After a year of testing access controls on TriMet elevators at the Hollywood Transit Center, the transit operator recently expanded the program to two more stations along the Interstate 84 light rail path. People wanting to access the Hollywood Transit Center, NE 60th Ave, and NE 82nd Ave MAX stations’ elevator will need to present a valid fare to a digital reader before the doors open. This no-cost measure could reduce equipment misuse and keep the mobility assistive infrastructure in operation for those who can not easily manage stairs.
In August 2023, TriMet announced that it would begin testing restricted elevator use at the Hollywood Transit Center for riders with active fares. The transit operator found that the program discouraged misuse and reduced elevator outages. This May, after a year in operation at the Hollywood Transit Center, the program expanded eastward to two MAX stations with below-street-level platforms. TriMet plans to deploy this system to all 17 of its MAX station elevators. The system does not charge an additional amount for elevator use, but it requires people to tap a contactless credit/debit card or Hop card or scan the barcode of a valid paper ticket for access both when going to the platform and when leaving. The system also works with smartphones that have a mobile wallet enabled.
Elevators controlled with a card reader have signs indicating that people need to tap the card reader or scan a paper ticket to open the elevator doors. Users will know they have a successful scan by the message “Elevator Access” on the scanner’s screen. The elevator card reader is not a Hop reader, so riders heading to the train will still need to pay a fare by tapping the green Hop Fastpass reader before boarding. This program is a crucial component of the organization’s efforts to enhance elevator safety and reliability. In a KATU report, TriMet Chief Safety Officer Andrew Wilson indicated the transit operator is also considering the use of fare gates similar to the ones used in some subway systems. Fare Gates and elevator access control could improve safety for people waiting on train platforms and reduce the number of people riding without payment.
MAX riders needing to use the elevator should anticipate encountering these access control devices along the I-84 adjacent stations and expect to see a continued rollout over the coming years.
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