Tag: Max

Construction, Transportation

NE 82nd Ave MAX Station Elevator Closes for a Week as Station Renovations Continue

TriMet will close the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station elevator from October 20th to the 27th for scheduled maintenance. This Monday-to-Monday closure in this location follows months of construction that require people to walk on temporary scaffolding-style stairs to access the boarding platform and, at times, clog the bus stop pullouts above the station with construction vehicles. Riders needing to use an elevator during this time can detour to the NE 60th Ave MAX Station west of the NE 82nd Avenue stop and take a shuttle bus connecting that location to the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center.

Construction workers on scaffolding above the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station elevator, with light rail tracks and traffic visible below.
Temporary scaffolding-style stairs at the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station

Since June, crews working on TriMet’s NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project have made substantial progress, completely resurfacing the station’s concrete platform and rebuilding the stairs at the 82nd Avenue light rail stop. During the project, riders have used a temporary platform constructed to the west of NE 82nd Avenue and adjacent to Interstate 84. The reconstruction efforts will add a new weather shelter to the station and add a pedestal for the future art piece, which TriMet plans to install between the two shelters. The frequently used stairs connecting NE 82nd Avenue to the light rail platform will contain the same number of landings and treads. However, the project will replace the concrete railing walls with steel guardrails, enhancing the riders’ sense of openness through greater visibility. This station was part of the original MAX Blue Line and one of the most heavily used light rail stations on the system, dictating this extensive improvement project. TriMet anticipates completing this station work by the end of 2025.

Sign indicating how to access the elevator at NE 82nd Ave MAX Station, featuring tap and scan instructions for fare validation.
TriMet elevator access control reader

The week-long elevator closure is essential to keeping this mobility resource functioning through demanding and sometimes rough usage. In May, TriMet expanded its test access control program at the Hollywood Transit Center to include the NE 60th Ave and NE 82nd Ave MAX stations. People wanting to access the grade-separated platforms now need to present a valid fare to a digital reader before elevator doors open. They are not charged for the use, but need to verify paid system usage for access. This change has the potential to reduce equipment misuse and keep the assistive access devices available to riders who require them. TriMet provides a system elevator status page available for riders who have difficulty using stairs at trimet.org/elevators. People should check this page before traveling to ensure availability if they intend to use an elevator.

Update October 27, 2025: TriMet announced the elevator at its NE 82nd Ave MAX Station is back in service.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Transportation

MAX and Bus Riders Check Schedules for Aug 24 Updates

Transit riders accustomed to specific schedules should check their route starting Sunday, August 24th. TriMet will adjust schedules for MAX lines and many buses that East Portlanders depend on. The FX2 Bus Rapid Transit line on SE Division and Line 20 bus are shifting times by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time. This shift will not significantly impact people’s ability to arrive at destinations on time, but could cause the unprepared rider to miss a connection they have grown accustomed to. The transit agency recommends commuters check its Trip Planner on or after August 24th to confirm their travel plans. People can also preview changes at the organization’s website.

TriMet bus Line 20 with a 'BURNSIDE/STARK' destination sign driving on a street in East Portland.

Riders of MAX trains or bus Line 40, Line 53, Line 54, and Line 288 should review the upcoming changes at TriMet’s website. People should also note that the transit agency will close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station on August 24th, after years of planning for improved light rail travel times through downtown. Commuters who use the Beaverton, Oregon City, or Tigard Transit Centers will need to learn new stop orientations as TriMet adjusts to accommodate more service or construction-related considerations.

These minor adjustments will not likely impact many riders’ overall usage of the transit system, but people should prepare themselves before heading out next week.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Infrastructure, Transportation

New MAX Tracks Crossing at the Bend

Recently, crews opened access to a new pedestrian MAX tracks crossing near NE 97th Avenue and East Burnside Street. This infrastructure update relocated the crossing to the middle of a turn in the light rail path, providing pedestrians with better visibility of approaching trains while making them more visible to TriMet staff operating the transit vehicles. Prior to this update, people on the north edge of the street would cross the tracks at street level next to a bike lane. The sidewalk shift to the north also allows cyclists more room to cross the tracks at an increased angle, as thin tires prefer perpendicular track contact.

View of a new pedestrian crossing for MAX light rail tracks located near NE 97th Avenue and East Burnside Street. The image shows a green bike lane and traffic signals, along with the new track alignment allowing better visibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Cyclists crossing angled for closer to perpendicular track contact

The new pedestrian path increases the crossing distance, diverting westbound pedestrians onto the Interstate 205 Multi-Use Path for a short distance before reaching the new crossing. Due to a grad change on the west side of the tracks, pedestrians will need to use a short switchback ramp to rejoin the East Burnside Street north sidewalk just before the freeway overpass. People will also need to navigate partial gates near the tracks, designed to alert the crosser to look both ways before entering the train zone.

