TriMet News

Tag: MAX

  • TriMet construction near SW 11th & Morrison to improve reliability on MAX Blue and Red lines

    A weekend disruption from Nov. 16-17 will help upgrade a 100-foot section of the original MAX system in Downtown Portland

    This November, TriMet crews will make improvements to a 100-foot section of the MAX system in Southwest Portland. This will require a short disruption to the MAX Blue and Red lines near the Galleria/SW 10th Ave MAX Station, with work taking place on Southwest 11th Avenue and Morrison Street. 

    TriMet encourages riders to plan ahead Saturday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 17, as construction will disrupt service between the Galleria/SW 10th Ave and Providence Park MAX stations. Trains will be disrupted for less than a half mile. Only the westbound platform of Providence Park will be closed. For westbound trips from Providence Park, riders will use the eastbound platform. Regular MAX Blue and Red Line service will resume on Monday, Nov. 18. MAX Green, Orange and Yellow Line trains are not affected by the project and will operate on their regular schedules.

    While the SW 11th Ave & Morrison MAX Improvement Project will not completely close any MAX station, TriMet will provide shuttle buses to move riders around the construction zone. Riders may also choose to walk, bike or use a mobility device to travel a little over 0.40 miles, which takes around eight minutes.

    A view of the MAX turnout. Left, the turnout is under construction in the 1980s, ahead of the opening of MAX. Right, how the turnout looks today. It sits between Southwest Morrison and Yamhill streets at 11th Avenue. The switch on Southwest Morrison Street, which moves trains off the mainline through the turnout, will be removed during the project.

    During the project, crews will remove a rail switch, used by trains to move from one track to another. It was part of the original Downtown endpoint of the MAX Blue Line from 1986 to 1997, a period when trains regularly used the switch as a way of turning around to head back in the opposite direction. In 1998, the MAX Blue Line’s Westside Extension to Washington County was completed, creating what remains the longest uninterrupted MAX line in TriMet’s light rail system, stretching more than 30 miles between Gresham and Hillsboro. Nowadays, the switch and the original MAX turnout at Southwest 11th Avenue and Morrison Street is typically used by extra service trains serving Timbers and Thorns games or other special events.

    The weekend disruption will allow crews to work around the clock to complete the work.

    Shuttle buses will arrive about every five minutes to take riders between the Galleria/SW 10th Ave and Providence Park MAX stations. Riders can sign up for service alerts and receive reminders about this and other planned or unplanned service adjustments by going to trimet.org/alerts. 

    Plan ahead

    While the scope of the project will be contained to a small area, we encourage riders traveling through Downtown on the MAX Blue and Red lines to plan an extra 15 minutes for their trips. There will also be minor impacts to auto traffic along Southwest Morrison Street between Southwest 10th and 12th Avenues while the project is underway. Construction flaggers and signs will direct motorists around the workzone.

    We will have staff near the shuttle bus locations for most of the day to help riders make their connections. Signs will also direct riders to these stops.

    Eastbound trains from Hillsboro

    Trains heading from Hillsboro to Downtown Portland will stop and offload riders at Providence Park. To continue your MAX trip, board a shuttle bus on Southwest 18th Avenue near Southwest Morrison Street. It will take you to a stop at Southwest 10th Avenue. From there, go south to the Library/SW 9th Ave MAX Station to board a MAX Blue Line train to Gresham or MAX Red Line train to Portland International Airport. 

    Westbound trains to Hillsboro

    MAX Blue and Red Line trains heading west to Hillsboro will stop and offload riders at the SW 10th Ave/Galleria MAX Station. To continue on MAX, board the shuttle bus at Southwest 10th Avenue and Morrison Street. It will take you to Southwest 18th Avenue, with the Providence Park MAX Station nearby. From the Providence Park eastbound platform, you can board a MAX Blue Line to Hatfield Government Center MAX Station or MAX Red Line to Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station.

    Fuller shuttle buses expected Nov. 17

    The Portland Trail Blazers are playing a 3 p.m. game at the Moda Center on Sunday, Nov. 17, which will likely result in more riders near Providence Park and a greater demand for shuttle buses. Walking, biking or using a mobility device to go between Providence Park and the Library/SW 9th Ave MAX Station may be an option for some. The two stations are less than half a mile apart via Southwest Yamhill Street. 

