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  • 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.
  • More buses, connections as TriMet rolls out new service in June

    More buses, connections as TriMet rolls out new service in June

    New and improved lines serve workers, residents in outer East Portland

    Image of a TriMet Line 87 bus at the intersection of Northeast 102nd Avenue and Prescott Street, on the Portland/Maywood Park city line.

    Riders will be able to catch a new TriMet bus line between Lents and the Columbia Corridor starting Sunday, June 1.

    Line 86-148th Ave will run between Lents Town Center, where it connects to the MAX Green Line, and Relay Resources near Northeast Airport Way. Riders can also transfer between Line 86 and the MAX Blue Line at the E 148th Ave MAX Station.

    Meanwhile, riders of Line 87-Airport Way/181st will see more buses arriving throughout the day, every day! Line 87 will become the 19th bus line in TriMet’s Frequent Service network on June 1.

    New and improved bus service

    Line 86

    Line 86 will connect workers with jobs in the Columbia Corridor area of Northeast Portland, including at Relay Resources — a vital jobs center for more than 800 people, many of whom live with disabilities. This new line will also provide an important north-south connection in outer East Portland, serving neighborhoods and businesses along 148th Avenue and Southeast Foster Road.

    The new service on Line 86 addresses community feedback we’ve been hearing for many years. TriMet has been planning for it since 2016.

    Line 87

    Line 87 will now stop at the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, while continuing to serve the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center as well. This route will improve connections between bus and MAX service in Northeast Portland.

    More buses will arrive throughout the day, every day, as Line 87 becomes the first new addition to TriMet’s Frequent Service network since 2023. Buses on Frequent Service lines arrive every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day.

    Line 47 and more

    Additionally, on the west side, Line 47-Main/Baseline will better serve employees at Intel’s Ronler Acres campus. We updated the route of Line 47 in March to provide direct bus service to Ronler Acres. This new service has been popular, so we’re adding another bus trip in the morning and again in the evening on weekdays to meet demand.

    These improvements are part of TriMet’s Forward Together service concept, developed in consultation with community leaders and shaped by public feedback. Our goal is to increase ridership by improving service and connections where people, especially on low and limited incomes, need it most.

    Check your bus schedule

    As we improve bus service, we may adjust schedules and stops to keep buses on time and improve connections.

    Riders of the following lines may see bus arrival times shift by 4 minutes or more:

    Plan your trip now at trimet.org. Be sure to set your travel date on or after June 1 to see updated routes, schedules and stop locations.

    Find more information at trimet.org/servicechange.

  • Do your part for the environment this Earth Day — ride and support TriMet!

    Do your part for the environment this Earth Day — ride and support TriMet!

    Local transit service replaces tens of millions of car trips each year, reducing air pollution, congestion

    Image of a TriMet battery-electric bus serving Line 9-Powell Blvd in Downtown Portland.

    More than 8 billion people share our planet. Every one of us has a responsibility to help keep it beautiful and livable.

    April 22 is Earth Day! Here at TriMet, we work hard every day of the year to get people where they need to go, reducing their dependence on driving. Our riders can leave their cars at home, or at one of our TriMet Park & Ride locations, and let our professional transit operators do the driving.

    Whenever you take transit instead of driving, you’re doing your part to reduce car emissions and save on gas. Plus, you’re cutting down on traffic congestion. That means better air quality, shorter travel times and safer streets.

    If transit is important to you, let your legislators know you support more funding for public transit in the 2025 state transportation package. Find your legislators here. Your voice is critical to avoid service cuts to transit throughout Oregon that could leave tens of thousands of Oregonians stranded. 

    Cleaner air, livable region

    TriMet plays a huge role in keeping our air clean. From July 2023 to June 2024, our bus and rail service diverted 49,532 metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) in car emissions.

    Transit also helps reduce congestion. TriMet buses and trains replaced the equivalent of 36.5 million car trips during the same period.

    When traffic is heavy, the odds of a crash go way up. Gridlock on roads and freeways also means more pollution. Internal combustion engines, which power most cars and trucks, continue emitting CO2 and other byproducts while they’re idling. When trips take longer because of congestion, more fuel and energy are consumed. That costs drivers money.

    TriMet provides alternatives to driving! Plan your trip at trimet.org and find out how you can save money, lower emissions and get where you need to go.