View of a new pedestrian crossing for MAX light rail tracks, featuring concrete pathways, warning signs, and safety fencing. The area is designed for better visibility and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Pedestrian MAX track crossing with switchback ramp at far side

Work supporting the new crossing began in February 2024, when contractors replaced the track adjacent panels in this area. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) continued the efforts to improve infrastructure in this part of Portland, including the new crossing, as part of the NE 97th Avenue Phase II and Couch/Davis Street Local Improvement District (LID). That project utilizes city and property owner funds to add sidewalks and create new road segments, thereby restoring the city’s street grid in an area previously developed with long, uninterrupted blocks and limited pedestrian infrastructure. Project planners say this work will improve streets and sidewalks for existing residents while facilitating future housing growth in the Gateway area.

This segment of Portland’s roadway contains many conflict points. The MAX tracks transition from running parallel to I-205 into a position at the center of East Burnside Street heading east. Bike lanes on Burnside also narrow and complicate the streetscape. Some north-south streets do not cross the tracks, creating right-turn-only infrastructure that can obscure pedestrian crossing points that do not align with vehicle movement. Signal crews working at the nearby NE 97th Avenue and East Burnside Street intersection updated lights and crossing infrastructure, making it safer for all street users. With most of the new enhancements now available, people should find this a safer intersection to use, regardless of direction and mode of travel.

Article and photos

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Infrastructure, Transportation

Westbound I-84 16 Hour Sunday Closure

On the start of Sunday, June 8th, drivers will need to detour around a Westbound Interstate 84 closure between Interstate 205 and Interstate 5. The closure will last 16 hours, from midnight to 4 p.m., allowing crews safe access from the Banfield Expressway to perform maintenance and graffiti removal. Eastbound I-84 users are not impacted by this work that coincides with MAX line closures related to NE 82nd Ave station work.

Crews working with TriMet will de-energize the I-84 adjacent light rail system so workers can safely construct a metal-scaffolding-style staircase west of NE 82nd Avenue leading to a new temporary MAX platform. With the tracks clear of commuter vehicles and the 750 Volt catenary wire made safe, crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), TriMet, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have an opportunity to conduct maintenance around and over the tracks. Closing the adjacent westbound freeway lanes allows for maintenance-vehicle access and an expanded work site as crews clean, paint, and repair critical transportation infrastructure.

View of a highway overpass with a construction area for a new MAX platform underneath. Graffiti is visible on the concrete wall, and construction materials are stacked nearby. Traffic signs for East 84 and 82nd Ave can be seen above.
Space where crews will construct temporary stairs

PBOT is responsible for eight overpasses spanning I-84, and their support structures stand close to railroad and light rail tracks. Work of any length of time in this area is made difficult by trains and motorists passing, so closures are necessary for many repairs. Similarly, ODOT will use this opportunity to address maintenance hampered by the active transportation corridor, including work on lighting systems and sign repairs. ODOT crews will straighten lane barriers and replace glare shielding placed on top of separators to lessen the impact of oncoming headlights on drivers.

ODOT last closed I-84 on July 14th, 2024. This work will remove a significant amount of graffiti and accumulated roadside trash. Westbound drivers should plan for detours, and MAX riders should look for shuttle-bus information during the closures. Residents in adjacent neighborhoods can expect some level of increased traffic on their streets as drivers find alternative routes.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Infrastructure, Transportation

June MAX Disruption Leads to 82nd Ave Station Upgrade

From Sunday, June 8th, through Monday, June 9th, TriMet will close the Interstate 84 adjacent MAX tracks to ensure crews’ safety while they install short-term-use stairs connecting NE 82nd Avenue with a temporary light rail platform recently constructed west of the current station. Starting on June 10th, when the MAX Blue, Green, and Red line trains resume regular service, riders will begin using the new platform, which will provide crews with unobstructed access to start renovating the nearly 40-year-old NE 82nd Ave MAX station.

Map showing MAX disruption details for June 8-9, highlighting temporary bus shuttle routes and regular MAX line services.
Graphic of MAX system during closure courtesy TriMet

During the weekend rail line closure, shuttle buses will run in place of trains approximately every five minutes for most of the day, transporting people between the Oregon Convention Center MAX Station and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. TriMet encourages transit users of these routes to plan for an extra 30 minutes of travel time for trips through the disrupted area.