    Improvements and reliability

    By making improvements to the light rail system, TriMet is ensuring that MAX trains remain a consistent and reliable means of transportation for years to come. With roughly 60 miles of track connecting 97 stations spread across three counties, MAX is the third largest light rail system in the Western United States–and the second oldest.

    Improvements help boost reliability and improve the customer experience with smoother rides. In recent years, that has meant adding track between the Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport, improving train movement through the Gateway area and extending the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds, all part of our recently completed A Better Red MAX Improvements and Reliability Project.  


    Crews work hard to keep the system moving. We appreciate your understanding as they complete this work, and we thank you for your patience. For information on the project, go to trimet.org/improvements.

  • (VIDEO) Graduation day stirs excitement in new MAX operators, among the first hired externally

    Graduation marks another recruitment milestone for TriMet’s ongoing hiring initiative

    It’s unheard of for every graduate of a TriMet training class to share one unique trait. But that’s what happened earlier this month when more than a dozen MAX trainees made the jump into the operator’s seat.

    The graduates were part of the first rail training class dedicated entirely to MAX operators hired from outside of TriMet. Prior to this, MAX operators were required to spend time operating a bus first. The change came as part of TriMet’s hiring push, an ongoing initiative to fill open operator and maintenance positions. 

    The new operators will join TriMet at an exciting time, with the agency being ranked as one of the five best places in Oregon to work, based on a survey of current employees. With their title of MAX Operator now official, the new graduates say they’re excited to help riders reach their destinations. That’s the most fulfilling part of the job, according to Larry, who graduated from the training class.

    “There are people who will go out of the way to thank you,” Larry said. “And it makes you happy that you went through all the steps to help people get from point A to point B.”

    Zoe, another recent graduate, said new operators feel prepared to operate a 100,000-pound train.

    “Now that I’m at the end of all this experience and all this training, I feel like I’m ready,” Zoe said. “I feel lucky to have made it this far. It’s definitely a pretty unique experience.”

    It’s also an experience that remains open to others throughout the community. TriMet has once again posted the job and is accepting applications from the general public. In addition to joining the ranks of a select number of well-trained MAX operators, new hires also receive a $7,500 hiring bonus!

    Twelve weeks of rail training

    When TriMet first began recruiting external candidates for MAX operator positions in spring 2024, it led to 851 applications, the single largest number of applications ever received over a two-month period. Of those who applied, 50 candidates received job offers.

    But first, they had to go through training.

    MAX light rail training is rigorous. Prior to training, candidates must have a Commercial Driver’s License permit, which is earned by passing a written test. Then they need to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, a process for which TriMet provides the training. After that, rail training begins: 12 weeks of classroom instruction, weekly tests and lots of time spent behind the controls of every type of light rail vehicle in our fleet. Currently, TriMet has six types of light rail vehicles, covering four decades of train technology.

    Those who don’t pass rail training are offered the opportunity to enter the bus training program, an eight-week course. They also receive the same $7,500 hiring bonus.

    Whether they’re operating a bus or train, new operators join the more than 2,800 TriMet employees who are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, a critical partner to TriMet. In addition to operators, the ATU represents maintenance workers, mechanics, customer service employees and others across the agency. TriMet and the union recently came together to negotiate a four-year contract that expands benefits and gives union workers a raise. 

    Great pay, benefits and opportunities

    The new union contract enhances employee benefits and secures a 13.64% pay increase for union employees over the coming four years, with the first raise effective December 1, 2024. This agreement aims to improve service reliability while supporting TriMet’s diverse workforce. This helps them build rewarding, long-lasting careers with competitive salaries and benefits that often surpass those of private employers.

    TriMet’s commitment to career growth, with excellent pay and benefits, is one reason why Forbes Magazine recently named the agency one of the top five places in Oregon to work. TriMet even claimed the title of the top Oregon-based employer and the leading transportation and logistics employer in the state!

    Benefits include low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance, health spending accounts, paid leave and two retirement plans with employer contributions. Additionally, employees receive annual transit passes valued up to $1,200.

    Everyone is valued–apply today!

    At TriMet, diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We welcome and support employees from all backgrounds. To help foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, TriMet offers nine Employee Resource Groups, each representing a community of employees with shared life experiences. These groups provide a space for employees to socialize, reflect, innovate, and grow, empowering them to contribute their unique perspectives to the company.

