Bus operator

  • 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) Opportunities abound at TriMet hiring event

    Portland’s regional transit agency to add bus operators, mechanics and more in 2025

    Image of three TriMet employees posing next to a sign reading "TriMet Hiring Event Interviews."

    TriMet will welcome job applicants for our first hiring event of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

    We hired more than 400 new transit operators in 2024. Forbes Magazine even listed TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon — and the top Oregon-based employer — in their ranking of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024. We want to build on that momentum in 2025.

    Join our team! Check out the jobs we have available at trimet.org/careers. Some positions come with a $7,500 hiring bonus. All TriMet employees receive competitive pay and excellent benefits, including an employer contribution for their 401(a) retirement account, paid time off, a child care subsidy, and flexible and affordable health coverage plans.

    TriMet’s hiring event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Hyatt Regency at the Oregon Convention Center, 375 NE Holladay Street in Portland. TriMet staff will answer questions, take applications and share what it’s like to work at TriMet. Some applicants may be invited to interview on the spot!

    Driving for TriMet is ‘a dream come true’

    Operator Jim Zinn loves serving his riders! He greets everyone as they board, sometimes handing out stickers with words of encouragement like “You Make a Difference!” and “Thank You for Being Amazing!” to people who look like they might need them.

    “You can create the atmosphere that you want on your bus,” Jim says.

    Jim also appreciates the excellent benefits he receives as a TriMet employee, as well as the new four-year union contract that took effect in December 2024.

    “As someone who has a family, there’s some guarantees in here,” says Jim, a father of four. “And that’s what I really appreciate, because it’s security for my family.”

    Quick with a smile, Jim brightens up TriMet’s Powell Operations Facility in Southeast Portland — where he and many other TriMet bus operators report to begin their shifts. His humor and empathy resonate with coworkers. He also volunteers as a mentor for new bus operators.

    “I want to help other people get through the doors,” Jim explains, adding, “There’s so many operators that are willing to help invest into our new employees and people looking into the future.”

    TriMet offers mentorship and training opportunities to help employees advance in their careers. Employees who take higher or continuing education courses may also qualify for tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year. We support our employees and invest in their success!

    Last year, we established a new four-year labor agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757. This agreement guarantees an annual raise for all union employees and expands benefits. Under the new contract, the hourly wage for TriMet operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years.

    Learn more, apply and join our team!

    The Feb. 19 hiring event offers resources for anyone interested in becoming a bus operator or joining TriMet’s maintenance team. These are important positions for us to fill as we work to expand transit service.

    The hiring event will be held at the Hyatt Regency at the Oregon Convention Center, located just feet from the Convention Center MAX Station. The station is served by the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Additionally, bus lines 4, 6, 8, 44 and 77 stop within three blocks of the venue, as do the Portland Streetcar’s A and B loops. Plan your trip now at trimet.org!

    If you plan on driving to the event, parking is available in the garage on Northeast 2nd Avenue, between Holladay and Multnomah streets. We will validate parking for attendees. If the garage is full, street parking is generally available in the surrounding area. TriMet also maintains a number of Park & Ride locations where you can leave your car and take transit.

    TriMet is an equal opportunity employer. We believe people have a place at TriMet regardless of their race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

    Even if you can’t make it to the hiring event, you can always learn more about opportunities at TriMet, and find out how to apply, at trimet.org/careers.

  • Mark your calendar for Transit Driver Appreciation Day

    TriMet is celebrating our nearly 1,500 bus and rail operators on March 18; riders and community members are encouraged to show their support as well

    Monday, March 18, is Transit Driver Appreciation Day!

    Every year, TriMet takes this day to honor and celebrate the amazing operators who make our service possible. Some 1,463 people work for TriMet as bus or rail operators, including part-time and full-time employees. These dedicated public servants connect tens of thousands of people every day with jobs, schools, health care and other services, and recreation. Our operators demonstrate patience and grace as they exemplify TriMet’s commitment to safety.

    TriMet was the first transit agency in North America to begin celebrating a day for operators in 2013. Transit Driver Appreciation Day, also known as National Transit Employee Appreciation Day, is now celebrated across the United States and Canada every March 18.

    Show your support

    Operating a bus is hard work! Even TriMet’s smallest fixed-route buses are about 30 feet long, and our largest, the green articulated buses you’ll see along FX2, are 60 feet long. That’s a lot of bus, and it takes a skilled operator to handle it. Bus and LIFT paratransit operators navigate city streets that can be narrow, hilly and bustling with traffic. They share the road with cars, trucks, motorcycles, light rail vehicles, scooters and bicycles, not to mention pedestrians. They do their job in rain or shine, sleet or snow.

    And operating MAX and Portland Streetcar is no joke, either. Each of TriMet’s light rail operators have come up through the ranks of bus operators. Trains are complicated and can be technically challenging to operate. That’s especially true in urban environments when they’re running along the roadway and making stops every few city blocks. We also have hard-working conductors and engineers on our WES commuter rail line, who provide a quick, safe and reliable ride while making all feel welcome aboard.

    So, on Transit Driver Appreciation Day, show your appreciation! Say hello, be a courteous rider and thank your transit operator for the ride. Many of our operators value their daily interactions with riders and enjoy getting to know the people on their route. They take pride in getting their riders where they need to go on time. Let our operators know you’re glad to be a part of their day and help them to have a great day, too. Just a wave or a smile can go a long way!

    Celebrating our operators

    On the Transit Mall, TriMet employees and volunteers will be greeting bus and rail operators from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 18, and sending them on their way with hoots, cheers and waves.

    Catch the festivities on SW Fifth Avenue from Jefferson Street to Main Street and SW Sixth Avenue from Yamhill Street to Alder Street. Community members are welcome to join in! Sunshine and high temperatures near 70 degrees are in the forecast, and with the cherry blossoms coming into bloom, it should be a beautiful day in Downtown Portland.

    Additionally, we’ll have banners celebrating our operators at the Beaverton, Clackamas Town Center, Gresham and Rose Quarter transit centers. Riders are invited to sign those banners and write a brief message if they wish. Hundreds of riders shared their appreciation on banners throughout our transit system last year.

    Whether or not you’re riding with TriMet on Transit Driver Appreciation Day, you can still contribute! Leave a friendly word or encouraging message at trimet.org/thankyou. Along with our banner, we’ll be collecting comments on our website and social media platforms to share with bus and rail operators.

    TriMet also wants to salute our transit partners and their operators on Transit Driver Appreciation Day. We are happy to work with neighboring transit agencies and organizations like C-TRAN, Canby Area Transit (CAT), Ride Connection, Sandy Area Metro (SAM), South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) and more. Give them a wave if you see their buses out and about, and thank their operators if you ride with them, too!