TriMet News

Portland

  • 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.

  • Your ticket to Providence Park soccer games and concerts is your fare on TriMet

    TriMet to continue successful partnership with Portland Timbers, Thorns FC in 2025 and 2026

    Image of Portland Timbers fans leaving a TriMet bus stop.

    Your ticket to the game is also your ticket to ride!

    TriMet is extending our partnership with the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

    If you have a ticket to a Timbers or Thorns game at Providence Park, you can use it as your proof of fare on TriMet buses and MAX trains on match days — all thanks to a partnership between TriMet and our professional soccer teams. We began accepting match-day tickets as fare on TriMet during the 2024 season. Starting in 2025, and through 2026, we’ll also accept Providence Park concert tickets as fare!

    For up to three hours before or after the event for which the ticket is valid, you can present your Timbers, Thorns or concert ticket to your TriMet bus operator or TriMet Customer Safety Supervisor as proof of payment. Digital tickets can be displayed on a smartphone or other device. Learn more at trimet.org/providencepark.

    Keep an eye out for the upcoming season schedules, and plan your trip at trimet.org.

    Go by bus or train

    The Timbers, Thorns and TriMet share a common goal: encouraging fans to take transit to and from Providence Park.

    By taking TriMet, you can save on gas and parking, as well as avoid the hassle of traffic and finding a space for your car. Wave goodbye to those match-day parking fees!

    TriMet is also the environmentally friendly way to go! MAX light rail provides 100% zero-emissions transportation, stopping just steps from Providence Park. TriMet bus service is provided by a mix of renewable diesel, hybrid and battery-electric buses.

    Both the MAX Blue Line and MAX Red Line serve Providence Park. The stadium is also served by several bus lines:

    Additionally, late-night MAX bus lines 287, 288 and 292 serve the Goose Hollow and Providence Park MAX stations after train service ends for the night.

    Park and ride

    TriMet has dozens of Park & Ride locations open nights and weekends throughout our service area. Just leave your car and catch the bus or train to Providence Park! Parking at all TriMet Park & Rides is free.

    TriMet is a popular way to get to Downtown Portland! Please keep in mind that close-in Park & Rides may fill up on match days and at peak travel times. Additional Park & Rides are conveniently located close to Highway 26, Interstate 84 and other major travel corridors.

    These Park & Rides along the MAX Blue and Red lines typically have parking available:

    Millikan Way

    SW Millikan Way and 141st Avenue (5-10 minutes from Highway 26)

    400 parking spaces

    Beaverton Creek

    SW 153rd Avenue and Millikan Way (5-10 minutes from Highway 26)

    417 parking spaces

    Elmonica/SW 170th Ave

    1200 SW 170th Ave (7-15 minutes from Highway 26)

    435 parking spaces

    Willow Creek/SW 185th Ave Transit Center

    375 SW 185th Ave (5-10 minutes from Highway 26)

    595 parking spaces

    Quatama

    NE Quatama Street and John Olsen Avenue (5-10 minutes from Highway 26)

    310 parking spaces

    Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds

    701 NE 34th Ave (5-10 minutes from Highway 26)

    396 parking spaces

    Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center

    9839 NE Multnomah St (1-5 minutes from Interstate 84 and Interstate 205)

    690 parking spaces

    A typical MAX ride from these Park & Ride locations to Providence Park takes around 45 minutes or less. You can also catch the MAX Green Line, MAX Orange Line or MAX Yellow Line and make a connection at Pioneer Courthouse Square or Rose Quarter Transit Center stations. Visit trimet.org to plan your trip and take advantage of your match or concert ticket doubling as your TriMet fare.

    Find more information and a list of Park & Ride locations at trimet.org/parkandride.

  • Deck the halls — not the roads — with TriMet as your sleigh this holiday season

    TriMet can take you to the best seasonal events without the hassle of parking, but always remember to plan ahead

    The holiday season is back, and so are the festivities that come with it. Whether you’re heading to Portland’s annual Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square, holiday events around the region or doing a little seasonal shopping, avoid the hassle of traffic and parking by letting TriMet take the reins. With us in the driver’s seat, you can relax and focus on what really matters: getting into the holiday spirit!

    Kick off the holidays with Portland’s Tree Lighting

    Pioneer Square North, for westbound trains.