    Larry and Zoe both say they are proud and excited to be joining a team that will value their contributions and help them grow as employees.



    “I’ve always admired people who drove trains and buses–and the efficiency of TriMet,” Zoe said. “I always looked at operating a train as something I wanted to do someday.”

    Larry said he is eager to see how far his career at TriMet will take him.

    “Being a rail operator was my end goal,” Larry said. “But now being here, learning about TriMet’s opportunities, I’m definitely looking up ahead now–either a supervisor role, the control room or even a station agent. You have so many opportunities, honestly.”

    With positions at TriMet suited for various skills and backgrounds, the right one might be waiting for you.  To find out more about all of TriMet’s career opportunities, visit trimet.org/careers.

  • Oregon’s new drug law will improve safety on TriMet, in public spaces starting Sept. 1

    TriMet’s security improvements, combined with new law making possession of illicit drugs a misdemeanor, continue to make riding safer

    As TriMet continues our efforts to provide safe, welcoming and reliable transit service, we look forward to the Sept. 1 revision to Oregon law making possession of small amounts of illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine a crime again. This change will make possession of hard drugs in public—including on TriMet buses and trains, as well as at our stops, stations and transit centers—a misdemeanor offense.

    Despite our continued focus on safety and security efforts, rampant open drug use in the communities TriMet serves extends onto our transit system at times. That creates an unpredictable and potentially dangerous situation for TriMet riders and employees. We believe public spaces and public services should feel safe and comfortable for everyone to use, without worry of being exposed to illegal drug use. TriMet is a lifeline for many who rely on transit to get work, school and other opportunities due to age, disability or income. They deserve to ride with dignity.

    While TriMet’s Code of Conduct already prohibits drug use, starting in September, law enforcement, including officers assigned to TriMet’s Transit Police Division, can cite individuals for drug possession, punishable by up to 180 days in jail. The new law also gives counties the ability to offer deflection programs that mandate engagement with addiction services as an alternative to jail time.

    It’s the first of two new drug laws. The second—taking effect Jan. 1, 2025—explicitly focuses on public transportation. It will classify the use of drugs on public transit buses and trains in Oregon as a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious of misdemeanors, punishable by up to 364 days in jail.

    At a Glance:

    Revisions to Oregon drug law

    HB 4002 – effective Sept. 1, 2024
    What it does: House Bill 4002 recriminalizes the possession of small amounts of hard drugs, giving law enforcement the authority to cite and arrest people for the misdemeanor of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, punishable by up to 180 days in jail. The law also gives counties the ability to offer deflection programs that mandate engagement with addiction services as an alternative to jail time.
    Change and impact to TriMet: While drug use already violates TriMet’s rules for riding, the change in law gives police, prosecutors and treatment centers new tools to address this public health and safety issue.

    SB 1553 – effective Jan. 1, 2025
    What it does: Senate Bill 1553 heightens criminal charges for the use of illicit drugs on public transportation, making it the most serious of misdemeanors, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a $6,250 fine or both. It also classifies drug use on transit as a drug-designated misdemeanor, allowing those convicted access to state-funded treatment in many instances.
    Change and impact to TriMet: This helps ensure that TriMet and all public transit agencies statewide can effectively work to make their systems drug-free zones. It gives law enforcement more tools and better direction on how to handle incidents involving drugs.

    Public drug use has increased significantly in Oregon since 2020, with deadly results. In 2021, overdose deaths increased by 43% statewide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they’ve kept rising in the following years. No other state saw a higher rate of overdose deaths than Oregon did in 2023. Both of the new Oregon laws will open up new avenues for those facing addiction to get help.

    Making transit a drug-free zone

    The new illicit drug laws will make TriMet buses and trains drug-free zones and are important steps in our ongoing work to make transit safer in the face of the societal issues challenging our region. Since the start of 2022, we have more than doubled the number of safety, security and customer service staff on our transit system and taken other steps to address TriMet code violations and inappropriate behavior on board. There are now about 500 people working to make our system cleaner, safer and more accessible.

    Earlier this summer, safety and security staff began increasing enforcement of TriMet’s Code of Conduct—our rules for riding—to improve cleanliness and accessibility on board while addressing inappropriate activity. These rules focus on behavior that is prohibited on TriMet and cover everything from paying fare to not bringing items on board that leak and block aisles and prohibit smoking of any kind.