View of the NE 82nd Ave MAX station area featuring a temporary covered platform, newly painted murals, and adjacent roadway with vehicles.

During the closure, crews will install the temporary stairs, which requires TriMet to power down a portion of the MAX system around the NE 82nd Ave station so crews can operate safely above the tracks near the catenary wire. The scaffolding-style stairs will connect to the west side bus stop on NE 82nd Avenue above the tracks. An existing elevator accessed from the east side of the street will remain in use. Riders will access it via a walkway that will connect to the temporary MAX platform. People should note that the elevator now requires proof of a paid fare to activate.

NE 60th Avenue MAX station platform with signage and track visible
NE 60th Ave station lift building similar to the one demolished at NE 82nd Ave

Previous to this closure, contractors removed the lift building at the end of the platform. The transit provider constructed the lift system in the 1980s to assist people with mobility devices into MAX trains before they had rolling stock with near-level boarding. The original Type 1 MAX trains had steps leading to the seating area. The special lifting equipment housed in the brick-clad buildings became obsolete when TriMet introduced low-floor trains in the 1990s. As a result, they are removing unused lift infrastructure from stations during renovations or when practical.

Construction site near MAX train tracks featuring a CASE excavator, traffic cones, and neighboring roadway.
Demolished lift building at NE 82nd Ave

With riders clear of the existing MAX platform worksite, crews can continue with the demolition work needed for TriMet’s months-long NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project, which will refresh one of the most heavily used light rail stations on the MAX system. Crews will completely resurface the station’s concrete and rebuild the stairs with the same number of landings and treads. “One difference is that crews will replace the concrete railing walls with steel guardrails, creating more openness for improved visibility,” explained TriMet representative Tyler Graf. Crews will add a slightly smaller, second covered shelter east of the original unit with a similar design. Workers will refurbish the existing shelter and re-roof it to match the new structure. Contractors will install new guardrails to improve safety on the platform located between commercial rail lines and a freeway.

  • Stairs to be rebuilt
  • Temporary MAX platform
  • Space where crews will construct temporary stairs
  • Temporary elevator access walkway

Contractors will preserve the mural next to the elevator and add a pedestal for a future art piece that TriMet will install between the two shelters. Project planners anticipate completing improvements at this station by the end of 2025.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Update: Slideshow of the completed temporary stairs

Transportation

TriMet Elevators Require Fare to Access Three MAX Platforms

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.

Exterior view of the NE 60th Avenue MAX station, showcasing the station entrance with signage and fare control information. Colorful artwork is visible on the walls and a clear blue sky is present.
Street level TriMet elevator at NE 60th Ave station with new access controls

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.

Close-up of a digital card reader used for accessing elevators at TriMet stations, featuring a contactless payment icon and a QR code.
Access controls on TriMet elevators with QR barcode scanner and contactless tap pad

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.

Signage and elevator access control panel at a TriMet station, featuring instructions for using a card reader to access the elevator.
Lower access controls on TriMet elevator NE 60th Ave station

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.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Transportation

Two-week MAX Blue Line Closure East of Gateway

TriMet will close a segment of the MAX Blue Line light rail system east of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center from April 27th to May 10th for track maintenance while replacing and upgrading equipment along its East Burnside Street route. The East Burnside MAX Improvements Project will require riders to use shuttle buses along the affected segment during the scheduled work. MAX service reopens between the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and E 172nd Ave stations on May 4th, while riders east of that station will continue to use shuttle buses between the E 172nd Ave and Cleveland Ave MAX stations through May 10th.

Blue line April 27-May 10 disruption graphic courtesy Trimet

Crews will work on some of the oldest tracks in TriMet’s light rail system, replacing road crossing panels and wood railroad ties with concrete versions on the easternmost segment. Crossing panels support vehicle tires as they perpendicularly cross the train tracks, keeping the road surface at the same level as the top edge of the rail. This design minimizes the bumps for drivers crossing the track, but panel wear and settling over decades requires reconstruction at the Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue crossing. Similarly, railroad ties wear over time with diminishing support of the tracks. The new concrete ties offer a longer lifespan and better stability, improving the ride for MAX users.