    The holiday magic begins with a dazzling display of light on Friday, Nov. 29, when Portland’s Tree Lighting Ceremony transforms Pioneer Courthouse Square into a festive wonderland. This annual tradition, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., also features Portland’s largest holiday sing-along with Pink Martini. With as many as 25,000 people expected to fill the square, some MAX stations will close from 3 p.m. to approximately 7 p.m. for safety:

    • Pioneer Square North
    • Pioneer Square South
    • Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave Station
    Pioneer Square South, for eastbound trains.

    Make sure to plan ahead at trimet.org! To reach the Pioneer Courthouse Square, exit MAX one stop before or after: Library/SW 9th, heading eastbound; Morrison/SW 3rd, heading westbound; and SW 6th & Madison, heading north.

    All MAX lines may experience delays, and buses will detour off Southwest 6th Avenue until crowds clear out. Extra TriMet personnel will be on-site to assist, provide security and keep everything running smoothly.

    Light up your holidays

    This holiday season, let TriMet be part of your celebrations across the region. We’ll handle the transportation while you focus on the joy, lights and memories that make this time of year magical. It’s the most affordable and convenient way to travel. Now is the perfect time to leave the driving to us. Here’s what you need to know:

    • Adult fare is $2.80 for 2½ hours or $5.60 for all day. All day Honored Citizen reduced fare and Youth Day Passes are $2.80, and for 2½ hours, they are $1.40.
    • You can pay with a Hop Fastpass™ card, a debit/credit card or a contactless payment using your mobile phone. Each  payment device will act as your proof of fare. 
    • Always tap your Hop card, credit/debit card or contactless payment to the green hop reader before boarding. You will never be charged more than the cost of a Day Pass. 

    In addition to Portland’s Tree Lighting, TriMet can take you to many of the other light displays around the region:

    • Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting: Celebrate the holidays in Milwaukie on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, with the Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting. Decorate your umbrella and join the fun — no registration required! The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. in South Downtown Plaza (11222 SE Main St.) and ends at historic City Hall with a 5:15 p.m. tree lighting. The City Hall/SW 5th Ave MAX Station, serving the MAX Orange Line, is less than a quarter mile away.
    • Rockwood Spirit of Christmas: Rockwood will transform into its own North Pole on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, with the Spirit of Christmas at Gresham Arts Plaza (401 NE Second St.). With crafting activities and events all day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Spirit of Christmas will be capped off by a 6 p.m. tree lighting. Take TriMet for an easy trip. The Gresham Central Transit Center, serving the MAX Blue Line, is just a quarter mile away.
    • ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo: The annual tradition returns, bigger and brighter than ever. This year promises new displays plus old favorites, with a brand-new magical meadow light show. The dazzling displays will light up through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. The MAX Blue and Red lines stop every few minutes at the Washington Park MAX Station, with a surface-level plaza steps away from the zoo.

    With more people traveling during the holidays, we’ll be looking out for your safety. If you witness or experience inappropriate or disruptive behavior, see broken or vandalized equipment or have anything you would like to report, don’t hesitate to reach out to our security hotline. You can text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) 24 hours a day to reach someone in our Security Operations Center. 

    TriMet keeps you skating

    Back by popular demand, Portland’s Woodsy Winter Village — featuring an enchanting ice rink and holiday marketplace — returns to Southwest Naito Parkway near the west end of the Morrison Bridge. Woodsy Winter Village offers an ice rink that will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., except on Christmas Day.

    With MAX Blue and Red line stations just a short walk away, as well as nearby stops for Line 15-Belmont/NW 23rd, getting there is a breeze. The Portland Transit Mall, offering access to multiple bus and rail lines, is also within half a mile.

    Other ice skating rinks open this year include:

    Lloyd Center Ice Rink: Conveniently located near MAX Blue, Green, and Red lines at the Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave MAX Station, plus multiple bus routes, the Lloyd Center offers public skate hours daily.

    OMSI on Ice: For a unique indoor skating experience on a synthetic ice rink, head to OMSI. The museum is served by the MAX Orange Line (South Waterfront/S Moody), the Portland Streetcar and bus lines 9, 17, 35 and 36. Ice skating will be available between Nov 23, 2024 and Jan 1, 2025. 

    Winter Village at Orenco Station: From Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 12, 2025, enjoy outdoor ice skating at Jerry Willey Plaza in Hillsboro. This event offers open skate sessions, private rentals and festive theme Fridays. It’s located just feet away from the Orenco MAX Station, served by the MAX Blue and Red lines as well as Line 47-Main/Evergreen.

    Stay safe and shine bright

    The holidays can be dazzling — and possibly distracting. As you navigate busy streets and MAX platforms, stay alert this holiday season and remember to:

    • Stop and look both ways at crossings.
    • Avoid blocking your view with hoods or umbrellas.
    • Wear reflective clothing or carry a light to stay visible during dark evenings.