    As part of this focus, riders will see Customer Safety Supervisors checking fares and, along with our Customer Safety Officers and Transit Security Officers, they’ll let riders know they need to follow the rules. Most important are those rules put in place to make sure people can move safely through our vehicles, especially those who have disabilities and older adults looking to reach priority seating areas.

    More tools for rider safety

    TriMet has a 24-hour Security Operations Center, where riders can report non-urgent security issues such as loud or disruptive behavior, vandalism and litter, among other concerns. Text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to connect with security staff that will determine the appropriate response. For an urgent concern, alert the operator or text or call 911.

    We have taken steps to improve safety as well, with updated security cameras and lighting at many of our transit centers, rail platforms and park and rides. We’ve also improved the safety panels next to the bus operator’s seat and added safety monitors on all of our buses that show security camera views.

    For more information on TriMet’s safety and security efforts, go to trimet.org/security.

    Providing support, for a better experience for all

    Among the growing safety and security teams you’ll see on TriMet is our Safety Response Team. The team’s presence discourages inappropriate and illegal behavior, while helping people in need on and around our transit system, conducting social service outreach and providing referrals for housing and mental health services. Safety Response Team members carry backpacks with snacks, water and other supplies including Narcan, the overdose-reversing nasal spray. Their work focuses on ensuring a positive experience for everyone who rides.

    In 2023, TriMet’s Safety Response Team members connected with some 127,500 individuals, including conducting nearly 17,600 welfare checks, providing 5,876 referrals to social services and assisting 47 people showing suicidal thoughts.

    Find more information about our teams at trimet.org/personnel.

  • (VIDEO) Now training! Recruitment drives record-setting flood of MAX operator applicants

    More than 850 people applied, 50 were hired, following TrIMet’s first-ever public recruitment of MAX operators

    An unprecedented hiring initiative led to the one of the biggest waves of job applications in TriMet’s history, adding to a pool of candidates that will help fill vacant operator positions in the short and long term. More than 850 people applied to become among the first MAX operators hired from the general public following TriMet’s April announcement that we were fast-tracking some of the positions.

    Of the 851 people who applied during the first round of external applications, between April and June, 50 were hired and invited to enter MAX operator training. The first classes with these students began in July.

    Fast-tracking the positions meant candidates didn’t have to first undergo eight weeks of bus operator training. Nonetheless, they did have to meet several important requirements to be selected as a future MAX operator.

    ‘I applied the first day’

    Chief among the hiring requirements: having one year of experience transporting people or goods, a safe driving record and the ability to obtain—or already possess—a valid “A or B” Commercial Driver’s license (CDL). Applicants could take three written DMV tests to obtain a CDL learner’s permit before entering training. For Larry, a longtime electrical contractor, operating heavy machinery was a part of his professional life for years—but it came with a catch.

    “I was tired of doing career changes every six to eight months,” Larry said. He found himself moving from gig to gig, working for multiple companies a year with few opportunities to move up. “Being with TriMet and seeing all the opportunities—I’m excited to do rail and also see how far I can move up in the company.”

    Another important requirement was having zeal for the job. Jake, a self-described “train guy” and former member of TriMet’s On-Street Customer Service team, had his sights on operating a train ever since growing up near the MAX Yellow Line.

    “I told myself that as soon as they opened up MAX operator positions to non-bus applicants, I would throw my name into the ring,” he said, “I applied the first day it opened.”

    Although the new MAX trainees come from different backgrounds, one thing they share is enthusiasm, especially for taking on new and fulfilling challenges. Tyler, another MAX operator trainee, gave up a job in web development for an opportunity to serve the community.

    “To me, it’s one of the biggest landmarks of the city,” he said of the MAX system. “Working in web development, I didn’t feel totally fulfilled. Here, you’re performing a public service that everyone relies on, so you can feel pride in that”

    Roughly half of the applications moved to the review stage, where the candidates’ combination of qualifications, driving records and passion for public transportation were considered. Some then moved on to interviews, background checks and conditional job offers. In the end, about 6% of the 851 candidates met all of the requirements and were invited to join an upcoming training class

    The 12 weeks of training combine lectures, coursework and practical instruction behind the controls of MAX trains. In order for trainees to become MAX operators, they will have to first successfully graduate from the program and prove they can safely operate a train while at the same time providing exemplary customer service.

