for most of the day, every day. Plans also call for three new bus lines and changes to 27 other bus lines.

    To learn more about all of the proposed changes, visit trimet.org/betterbus.

    Improving MAX reliability with a night bus network

    TriMet has the second-shortest overnight maintenance period of any transit agency in the United States that operates light rail. That’s despite just 2% of MAX riders making trips after midnight. In late summer/early fall of 2023, an average of just over 1,200 trips were taken across all MAX lines between midnight and the start of service shortly before 4 a.m.

    Providing late night transit service on buses along the MAX lines would extend our light rail maintenance period, reducing the need to disrupt MAX service during the day in order to accomplish critical rail improvements and reduce unplanned disruptions as well. A longer period of downtime on the MAX system would also allow maintenance teams to perform more thorough cleaning and detailing work aboard our trains after hours.  While the overnight window differs by MAX line, there is currently only a 47-minute period when no trains are running anywhere on the system.

    We’re modeling the proposed MAX night bus network after the existing Line 291-Orange night bus. Line 291 was established in 2015 to provide more service from Downtown Portland to Milwaukie while at the same time giving crews a window to perform work on MAX tracks.

    Similar to Line 291, the night buses would replace trips after midnight on the MAX Blue, Red and Yellow lines. For the Blue Line, its shuttle buses would be split between two separate segments due to its length — a Blue Line East, between Cleveland Ave in Gresham and Goose Hollow, and Blue Line West, between Hatfield Government Center in Hillsboro and the Rose Quarter Transit Center. This will help buses stay on schedule and give operators more opportunities for breaks. A MAX Green Line night bus is not needed because the Green Line already has a nearly five-hour overnight work window. Additionally, service between Milwaukie and Downtown Portland would be added to the Line 291-Orange Night Bus, which currently offers only southbound service to Milwaukie.

    Skidmore Fountain: streamlining service

    The best transit system designs strike the right balance between speed and convenience in order to maximize ridership and serve the community. With this in mind, TriMet has examined ways to speed up service, including the removal of some MAX stations in Downtown Portland.

    In 2019, TriMet conducted a station optimization study to determine whether the closure of four downtown stations could improve efficiency and retain convenience. TriMet identified the Kings Hill/SW Salmon, Mall/SW 4th Ave, Mall/SW 5th Ave and Skidmore Fountain MAX stations as the best candidates for consolidation. While the other stations have already closed, Skidmore Fountain, which is only two blocks from the Old Town/Chinatown MAX Station—or 500 feet—underwent a multi-year review. TriMet is moving to close the station in fall 2025 as it has not met the two conditions identified to remain open: 1) ridership did not increase at the station and 2) development in the area did not occur. In addition to the Old Town/Chinatown Station being just two blocks away, the Oak/SW 1st Ave Station is also close by, just four blocks to the south.

    Evaluations following the closures of the Mall and Kings Hill/SW Salmon stations found time savings of two minutes, which we hope to further improve with Skidmore’s closure.

    Learn more at trimet.org/maxdowntown.

  • (VIDEO) TriMet’s ‘Clean Team’ puts sparkle on stations and transit centers

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

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

    Repairing and renewing TriMet facilities

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

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

    Making it better on board and off

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

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

    This includes:

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

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

    Keeping TriMet safe and clean

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

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

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