    Convenient, reliable public transportation

    TriMet offers a range of transportation options, including:

    • Bus service on 78 lines, serving communities across our region from Forest Grove to Estacada
    • MAX service on five lines, crisscrossing Portland City Center and connecting neighborhoods, employment centers and shopping districts in Portland, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Clackamas and Milwaukie
    • WES commuter rail service, providing a traffic-free trip between Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville
    • LIFT paratransit service, which allows riders with disabilities to schedule door-to-door service that meets their needs

    Additionally, we partner with the Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN. That means you can use Hop Fastpass® on all of our public transportation systems, making it easy to transfer from one to another.

    For questions about using TriMet, visit trimet.org/support or call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE).

    A cleaner, greener system

    TriMet is actively working to promote sustainability and livability for our region.

    Electric buses

    In the past year, TriMet has more than tripled the number of zero-emissions buses in our fleet.

    Our latest generation of battery-electric buses have extended range and more reserve power. We’ve rolled them out on some of our most popular lines. Riders on both the west side and the east side will now see “e-buses” in service, providing clean, quiet rides throughout our service area.

    We’ve also laid the groundwork to introduce fuel-cell electric buses to our fleet. These zero-emissions buses would be the first of their kind to serve transit riders in Oregon.

    Clean energy

    Our e-buses aren’t the only way we’re lowering emissions. We’ve reduced our overall greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% since 2022, when we switched over to R99 renewable diesel for our buses and WES trains and renewable energy to power MAX and all TriMet facilities.

    MAX is all-electric, and it doesn’t generate air pollution as it travels. Since 1986, MAX has been one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly ways to get around our region!

    Transit-oriented development

    Transit access is game-changing for residents and businesses near MAX stations. That makes MAX attractive to developers! We celebrated the groundbreaking for hollywoodHUB, an affordable housing development just feet from our Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave MAX Station, earlier this year.

    Transit-oriented development, like hollywoodHUB, is huge for the local economy. Plus, when people live close to transit, they use transit more, which is great for the environment and helps reduce congestion.

    TriMet supports sustainable development. In recent years, we’ve seen redevelopment around our MAX stations in Southeast Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro and Milwaukie, too. This transit-oriented development can be a vision of the future, if we, as Oregonians, support transit.

    Invaluable, but in peril

    For more than 55 years, TriMet has been connecting people to opportunities, providing alternatives to driving, and promoting our vision to make our region one of the world’s most livable places.

    But as important a role as TriMet and other transit providers in Oregon play, we face an uncertain future.

    Inflation has driven up the cost of providing transit service by over 50% in the last five years.

    Historically, transit has enjoyed bipartisan support in Oregon — but the current level of funding proposed for transit is not enough to avoid cuts to service in the future. Unless state lawmakers support more funding for transit, many Oregonians will be stranded without the transportation they depend on.

    Together with transit agencies across Oregon, TriMet is calling for state lawmakers to approve a phased 0.4% increase in the employee payroll tax that funds transit over the next eight years.

    Without a revenue increase to make up for the increased cost of providing service, TriMet may be forced to cut as many as 34 bus lines starting in 2027, with additional cuts to follow, until our operating budget deficit is resolved. These buses serve thousands of riders every week, connecting people to jobs, school, health care appointments and more. They take cars off the road, making our streets safer and our air cleaner.

    You can help us keep our buses on the road and protect our environment. Please show your support for transit service this Earth Day.

  • 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.

  • Free and easy: TriMet is best way to go for Thorns fans

    Free and easy: TriMet is best way to go for Thorns fans

    Tickets to any Thorns home game in 2025-26 can be used as TriMet fare before and after event

    Image of TriMet buses serving Providence Park in the evening.

    As the Portland Thorns prepare for their first home game of 2025, you can plan your free trip to Providence Park at trimet.org.

    That’s right: free! For up to three hours before kickoff and after the final whistle, your ticket to a Portland Timbers or Thorns home game is your proof of fare on any TriMet bus, MAX or LIFT paratransit vehicle, as well as the Portland Streetcar.

    The Thorns host Angel City FC at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21.

    Go by TriMet

    TriMet is the best way to get to and from Providence Park. MAX Blue Line and Red Line trains serve the Providence Park MAX Station, just feet from the stadium. Several bus lines also stop at or near Providence Park, including:

    Riders can park for free at a TriMet Park & Ride to take the bus or MAX to Providence Park.

    This is the second year we’ve partnered with the Timbers and Thorns to accept game tickets as proof of fare. We’re expanding that partnership in 2025 and 2026 to also include concerts at Providence Park!

    Visit trimet.org/providencepark for more information.