    Jobs with great pay, benefits and support

    The starting wage for a MAX operator is currently $29.18 per hour, with regular pay increases and a $7,500 hiring bonus for those who successfully complete training and join the team.

    MAX operators receive other great benefits, such as access to overtime, generous retirement accounts—including an 8% employer contribution to TriMet’s 401a retirement plan—paid time off and career development opportunities. 

    Opportunities at TriMet are plentiful. Bus operator positions are also still available, and they too come with competitive pay and the same great benefits as MAX operators. They also come with the $7,500 hiring bonus! But if you have a more mechanical skillset, TriMet is also looking for diesel mechanics, with a starting salary of $41.39! Those positions come with a $2,500 hiring bonus.

    New operators start this fall

    New MAX operators will begin this fall after completing three months of training. This will be followed by a six-month probationary period.

    They will start their new careers at TriMet during a time of expansion and improvements: At the end of this month, the MAX Red Line will be extended 10 stations west into Beaverton and Hillsboro, the final piece of our A Better Red project. It will be the first expansion of the MAX system in nine years. We are also currently testing our newest trains, the Type 6s, which we plan to introduce later this year. These and other improvements come as TriMet embarks on an ambitious series of service changes.

    Moving forward

    Starting Sunday, Aug. 25, TriMet will be rolling out one of our largest-ever series of service updates— improvements that will affect both trains and buses. As part of these improvements, TriMet will be:

    • Adding bus lines and adjusting routes to make service faster and more convenient, as well as to fulfill the goals of our Forward Together Service Concept.
    • Replacing late-night, early-morning MAX service with buses, allowing for more overnight MAX system maintenance during times when ridership is low.
    • Extending the MAX Red Line west 10 stations in Beaverton and Hillsboro, improving schedules and giving more people a one-seat trip to Portland International Airport.

    We don’t stop moving—and neither do our careers. If you’re looking for a job with momentum, TriMet provides family-wage employment and pathways for advancement. Learn more at trimet.org/careers.

  • 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.

  • TriMet is ready for summer season

    When temperatures reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, expect delays on MAX and WES

    MAX Red Line train on a warm, sunny day in Downtown Portland.

    Summer is officially here!

    With warm, dry weather prevailing throughout the season, it’s the best time of the year to get out and see all our region has to offer. TriMet connects people to opportunities every day. Whether you’re going to work, traveling to an appointment or seeking fun in the sun, why not ride with TriMet this summer?

    We’ve made improvements in recent years to better weather the summer heat. On the vast majority of summer days, you can expect TriMet to provide regular service, including air-conditioned comfort on our buses and trains.

    Extreme heat, however, can affect operations and our riders. Here’s what you need to know about TriMet in hot weather.

    Triple digits means delays

    If temperatures rise to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, we will restrict the speed of MAX trains in certain areas for safety.

    MAX draws power from a system of overhead wires that are sensitive to heat. We limit speeds on MAX to no more than 35 mph when it’s at least 100 degrees, to reduce the risk of damage and keep our system running smoothly. Trains already run below 35 mph in areas where they run alongside or cross other traffic. But in restricted right-of-way areas, trains travel up to 55 mph. When the speed restriction is in place due to the heat, riders should expect up to 30-minute delays on MAX.

    WES commuter trains will also run no faster than 40 mph when temperatures soar above 100-degree temperatures. This may result in delays up to 10 minutes.

    Our buses are designed to operate in a wide range of weather conditions. There is no temperature threshold at which we’ll suspend or reduce bus service across our system. However, traffic and mechanical issues caused by extreme weather can sometimes result in delays. We’ll share the latest service information online at trimet.org/alerts, as well as with riders directly via email and text updates.

    Adapting to summer heat

    We’ve been working to improve how our transit system performs in hot weather.

    MAX was originally designed to operate in the climate Portland enjoyed in the 20th century. But as our region sees more extreme weather and rising summer temperatures, we are making adaptations to keep MAX running more smoothly for more of the summer. Similarly, we’ve worked with Portland & Western Railroad to improve heat resiliency on WES.