MAX pantograph connecting to the overhead 750 Volt DC power dual-wire catenary delivery system

Overhead work included in this project begins to address a problem experienced by the MAX system when temperatures exceed component limits. A dual-wire catenary system delivers 750 Volt of DC power to the MAX trains that use an upward-extending pantograph device to make contact with the over-track energized wire. The catenary wire must remain taut for dependable power delivery to moving MAX trains below. During hot days exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the copper wire stretches through thermal expansion and could sag. To address this, TriMet uses hanging weights at the end of the cables draped over pulleys to remove the horizontal slack by pulling the excess cable down. However, on the hottest days, the one-ton of stacked weights can travel to its lowest point and fail to keep the catenary wire taut, prompting MAX operators to pause the lines or slow travel speeds. Crews will replace the old weighted system with Tensorex mechanical tensioners that will not have the same limitations as hanging metal plates and keep Portland’s light rail moving even in extreme heat waves.

Catenary wire weighted-tensioner showing stacked weights hanging next to support pole

Installing automatic mechanical tensioners in this segment is just one phase of building a resilient light rail service for a changing climate. TriMet plans to replace about 8,000 feet of overhead wires elsewhere in the system and may expand Tensorex use. During this closure, crews will also clean and refresh inactive stations. Riders should expect shuttle buses running in place of trains approximately every 10 minutes for most of the day. However, people should plan on their travel through the disrupted area taking up to 30 minutes. Crews working in the roadway will need to reduce traffic at Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue and East Burnside Street and completely close the crossing during two overnight stints from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. When completed, MAX Blue Line riders should have a more reliable journey through this segment, and drivers crossing the track will likely notice a smoother ride.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Infrastructure

Artist Needed for NE 82nd Ave MAX Station

TriMet is seeking proposals from qualified artists for a new art installation on the MAX train platform at the NE 82nd Avenue Station. The creative work will reside between an existing shelter and a new covered waiting area planned as part of the Blue Line Station Rehabilitation (BLSR) project. People have until August 12th to submit their application for a site-specific exterior sculpture with a design and fabrication budget of $70,000.

Street level elevator and stairs on the east side of NE 82nd Avenue

Crews working for TriMet are renovating 14 stations between Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center and Cleveland Ave MAX Station in Gresham as part of the multi-year BLSR project. These improvements will update station appearance, improve safety, and aid staff with long-term maintenance. The NE 82nd Ave MAX Station’s platform is adjacent to Interstate 84 and accessible from the street-level TriMet bus stops via a single elevator and stairs on the east side of NE 82nd Avenue. This station is a frequently used connector for riders of the 72, 77, 287, and 292 bus lines transferring between Blue, Green, and Red MAX trains.

In addition to the second shelter and new sculpture, TriMet plans to install new site furnishings. BLSR project updates have included shelter rehabilitation, station lighting, paving repairs, E-Fare infrastructure, and staircase rehabilitation. Similar updates will likely occur at this station as workers install the new shelter and sculpture.

Illustration courtesy TriMet

Crews will install a circular 24-inch diameter concrete base that stands 24 inches tall to support the sculpture. Inground lighting pointing upward will illuminate the artwork, which should feature a strong vertical design. Its placement near the freeway will make this artwork visible to transit riders and motorists, creating a distinct sense of place in the community. TriMet asks that proposals consider the existing mural in their designs. Local artist Alex Chiu created the How They Grow mural in 2017, extending from the street level along the stairs towards the lower train platform. However, because murals are temporary, the sculpture must also be a self-contained expression that encourages connectivity between the transit system and the community.

MAX Station platform adjacent to I-84

TriMet will select the winning artist by the end of August, and the chosen creator will present a concept proposal in October. After refining the proposal, the artist will present the final design in January 2025. Program planners expect contractors to install the finished sculpture in November 2025. The artwork will be the first in a series planned for each future BLSR station upgrade. TriMet will post those opportunities separately in the future.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Construction, Infrastructure

MAX Work Disrupts Road and Rail Usage

January’s winter storm delayed track and station work underway around the Gateway Transit Center, extending the TriMet MAX light rail disruption. The Gateway Transit Center will remain closed another week, reopening March 4th. When completed, riders will no longer have to use shuttle buses to detour around construction on the Red, Green, and Blue MAX Lines. However, on March 16th, Blue Line passengers in Hillsboro will need to use shuttle buses between Orenco Station and Hatfield Government Center. Regular Blue Line service resumes on March 25th, 2024.

Article originally published January 10th, 2024

Crews working for TriMet will close the Gateway Transit Center for MAX riders from January 14th through February 25th to complete line improvements and rail maintenance. Heavy civil infrastructure contractor Stacy Witbeck has already closed westbound car and bike lanes on E Burnside Street at NE 99th Avenue to stage repair work. Transit riders can use shuttle buses to navigate around the closures, and drivers can use NE Glisan Street when driving west.