    Follow this guide

    Riding transit to cheer on the Timbers and Thorns is a breeze. Here are six simple steps to help guide you:

    Step 1 — Plan your trip online at trimet.org. You can also set your desired arrival time, customize which modes of travel you’d like to use and how far you’re willing to walk or roll to the stadium, and find the best travel option.

    Step 2 — Leave your car behind. Even if you don’t live close by a bus stop or MAX station, TriMet has dozens of parking facilities throughout the region. Park for free at a TriMet Park & Ride and hop on board. You can also track your bus or train with our real-time map at trimet.org.

    Step 3 — Have your digital game ticket ready. If you go by bus or LIFT, show your operator the ticket as you board. If you’re taking MAX or the Portland Streetcar, display your ticket if you’re asked for proof of fare.

    Step 4 — Hop off at Providence Park. The stadium is just a short stroll away. Say goodbye to having to hike to the game from a faraway parking spot!

    Step 5 — Enjoy the game! Both the Timbers and Thorns feature some exciting new and returning players this season. Additionally, there are new concession options at Providence Park this year, along with a brand-new patio.

    Step 6 — Head back on TriMet. This is a great opportunity to talk about the game with other fans, whip out your smartphone to buy tickets to the next home game, or maybe just put on your headphones and enjoy the ride.

    Where to park

    Slogging through traffic and finding a place to park is stressful. Plus, if you’ve driven to a Timbers or Thorns game before, you probably know that parking near Providence Park is more expensive before, during and after the game. Those event parking fees can drive up the cost of attending a game in a big way.

    Unless otherwise indicated, TriMet doesn’t charge for parking at our Park & Rides. If you’re taking transit, you can park for free.

    Park & Rides

    Here are just a few places you can park, at no cost, to take TriMet to Providence Park:

    • Beaverton Creek, SW 153rd Avenue and Millikan Way in Beaverton (served by the MAX Blue Line and Red Line)
    • Delta Park/Vanport, 1940 N Victory Blvd in Portland (served by the MAX Yellow Line and bus Line 6)
    • Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center, 9839 NE Multnomah Street in Portland (served by the MAX Blue Line, Red Line and Green Line, as well as multiple bus lines, including Line 15 and Line 24)
    • Gresham Central Transit Center, NE 8th Street & Kelly Avenue in Gresham (served by the MAX Blue Line and multiple bus lines, including Line 20)
    • Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds, 601 NE 34th Ave in Hillsboro (served by the MAX Blue Line and Red Line)
    • Millikan Way, SW Millikan Way and 141st Avenue in Beaverton (served by the MAX Blue Line and Red Line)
    • SE Park Ave, 2735 SE Park Ave in Oak Grove (served by the MAX Orange Line)
    • Sunset Transit Center, 10470 SW Barnes Road in Beaverton (served by the MAX Blue Line and Red Line, as well as multiple bus lines, including Line 20)
    • Willow Creek/SW 185th Ave Transit Center, SW 185th Avenue & Edgeway Drive in Hillsboro (served by the MAX Blue Line and Red Line)

    Please be aware TriMet Park & Rides sometimes fill up on game day! The Sunset Transit Center is our closest Park & Ride to Providence Park. It also has a parking garage. That means it’s a popular place for fans to leave their cars. Just a 10- to 20-minute drive from Sunset, we also have our Beaverton Creek, Millikan Way and Willow Creek Park & Rides. They may be a better place to park closer to game time.

    The MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines do not serve the Providence Park MAX Station directly. Riders can transfer at Pioneer Courthouse Square, which is served by all five MAX lines, or walk or roll to the stadium from there.

  • TriMet celebrates Transit Driver Appreciation Day

    TriMet celebrates Transit Driver Appreciation Day

    Annual day of recognition, March 18, highlights amazing work of bus, MAX, WES, Portland Streetcar and LIFT paratransit operators

    Image of women holding "We ❤️ our transit operators" and "Thank you operators" signs with a TriMet bus in the background.

    Every day of the year, TriMet’s hardworking transit operators drive the streets of communities across the Portland metro area, getting people where they need to go.

    On March 18, Transit Driver Appreciation Day, we’re celebrating these amazing public servants for everything they do for riders throughout the region.

    Please join us in showing our bus, MAX, WES, Portland Streetcar and LIFT paratransit operators how much we appreciate everything they do! Check out trimet.org/thankyou for more information and resources.