    On the MAX system, we have re-engineered parts of our overhead wire system to reduce sagging caused by intense summer heat. Because metals like copper and steel expand when it’s hot, we have to use counterweights to keep the overhead lines taut. With the improvements we’ve made, those counterweights work better in hotter weather, so MAX can keep running at regular speeds in all but the most extreme heat.

    Since 2018, the MAX Blue and Red lines have been able to proceed at normal speeds up to 100 degrees. The MAX Yellow Line followed in 2019. Now, as of this summer, all of our MAX lines are able to run regularly up to 100 degrees.

    Operating when it’s safe

    The safety of our riders and employees during extreme weather is central in TriMet’s decision-making. Above 105 degrees, we may adjust or suspend service on MAX if conditions warrant. These decisions are made with care and will depend on the conditions we’re seeing throughout our system.

    When temperatures hit 105 degrees, we will suspend service on WES and replace trains with shuttle buses.

    While we’ve made big upgrades to keep our trains running more reliably when it’s hot, extreme weather does place an additional strain on our machinery and electronics. Be prepared for trips to take extra time.

    You can learn more about our thresholds for extreme heat by visiting trimet.org/heat.

    Line 4-Fessenden on the road on a sunny day.

    Keeping cool on transit

    TriMet buses, including LIFT paratransit vehicles, have air conditioning on board for the comfort and safety of our riders and employees. So do MAX trains, WES trains and Portland Streetcar vehicles.

    But summer heat can be dangerous! When it’s hot outside, we encourage riders to:

    • Wear sun protection.
    • Pack a water bottle or sports drink with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
    • Consider using a personal fan or mister to keep cool.
    • If possible, stay in the shade when waiting at our stops and stations. Shade may not be available at all stops and stations. Carrying an umbrella can also provide cover from harmful UV radiation and relief when it’s hot and sunny.

    You can track your bus or MAX train at trimet.org. Our real-time map shows where the vehicle is and how long before it will arrive at the stop or station. Be sure to check weather reports as well as our website, trimet.org/alerts, for service information before you head out.

  • Beat the traffic, celebrate Portland Rose Festival with TriMet

    Transit is the most convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to experience the annual festivities

    TriMet bus in service during the Starlight Parade.

    One of Portland’s biggest and most beloved annual celebrations kicks off this Friday, May 24.

    During the Rose Festival, traveling to, from and around Portland City Center can be, well, thorny. Roads may be closed off for parades and other special events, parking is at a premium, and the traffic alone can make you wish you’d stayed home.

    Thankfully, you can enjoy the Rose Festival with none of those driving worries. Leave your car at home, or at one of TriMet’s Park & Rides, and take transit!

    What’s on tap?

    The Portland Rose Festival celebrates the annual blooming of roses, Portland’s signature flower. You’ll see roses in red, white, pink, yellow, orange and more in late spring. With gorgeous weather, beautiful blooms and community celebrations, this is one of the best times of year to get out and explore Downtown Portland.

    The official first day of the Rose Festival is Friday, May 24. That’s the kickoff with the big fireworks show over the Willamette River. It’s also when CityFair opens at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This fair with classic carnival attractions and family fun runs on three consecutive weekends: May 24-27, May 31-June 2 and June 7-9.

    This year, CityFair also features a Celebration of Oregon Brewers Festival, with a selection of beers on tap. Transit is always a great option if you’re knocking back some pints, or if you’re indulging in the Starry Night Wine Walk next Thursday, May 30. It’s the smart, safe and responsible way to get home. Please, never drink and drive.

    When to go

    One of the biggest days for travel in Downtown Portland is expected to be Saturday, June 1. That’s both the day of the Starlight Run, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and the CareOregon Starlight Parade, from 8-10 p.m.; and of a big game at Providence Park as the Portland Timbers host the Houston Dynamo, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Skip the hassle and save on parking by taking TriMet! We’ll have extra MAX trains in service for riders’ convenience.

    If you have a ticket for the Timbers game, that ticket serves as your fare on any TriMet bus or MAX. Just show your digital ticket to the bus operator or Customer Safety Supervisor. Match-day tickets for both the Timbers and Thorns are valid fare on TriMet from three hours before kickoff until three hours after the final whistle. Find more information at trimet.org/providencepark.

    Other major events that you won’t want to miss, and which you can enjoy by traveling with TriMet, include:

    Please keep in mind that there may be short delays on TriMet during parades as our vehicles share the right-of-way.