    Stay aware and alert when you’re riding this holiday season. Riders may experience more crowded buses and trains than usual, with more people expected to be out shopping or going to tree lightings and other holiday events. Trips may also take longer due to increased traffic. 

    If you see something unusual, let us know. For non-urgent concerns, text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) anytime. Save the number to your contacts for easier access. For emergencies, alert the operator or dial 911. Learn more about staying safe at trimet.org/security.

    Plan ahead for the holidays

    The holidays bring bustling crowds, and that can mean occasional travel delays no matter your mode of transportation. Patience is key, especially when visiting popular spots or attending big events. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Use trimet.org to plan your trip and track your ride in real time. Be sure to check trimet.org/alerts before you go for the latest service updates.

  • Coming soon: More opportunities to access jobs, schools and services with TriMet

    Aug. 25 service improvements will get TriMet riders where they need to go, when they need to be there

    TriMet Line 29 bus serves Lake Road Health Center.

    TriMet is preparing to roll out our latest round of Forward Together service improvements on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

    These improvements include upgrades both large and small that will help connect riders to vital opportunities: jobs, schools, health care and more. Riders will experience these benefits in all three counties we serve!

    Welcoming Line 40!

    Starting Aug. 25, catch the new Line 40-Tacoma/Swan Island, with service to Swan Island, Rose Quarter, Downtown Portland and Southeast Portland.

    This new line connects with the MAX Orange Line at the SE Tacoma St/Johnson Creek MAX Station, and with the MAX Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines at the Rose Quarter Transit Center.

    We’ve designed this line with workers in mind. It will run on all days, with buses arriving twice every hour for much of the day.

    Our Forward Together service concept focuses on increasing ridership and making bus service more convenient and accessible for more people, especially those who rely on transit — including commuters. That means more direct bus connections between home and work.

    With Line 40, workers will have a one-seat ride from neighborhoods like South Waterfront and Sellwood to their jobs at Swan Island or elsewhere along the line, including in Portland City Center.

    With the new line providing service in place of lesser-used bus lines, TriMet will discontinue lines 85 and 99. Riders will still be served by other bus lines as well as Line 40.

    Extending Line 25!

    TriMet’s public outreach process is a crucial component of Forward Together. To make the most informed decisions about where to prioritize new bus service, and how to increase ridership, we need to hear from the communities we serve.

    For example, in Multnomah County, school communities at Reynolds High School and Mt. Hood Community College asked for more service, including a direct connection to MAX. And TriMet has answered!

    We are extending Line 25, which is getting a name update as well: Line 25-Glisan/Troutdale Rd. As its new name suggests, Line 25 will run farther east to serve Troutdale. Buses will also arrive about every 30 minutes, and they’ll run every day.

    Line 25 will have stops at Reynolds High School and Mt. Hood Community College. It will also take riders to other community destinations, including the Troutdale Library, the Troutdale Post Office, and retail and recreation areas.

    Riders will be able to take Line 25 from Troutdale and Gresham to the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center in Northeast Portland, where they can connect with the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines.

    Upgrading Line 29!

    TriMet is also working with community partners as we roll out more Forward Together service benefits. One of those partners is Clackamas County, which recently opened the Lake Road Health Center. Its campus on Southeast Lake Road is the new home of Clackamas County’s behavioral health clinics.

    Line 29-Lake/Webster Rd serves workers at the many businesses along Lake Road and nearby areas. We’re adding midday buses so Line 29 now runs throughout the day, Monday through Friday. Buses will arrive every hour.

    This schedule expansion benefits patients at the Lake Road Health Center, workers at local employers like Bob’s Red Mill and Unified Grocers, and students at Milwaukie High School, among others.

    Expanded service on Line 29 also improves connections with the MAX Green and Orange lines and more bus lines in North Clackamas County, including Line 34-Linwood/River Rd, which we’re extending to better serve the community.

    Adjusting bus schedules

    More than three-quarters of TriMet’s bus lines serve at least one high school, college or university campus. TriMet works with schools to get students where they need to go, when they need to be there.

    Across our service area, we’re adjusting bus schedules by up to 5 minutes to better serve morning school bell times, including:

    In addition, we’ve designed the new schedule for the extended Line 25-Glisan/Troutdale Rd to align with bell times at Reynolds High School in the Reynolds School District.

    Read more about the coming service improvements at trimet.org/servicechange.

  • 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.