    “Transit operators deserve to be appreciated every day,” says Donnie Vercher, TriMet’s Director of Bus Operations. “Give them a wave or a smile, greet them when you get on the bus, thank them when you get off the bus. A simple act of kindness makes your driver feel seen, valued and appreciated.”

    Operators who care

    Being a transit operator is hard work! Our operators learn to control large vehicles, share the road with cars, trucks, bicycles, pedestrians and other transit vehicles, and provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for their riders.

    Even so, for many TriMet operators, it’s a dream job. Our operators feel comfortable at the wheel of a bus or the controls of a train. They look forward to the daily interactions they have with riders, greeting regulars by name and learning about their lives. They value small gestures of gratitude and respect, simple good-mornings and thank-yous that tell them their service is appreciated.

    Here are the stories of just four of our amazing operators.

    Image of TriMet Bus Operator Ernest Huerta

    Ernest Huerta

    For 13 years, Ernest Huerta has been welcoming riders aboard his TriMet bus with a friendly smile.

    Ernest came to TriMet after working as a truck driver. He was looking for a steady job where he could put his skills behind the wheel to good use. At TriMet, he found what he had been looking for — including great pay and benefits.

    Ernest found something else to love about TriMet, too. Instead of spending the day alone in the cab of a truck, he gets to greet riders throughout the day from the driver’s seat of his bus. He says it’s what he likes most about driving for TriMet.

    “If you build the atmosphere, you’re nice to people, they’re going to reciprocate,” Ernest says.

    Not only does Ernest appreciate the relationships he has built with his regular riders, he also enjoys meeting new people who get on his bus. That’s one of the reasons he likes working during special events, like the upcoming Portland Rose Festival. For him, every time he presses the button to open his bus’s doors is like opening a Cracker Jack box to find the prize inside.

    “I’m always expecting the best,” Ernest says with a smile.

    Image of TriMet MAX Operator Cori Loggins

    Cori Loggins

    While Cori Loggins has only been driving for TriMet for a couple of years, our transit agency has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.

    Cori drove for TriMet LIFT for a few months before deciding to apply to become a bus operator. (LIFT paratransit drivers work with TriMet as contractors, while bus and MAX operators are TriMet employees.) After a short time driving buses for TriMet, he became a MAX operator.

    “I got the confidence doing TriMet LIFT, doing the smaller buses,” Cori explains. “It’s like, if I could do this, I can do a bigger bus. If I could do the bus, I could possibly do a train. So, it’s been a journey.”

    Cori says that for him, being a transit operator is a way to give back to his community. He also enjoys volunteering with employee groups, supporting people in need.

    As a lifelong Portlander, Cori is proud of the service that TriMet provides, and he’s proud to be a part of it.

    “Right here, we have one of the best transit systems in the country, if not the world,” says Cori, whose wife also works for TriMet. “That’s a blessing.”

    Image of TriMet MAX Operator Shana Peck

    Shana Peck

    Just two years after she was hired, Shana Peck was named as our 2024 MAX Operator of the Year. It’s a huge honor that speaks to the reputation for excellence and the respect that Shana has earned in a relatively short time as an operator.

    Like Cori, Shana worked with TriMet as a LIFT contractor before she was hired as a full-time operator. Her goal was to become a MAX operator, and she achieved it within months of officially joining TriMet.

    “It was always kind of a dream to come work here, because there was a lot of opportunity,” Shana says.

    Shana has enjoyed the opportunity to test the new MAX Type 6 trains. She fondly recalls putting them through their paces at 3 a.m. as part of the “burn-in,” a testing period that prepares our next-generation trains to welcome riders aboard.

    As much as she likes operating MAX, Shana takes pride in serving her riders. Many of them depend on TriMet to get around.

    “Seeing how many people that don’t drive, it’s nice being able to make a difference in people’s lives, getting them and from work every day or to the activities that they want to go to,” Shana says.

    Image of TriMet Bus Operator Jim Zinn

    Jim Zinn

    After a career in health care administration, Jim Zinn decided it was time for a new direction. He joined TriMet in 2018, drawn to the job by the excellent benefits that our employees receive.

    Jim is well known at TriMet for his sense of humor, as well as his personal warmth and generosity. He often carries a roll of sparkly stickers with him, using them to decorate the interior of his TriMet FX® bus with positive messages and giving them out to people. In the wintertime, when it’s cold outside, he’ll even give away gloves to riders who need them.

    “I think that the operators that we have out there are truly amazing people who are working very hard to help everybody get around our city, and really actively thinking of ways to make things better in our system and on their bus,” Jim says.