    Fleet Week is June 5-9 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park! U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy ships will be visiting. The Steel Bridge will be lifted Wednesday afternoon, June 5, for the arrival of Fleet Week ships. Remember, MAX and TriMet buses are unable to cross the Steel Bridge while it is lifted. Trains and buses will hold at nearby stops and stations. Plan for trips to take extra time June 5 and check trimet.org/alerts before setting out.

    TriMet riders at the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson MAX Station.

    Ways to ride

    TriMet’s bus and MAX service, as well as Portland Streetcar, will provide regular service during the Rose Festival.

    One fare is good for all three modes of transit, thanks to Hop Fastpass®. You can purchase 2½-Hour Fare for a one-way trip or a shorter outing, or a Day Pass to travel on TriMet and Portland Streetcar an unlimited number of times for the day.

    Payment is simple, too. Riders can skip the ticket machine — our green Hop Fastpass® readers accept contactless payments with credit and debit cards as well as smartphones. Just tap to pay with your preferred payment method, check the screen for confirmation, and you’re good to go! Plus, you earn toward Day and Month passes whenever you tap. That means you’ll never pay more than $5.60 per day or $100 per month to ride TriMet. Learn more at trimet.org/fares.

    Updated display screens, including e-paper displays, show arrival times and destinations for all our lines that serve a particular stop or station.

    You can also plan ahead by visiting trimet.org. Check out our Trip Planner, which shows you the best options for getting to your destination, including when you can expect to arrive. You can even customize your trip plan for how far you’re willing to walk and which modes of transit you want to use.

    Questions? Contact TriMet Customer Service via live chat with a representative at support.trimet.org, or call or text 503-238-7433, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. any day of the week.

  • Celebrating our outstanding operators on Transit Driver Appreciation Day

    Community turns out to thank those who drive buses, trains and streetcars

    From our mini-run operators to our MAX operators, TriMet is driven — quite literally! — by the people who keep our region moving every day.

    TriMet is all about connecting our riders to opportunities. Our buses, trains and LIFT vehicles serve as vital links to work, school, health care and other services. Many of our riders also take TriMet to shopping, dining and other recreation destinations. Tens of thousands of riders every day rely on TriMet to get them where they need to go. And wherever our riders are going, they count on our operators to get them there.

    Driving for TriMet is more than a job for many of our operators. It’s a way for them to improve people’s lives. Some have been driving their routes for 10 years or more, and they look forward every day to greeting their regular riders. We also have many newer operators, both full-time and part-time, who bring enthusiasm and passion to the driver’s seat. From our transit veterans to our newest hires, our operators care about the people on their bus or train, and they take pride in getting them to their destination safely and on time.

    Monday, March 18, is Transit Driver Appreciation Day. We’re celebrating our operators all throughout the TriMet service district today!

    Meet the operators

    This year, for Transit Driver Appreciation Day, we’re featuring four operators who go above and beyond for their riders. They exemplify the very best of TriMet.

    These operators love what they do, and that love shines through in their work. As TriMet is hiring for more operators and other positions, they’re happy to share their perspective with anyone who is curious about the opportunities at TriMet — and to encourage them to apply for a job at trimet.org/careers.

    Joe Wiggins

    You might remember Joe Wiggins as the bus operator who drove one of his riders to the hospital on New Year’s Eve. When the rider experienced a medical emergency and asked Joe to call 911, he sprang into action, alerting our Operations Command Center and bringing in first responders. Since there were no ambulances available, Joe took the rider to the hospital in his bus, with a Portland Fire & Rescue escort.

    The TriMet Board recently honored Joe and fellow TriMet employees who responded to this emergency. But Joe says any other TriMet operator would have done the same thing in his position. “It’s what we do,” he explains.

    What you might not know about Joe is that he has his own business in Gresham, where he sells livestock equipment. He’s been in the business since the 1970s. Difficult economic conditions had Joe looking elsewhere for a new source of income, though, in 2018. He started driving for TriMet as a way to earn some money on the side. While he certainly appreciates TriMet’s competitive pay and excellent benefits, Joe has also fallen in love with the job, and he’s glad to be part of our team — just as we’re glad to have him!