The disruption allows for work on the airport leg of the A Better Red project and other track maintenance. For over a month, MAX Blue line trains will transition to shuttle bus service from NE 7th Avenue to the E 102nd Avenue stations. Green line riders will transition to shuttle buses between the Gateway Transit Center and the SE Main Street station. TriMet will suspend the MAX Red Line during this project phase, with the shuttle bus service replacing the Gateway Transit Center to the Portland International Airport leg of the route. TriMet will operate shuttle buses frequently, arriving at stops every 7 to 15 minutes during regular operating hours.

Graphics courtesy TriMet

On January 8th, crews working on a critical turn in the MAX Blue line closed westbound E Burnside Street from the Interstate 205 overpass to NE 99th Avenue. They have also blocked off a segment of NE 97th Avenue to stage rail and road crossing plates. Trades people are currently shaping the rail that will replace the east/west track turn to north/south travel. Workers will also remove and replace the plates in the street around the rails that allow automobiles to drive over them. Permits allow street blocking work to last until February 9th, but construction could conclude sooner or require a road closure extension.

As part of this work, construction barricades now block the NE 97th and E Burnside entrance to the I-205 Multi-use Path. However, further north along the path, riders and walkers have regained direct north/south access. During the previous A Better Red construction phases, Multi-use Path travelers needed to take an asphalt track around construction equipment. Recently, crews opened access to a newly paved concrete path with a gradual curve that reconnects the existing bike and pedestrian road. Cement masons added a west side open gutter to help channel water off the path, and electricians wired new overhead lighting into the underside of the overhead rail bridge. Both enhancements make this rebuilt segment safer for users. Construction equipment still borders the multimodel thoroughfare, but people no longer need to slow down and navigate complicated detours.

In addition to the rail and street work occurring over the next month, crews will continue construction on the new Gateway North MAX station platform. That station work will also enhance access to Portland’s Gateway Green Park via a freeway overpass bridge. All the repair and expansion work closures support faster, more efficient, MAX light-rail service. When completed, people will have a better transit system with fewer interruptions to service. During this transit system disruption, riders should anticipate some trips taking longer than usual. Trimet encourages people to consider using other forms of transportation during the January 14th through February 25th closure if shuttle buses do not meet their needs.

Gateway North MAX station platform

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Infrastructure

First of the Year TriMet Fare Increases

Starting January 1st, 2024, TriMet riders will pay higher fares unless they use monthly passes. MAX, Bus, and Streetcar adult users will start paying 30 cents more for 2½-Hour Tickets, bringing the cost to $2.80. Adult Day Passes will also jump by 60 cents to $5.60. Honored Citizen and Youth fares will only increase by 15 cents for the timed tickets and 30 cents for Day Passes. This fare change is the first increase in TriMet’s base Adult Fare in more than a decade. It will help pay for rising costs, including an 11.5% wage increase for transit workers represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757.

With these fare increases, riders have even more incentive to use Hop Fastpass™ cards. TriMet’s Board of Directors capped monthly Passes at $100 for adult riders. Most people only need to buy 18-day passes before earning a monthly pass. Each purchase on a Hop Fastpass™ account builds towards the next ticket level. Honored Citizen and Youth month-long passes cost $28, meaning they only need to ride for ten days before receiving free rides for the remainder of the month.

TriMet’s Board of Directors anticipates a $5.3 million annual increase in fare revenue with these changes. The added money will support increased service levels and help stabilize the transit agency’s finances post-pandemic. As inflation rises, employee compensation needs to grow, particularly for bus driver positions that are hard to fill. A year ago, nearly 80% of TriMet staff represented by ATU 757 received a 7.5% raise. On December 1st, those 2,538 employees received an additional 4% wage increase. ATU 757 workers drive buses, operate trains, perform vehicle and systems maintenance, and support riders.

Logos courtesy TriMet and ATU

Fare increases of any amount are rarely well received by riders. Some transit advocates support fare-less operation, and some US cities are trying it. However, TriMet is not ready to tackle that experiment. Instead, it focused its equity efforts on a reduced fare program serving those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. TriMet also offers other programs to support riders who may qualify for additional discounts. Accessing those assistance programs is vital for people with mobility issues because riders who use the LIFT paratransit pickup and transport service will also see Single Ride Tickets increase by 30 cents to $2.80.

TrimMet has worked to mitigate the impact of the 2024 fare increases for their frequent users. Digital and physical Hop Fastpass™ cards will save riders money, but casual riders can not avoid paying more per trip. People should factor these changes into their budget for 2024. The increase will be difficult for some people. However, a monthly pass still provides cost savings over car ownership and helps fight traffic congestion.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.