    Like Ernest, Jim says creating a positive atmosphere on his bus is important to him. He likes knowing that he’s made someone’s day a little brighter.

    “What makes my job unique is the people — connecting with different people, listening to their stories, listening to people talk on the bus, hearing them laugh when they get on,” Jim says. “That makes it fun, and you don’t get that in any other job.”

    Image of a man holding a "Your dedication keeps us on the right track" sign alongside a TriMet MAX train in Downtown Portland.

    Sharing the love

    Our operators aren’t just the face of TriMet — they are our heart and soul.

    TriMet first celebrated a day for transit operators in 2013. Our commemoration of Transit Driver Appreciation Day caught on! In the years since then, many other transit agencies across the United States and Canada have begun celebrating March 18 as a special day of appreciation for operators and other transit employees.

    You might hear some friendly honking, cheering and applause if you’re out and about in Downtown Portland today! TriMet’s “Tunnel of Appreciation” has become a beloved annual tradition for our employees to celebrate our more than 1,600 hardworking operators. Hundreds of our employees take shifts on the Transit Mall throughout the day, waving signs and rooting on transit operators at work — including our partners at C-TRAN! Fans and passersby are more than welcome to join us.

    While cheering on operators at the PSU Urban Center and Beaverton, Clackamas Town Center, Gresham Central and Rose Quarter transit centers, we’ve set up “Banners of Appreciation” there, too. Riders are encouraged to write positive messages on them. The banners will be displayed at our bus and rail operations facilities for our operators to see.

    You can also send in your own message of appreciation for TriMet operators at trimet.org/thankyou. This website has cards you can print out for operators, a graphic you can share on social media and more.

    And, of course, you can make any day your own personal Transit Driver Appreciation Day:

    • Say a quick “thank you” when you get off the bus.
    • Wave to your MAX, WES or Portland Streetcar operator when you pass by the train.
    • Be courteous and follow our Rules for Riding.
    • If you have an exceptional experience on TriMet, consider submitting a commendation! Visit trimet.org/thanks, or call or text 503-238-7433 (RIDE). Commendations are part of a TriMet employee’s permanent record. Receiving one is a tremendous honor that helps validate the work our operators do to serve people every day.
  • (VIDEO) Join TriMet’s maintenance team and make over $90,000 in year one

    (VIDEO) Join TriMet’s maintenance team and make over $90,000 in year one

    Workers receive excellent benefits, union representation and opportunities for advancement

    Image of a TriMet maintenance worker operating machinery at the Ruby Junction Rail Operations Facility.

    Are you a mechanic or vehicle technician looking for a new job?

    Come join the team that keeps our region moving! TriMet is hiring bus mechanics, light rail vehicle technicians and other important positions that are eligible for a $7,500 hiring bonus!

    Buses, trains and streetcars get thousands of people in the Portland metro area where they need to go, every day. These big vehicles are a big responsibility, though. TriMet’s maintenance team keeps them rolling along — tuning up the diesel engines and electric motors that drive our bus fleet, tending to the power supply for our zero-emissions MAX trains, and much more.

    What TriMet offers

    New mechanics, technicians and maintainers start at $43.83 an hour. Working full time, a maintenance worker at TriMet can make over $90,000 in their first year on the job.

    These positions are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757. Under a new labor agreement between TriMet and the union, workers get a pay increase each year — as well as a 9% employer contribution to their 401(a) retirement plan, which will increase to 10% in 2028. The contract includes a 13.64% increase over four years.

    Union employees are also entitled to important benefits, which include:

    • Affordable, flexible health care coverage options, including dental and vision care plans.
    • A tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 annually, supporting employees as they work toward a degree or certificate.
    • A child care subsidy of up to $150 monthly, helping employees to support their families.

    We support our employees who are looking for opportunities to progress in their careers! TriMet hires supervisors from within. Additionally, leadership and learning courses are available to all TriMet employees, at no cost to them.

    Speaking from experience

    Joe Ruffin has worked at TriMet’s Ruby Junction Rail Operations Facility in Gresham for nearly 30 years. He’s now seen six generations of MAX vehicles come through his maintenance shop.

    “I never thought I’d be here this long,” Joe laughs.

    But, he adds, “I love it. From the start, I fell in love with it.”

    Joe is one of many hardworking light rail vehicle technicians at Ruby Junction and the Elmonica Rail Operations Facility in Beaverton. TriMet’s approximately 150 light rail vehicles call these two facilities home.