    Shari Humphries

    TriMet is always working to improve the service we provide. But what does that mean? For bus operator Shari Humphries, it was advocating for one of her riders. Shari makes a point of saying hello and goodbye to everyone on her bus, every day, even on busy Line 72-Killingsworth/82nd. One night last fall, she picked up a rider who was visually impaired, and in talking with him, she found out he’d had to walk almost a mile from his workplace, in an area with poor lighting and limited sidewalks, to get to the bus stop.

    Shari wanted her rider to be safe, and she knew this wasn’t a one-off situation. Working with her supervisor, she successfully advocated for a service change that would allow her to better serve this rider and keep him from having to make that long trek to catch the bus. TriMet employees from multiple departments all worked together to make this improvement within weeks.

    For nearly three decades, Shari was a school bus driver. She worked for several metro-area school districts before deciding it was time for a change in 2019. Shari applied for a job with TriMet and became a full-time bus operator. Although her passengers have changed, Shari’s commitment to service and spreading joy have not. She says she loves driving because of all the people she is able to help, each and every day.

    Yulinda Highsmith

    This isn’t Yulinda Highsmith’s first time in the spotlight. When she was still a relatively new part-time bus operator, Yulinda remembers being featured in a hiring campaign. Her face was splashed across the sides of buses and displayed at bus shelters, part of our effort to say: “Come work for TriMet!”

    Yulinda has been driving for TriMet since 2005. She previously worked in retail, and as she tells it, she was ready for a career change. She saw TriMet as a place where she could have a real career pathway. The pay was better, the benefits were great and she loved the flexibility of the job.

    Nineteen years later, and now working as a full-time operator, Yulinda is still passionate about TriMet. She loves getting to know her riders, and she says she gets to meet people from all over the world on her route. She also enjoys the view from the driver’s seat of the city where she grew up. Yulinda is proud to drive for one of the best transit systems around, and she stands by that message from the hiring campaign in which she was featured all those years ago: TriMet is a great place to work!

    Jeff Flanagan

    When Jeff Flanagan is in the MAX operator’s cabin, he says, “It feels like being a captain of a ship.” It’s an awesome responsibility, and it’s one that Jeff — like all of TriMet’s approximately 180 rail operators — has earned.

    While Jeff is proud to be a rail operator, his career with TriMet has switched tracks a couple times. Originally from Alaska, Jeff first started working for TriMet as a contracted transit security officer in 2011. The following year, he was hired as a bus operator. In 2014, Jeff earned a promotion to rail operator. Many bus operators love their jobs and wouldn’t trade in their wheels for rails, but Jeff was drawn to MAX in part because of the challenge. Light rail vehicles are complicated to operate, but Jeff finds the job to be immensely rewarding.

    TriMet has featured Jeff in videos before about MAX. He’s a bona fide expert on operating MAX as he approaches 10 years in light rail, and it’s still a job that brings him great satisfaction. Serving some of the busiest parts of our region, MAX provides opportunities for riders to get to jobs, schools, shops, restaurants, parks, libraries and more every day. Wherever they’re headed, Jeff enjoys greeting his riders and getting them to their destination safely and on time.

    Thanking every operator

    TriMet is proud to support our transit operators and to celebrate them every year by observing Transit Driver Appreciation Day, an annual tradition since 2013.

    TriMet employees and volunteers are turning out for our operators all day Monday, March 18. We’re cheering on buses and MAX trains on the Transit Mall in Downtown Portland; hanging banners at the Beaverton, Clackamas Town Center, Gresham and Rose Quarter transit centers; and serving snacks for operators at our bus garages and rail yards in Beaverton, Gresham and Portland.

    Riders and other community members are welcome to join in the festivities! Writing a short message or simply adding their signature to one of our thank-you banners, or on our website at trimet.org/thankyou, can help to brighten our operators’ day. If you’re on the Transit Mall this sunny spring day, join us in raising a cheer for our hard-working operators. And on Transit Driver Appreciation Day, and every day, you can show your gratitude and support for our operators by giving them a wave and a smile, being a courteous rider by following TriMet’s rules for riding, and thanking them for the ride. Even small gestures of kindness and respect can go a long way!

    We’re on the lookout for our operators of the future, too! New operators are eligible for a $7,500 hiring bonus. These are good-paying union jobs with excellent benefits and employee resources. Other opportunities are available as well. Learn more at trimet.org/careers.