    It takes a lot of work to keep our MAX trains in good working condition. In a typical month, our train cars log about 700,000 miles in total, crisscrossing the region on 60 miles of trackway. That’s enough to wrap around the Earth 28 times!

    But while our maintenance team works with machinery, their priority is people.

    “We’re doing a public service, and we’re doing a good thing for the public. And that’s what I always tell everyone: Look at all the people we’re helping,” Joe explains. “We want to make sure they have a nice, safe, comfortable ride.”

    Joe is active in the union, too. He’s passionate about the pay and benefits that he and other employees earn at TriMet.

    “It’s a good place to work. It’s a good place to build a career,” Joe says. “We’ve got a really good Working and Wage Agreement and working relationship with management.”

    Apply today!

    TriMet is hiring! Check out our current job openings at trimet.org/careers.

    Details about each open position are available, including the job description and requirements, an explanation of the pay and benefits, and information on how to apply and what to expect during the hiring process.

    Our website also lists which positions are eligible for a $7,500 hiring bonus. That includes new bus mechanics, light rail vehicle technicians, transit operators and more!

    You can apply online! Find the details on what you need to apply on our website.

  • (VIDEO) TriMet connects communities, commuters on Line 40

    (VIDEO) TriMet connects communities, commuters on Line 40

    New bus line, with weekly ridership over 5,000, runs from Sellwood to Swan Island

    Image of a Line 40 bus with the header "Via Portland City Center" and Portland's docks in the background.

    TriMet rolled out new bus lines in 2024, as we continue to implement our Forward Together service concept.

    The most popular of these new lines, so far? Line 40-Tacoma/Swan Island, with service connecting Portland City Center to the Sellwood neighborhood in Southeast Portland and the Swan Island industrial area in North Portland.

    Line 40 replaced service on two lesser-used bus lines (85 and 99). It serves commuters from early in the morning to late at night, improves connections for riders, and connects some of Portland’s most iconic neighborhoods.

    Since Line 40 began serving riders in August 2024, it has averaged over 5,000 weekly rides. Ridership has grown as people get to know the new line!

    Community support

    The new Line 40 was created with the support of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE), one of Portland’s neighborhood associations.

    “We’re not just a suburban neighborhood,” explains Grant Huling, who chairs SMILE’s Transportation Committee. “We have a mix of renters and owners, apartments and single-family and townhomes, which we’re proud of and really creates our character.”

    Huling adds: “The perennial transit issue for Sellwood and Moreland is that we’re bisected by Tacoma Street, which is what feeds onto the Sellwood Bridge.”

    Line 40 provides reliable service across the Sellwood Bridge, seven days a week. Residents can leave their cars at home, or at the SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek Park & Ride, and take the bus across the bridge instead. That means less traffic — and more opportunities for people in the community.

    “Having a bus that actually goes over the bridge consistently and not just during rush hour is super-helpful to me,” says community member Frankie Spurbeck.

    Spurbeck has been riding the Line 40 nearly every week since it started service. They take the bus to travel between neighborhoods and visit friends on the other side of the Willamette River.

    Convenience and connectivity

    Spurbeck says they’ve been amazed by how fast and easy it is to take the new Line 40. The line has reduced the time it takes them to travel between the South Waterfront and Sellwood to mere minutes.

    “It’s ridiculous how quickly I can get around with it,” Spurbeck says. “I think it rocks.”

    Huling describes Line 40 as “a true commuter-reliable line.” The line serves largely residential neighborhoods like Sellwood, as well as employment areas like Swan Island, connecting jobs and homes. On weekdays, Line 40 runs about every half-hour, from 5 a.m. until after midnight, using a shortened route late at night.

    Line 40 connects with all five of TriMet’s MAX lines: the MAX Orange Line at SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek, and the MAX Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines at the Rose Quarter Transit Center. Riders can also transfer between Line 40 and other bus lines, as well as MAX and the Portland Streetcar, on the Transit Mall.

    It’s easy to plan your trip at trimet.org, including transfers.

    Meeting people where they live

    Huling and Spurbeck see people from all walks of life using the new Line 40. Workers take Line 40 north to jobs in the Swan Island industrial area. Students ride Line 40, too, with stops at Portland State University. Students and commuters alike can also ride Line 40 to Oregon Health & Science University. The line connects to Marquam Hill via the Portland Aerial Tram.

    “It’s a way to make the city more livable for people who don’t have cars, and an easier place to live,” says Spurbeck, who doesn’t own a car and prefers to take TriMet.

    “The only option to maintain that character of a small, tightknit city with neighborhoods is to not double down on cars,” adds Huling.

    As an advocate for Line 40 and other bus service improvements, Huling appreciates that Portland has sought to preserve neighborhoods like Sellwood, investing in transit and multimodal transportation rather than widening roads.

    “We have a pretty light roadway footprint here, and that enables everything else you love about Portland,” Huling says. “The less gray, the more green.”

    Forward Together

    The new Line 40 was developed with community input through Forward Together.

    TriMet is revamping bus service with Forward Together. We’ve enlisted the help of community members and leaders in this effort. Public feedback helps to shape our service! Our goal is to increase ridership and create a better bus system — especially for people with low and limited incomes. Line 40 is a cornerstone of that improved network.

    SMILE gives TriMet credit for listening to the community’s wishes and working with residents to create a line that meets their needs.

    “TriMet stepped up,” Huling says.

    TriMet will roll out additional service improvements on Sunday, March 2. The improvements include new routes for Line 6-Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Line 47-Main/Evergreen. Stay tuned for more news on improvements to come later this year!

  • More buses, better connections on TriMet for workers

    More buses, better connections on TriMet for workers

    March 2 brings upgrades for 10 bus lines, along with adjustments to schedules, stop locations

    Image of a TriMet bus serving Line 70-12th/NE 33rd Ave.

    Does rush-hour traffic get you down? Leave your car behind and take the bus to work!

    TriMet is adding new service to employment centers in Hillsboro and North Portland on Sunday, March 2. We’re improving several bus lines to better serve riders’ needs, especially those who count on TriMet to get to and from jobs and classes.

    We’re also improving two of our new bus lines running in place of MAX late at night, providing more late-night service to the Portland International Airport.

    Plan your trip now at trimet.org! Be sure to set the date in the trip planner to March 2 or later.

    Improving TriMet’s bus service

    We’re improving service on 10 bus lines starting March 2.

    Some buses on Line 6-Martin Luther King Jr Blvd will now serve Amazon facilities in North Portland. Buses on Line 6 will alternate between a route that serves Northeast Vancouver Way and a route along North Schmeer Road, between Northeast Gertz Road and the Delta Park/Vanport MAX Station.

    Line 47-Main/Evergreen will serve a new route with stops at Intel’s Ronler Acres campus and the Willow Creek Transit Center in Hillsboro. This improvement connects Line 47 riders to the MAX Blue and Red lines and additional bus lines at Willow Creek. It also provides direct service to one of the region’s largest employment centers.

    The new route means Line 47 will no longer serve Northwest Bronson Road, 174th Avenue and Laidlaw Road, due to low ridership. However, we’re adding more trips on Line 67-Bethany/158th, both earlier in the morning and later in the evening on weekdays, so we can better serve riders in the Bethany area. Line 67 will continue to provide TriMet bus service to the Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus.

    We’re also adding more buses on these Frequent Service lines:

    Riders of Line 70-12th/NE 33rd Ave will also see more weekday morning service.

    We’re improving service on Line 287-Blue Eastside Bus and Line 292-Red Bus as well. These lines are among TriMet’s newest bus lines. We rolled them out last August to provide late-night service in place of MAX trains, giving maintenance crews more time to work on the MAX light rail system overnight. We’re adding buses on these two lines to better address our riders’ needs.

    Additionally, we’re adjusting some bus stop locations at Clackamas Community College, the Parkrose Transit Center and the Willow Creek Transit Center to improve connections.

    You can find more information and updated schedules at trimet.org/servicechange.

    Schedule adjustments

    We periodically adjust bus schedules to make it easier for riders to make connections and get where they’re going on time.

    Starting March 2, we’re moving some bus arrival times by 6 minutes or more on the following lines:

    Two morning trips on Line 8-Jackson Park/NE 15th that only run between Downtown Portland and Marquam Hill will be discontinued due to low use.

    If you ride one or more of these bus lines, be sure to check trimet.org and plan your trip! Set the date for March 2 or later to find the best travel option for you.

    Improving service with Forward Together

    The March 2 service improvements are part of TriMet’s Forward Together service concept, developed with the community. Through Forward Together, we’re revamping our bus service throughout the region to make bus better, especially for people with low and limited incomes. Many people rely on TriMet to access opportunities and meet their essential needs. We provide tens of thousands of rides to work, school, health care and other services every day.

  • Timbers ticketholders take TriMet to and from home games for free!

    Timbers ticketholders take TriMet to and from home games for free!

    Leave your car at local Park & Ride, show your digital game ticket on board as proof of fare

    Image of four people, two of them wearing Portland Timbers caps, standing in the doorway of a TriMet MAX train.

    The Portland Timbers kick off their home schedule Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.

    So, what’s the best way to get to Providence Park and cheer on the home team? Take TriMet! If you have a ticket to any Timbers home game in 2025 or 2026, you also have a ticket to ride TriMet for free on match days, from three hours before kickoff to three hours after the final whistle. Tickets are valid fare on all TriMet buses, MAX and LIFT.

    Planning to cheer on the Portland Thorns FC at their home opener Friday, March 21, 2025, or any other home game in 2025 or 2026? It’s the same deal — just show your digital ticket to the game, and that’s your ticket to ride!

    New this year, this ticket promotion covers concerts at Providence Park! Take TriMet to see Post Malone with Jelly Roll on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Your digital concert ticket is your proof of fare on TriMet for up to three hours before and after the show.

    Visit trimet.org to plan your trip today!

    Saving money, skipping stress

    Traffic and parking in the area around Providence Park can be a major headache on game day. Event pricing means parking costs more, and limited availability means soccer fans are often in for a long walk or roll to the stadium.

    Fortunately, there’s an easy way around all of that: ride with TriMet!

    The MAX Blue and Red lines will drop you off just feet from Providence Park. Several bus lines also have stops at or near the stadium, including:

    If you use our LIFT paratransit service, you can also book a trip at lift.trimet.org and present your digital ticket to the game or concert as your ticket to ride.

    Getting there from where you are

    It’s easy to ride TriMet, even if you don’t live near a bus stop or MAX station.

    We have dozens of parking facilities throughout the region, where you can leave your car and hop on board. At every TriMet Park & Ride, parking is free for anyone taking TriMet.

    That’s right: If you have a ticket to a game or concert at Providence Park, you can both park and ride TriMet to and from the event at no additional cost!

    Some of our most popular Park & Rides, like the Sunset Transit Center, can fill up during the day, especially on game day. Instead, consider one of our other westside Park & Rides also served by the MAX Blue and Red lines, such as:

    • Millikan Way, SW Millikan Way and 141st Avenue in Beaverton
    • Beaverton Creek, SW 153rd Avenue and Millikan Way in Beaverton
    • Elmonica/SW 170th Ave, 1200 SW 170th Ave in Beaverton
    • Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds, 601 NE 34th Ave in Hillsboro
    • Willow Creek/SW 185th Ave Transit Center, 375 SW 185th Ave in Hillsboro

    We also have eastside Park & Ride locations where riders can leave their car and get to the game, including:

    • Cleveland Ave, NE 8th Street & Cleveland Avenue in Gresham (served by the MAX Blue Line)
    • Delta Park/Vanport, 1940 N Victory Blvd in Portland (served by the MAX Yellow Line and bus Line 6)
    • Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center, 9839 NE Multnomah Street in Portland (served by the MAX Blue, Red and Green lines and multiple bus lines, including Line 15 and Line 24)
    • Gresham Central Transit Center, NE 8th Street & Kelly Avenue in Gresham (served by the MAX Blue Line and multiple bus lines, including Line 20)
    • Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, 9525 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland (served by the MAX Red Line)
    • SE Park Ave, 2735 SE Park Ave in Oak Grove (served by the MAX Orange Line)
    • SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek, 8300 SE McLoughlin Blvd in Portland (served by the MAX Orange Line)

    The MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines do not serve the Providence Park MAX Station directly. Riders can transfer at Pioneer Courthouse Square, which is served by all five MAX lines, or take the 15-minute stroll to the park.

    Plan your trip in advance at trimet.org and find the best travel option for you!

    Be a savvy TriMet rider!

    It’s easy to get around on TriMet! Our website has resources for riders, including our trip planner, safety and security information, and ways to contact us. Information is available in multiple languages.

    When you’re traveling to or from Providence Park for a Timbers or Thorns game or concert, remember to present your digital ticket to your bus or LIFT operator, or if a TriMet Customer Safety Supervisor asks for your fare on MAX. Children 6 and under always ride for free on TriMet.

    Check out our Rules for Riding before you go. You can also reach TriMet Security 24 hours a day by calling or texting 503-238-7433 (RIDE).

    Visit trimet.org/providencepark for more information.