What TriMet Is and Who Uses It

TriMet is the public transit agency that runs buses and light rail trains in the Portland, Oregon area. It serves Portland itself plus surrounding communities in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties. If you live, work, or visit in the Portland metro area, TriMet is likely the transit system you'll use to get around without a car.

TriMet operates two main types of service: buses that run on regular streets throughout the region, and the MAX light rail system, which is a train that runs on fixed tracks through Portland and to the airport, suburbs, and outlying areas. Most riders use a combination of both, depending on where they're going.

You don't need to be a Portland resident to ride TriMet. Visitors, students, workers, and anyone passing through can pay per trip or buy passes. The system runs seven days a week, though schedules vary by route and day of the week.

Key Takeaways

  • TriMet buses and MAX light rail both accept the same payment methods: cash, a Hop card (a reloadable transit card), or a mobile ticket through the TriMet app.
  • A single bus or MAX trip costs the same amount regardless of distance, and you can transfer between buses or between a bus and MAX within a set time window without paying again.
  • The Hop card is the most convenient option because it automatically applies discounts and tracks your transfers, while cash requires exact change on buses.
  • TriMet offers reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, youth, and low-income riders, but you must show proof of your status when you board.
  • You can plan trips, check real-time bus locations, and buy tickets through the TriMet website or the official TriMet app.

How to Pay for a Single Trip

You have three ways to pay when you board a TriMet bus or MAX train. The easiest is a Hop card, which is a plastic card you load money onto at a ticket machine, online, or through the app. You tap it on the reader when you board, and the fare is deducted automatically. Hop cards are sold at TriMet ticket machines, many grocery stores, pharmacies, and transit centers around Portland.

If you don't have a Hop card, you can pay with cash on a bus, but you must have exact change — bus drivers do not give change. On MAX trains, you cannot pay with cash; you must use a Hop card or a mobile ticket. A mobile ticket is a digital ticket you buy through the TriMet app on your phone and show to the operator or inspector.

The fare for a single trip varies by distance. A local trip (within Portland or nearby areas) costs less than a regional trip (to farther suburbs or the airport). Check the TriMet website or app for the exact fare to your destination, since prices can change.

Understanding Transfers and Passes

One of TriMet's most useful features is the transfer window. When you pay for a trip, you're allowed to transfer to another bus or to MAX within a set time — usually two to three hours, depending on the time of day and day of the week. You don't pay again; you just tap your Hop card or show your mobile ticket when you board the second vehicle. This means you can take a bus to a MAX station and then ride MAX to your final stop, all on one fare.

If you ride TriMet regularly, a pass is cheaper than paying per trip. TriMet sells day passes (good for unlimited trips in one calendar day), weekly passes, and monthly passes. A monthly pass is the best value if you ride most days. You can buy passes on a Hop card, through the app, or at ticket machines and retail locations.

Passes work the same way as single fares: you tap your Hop card or show your mobile ticket when you board. The system automatically tracks whether your pass is still valid.

Reduced Fares for Seniors, Youth, and Low-Income Riders

TriMet offers lower fares to people who meet certain criteria. Seniors (age 65 and older) and people with disabilities pay a reduced fare. Youth ages 7 to 17 also get a discount. Low-income riders may be able to get a reduced-fare Hop card through TriMet's LIFT program, which requires proof of income.

To use a reduced fare, you must show proof of your status when you board. For seniors and people with disabilities, this means showing a valid ID or a TriMet Honored Citizen card (a special ID card for reduced-fare riders). For youth, you show a school ID or a TriMet Youth Hop card. For the LIFT program, you explore through TriMet's website and receive a special Hop card that automatically applies the reduced fare.

Children under 7 ride free on TriMet, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. There is no limit to the number of free children per adult.

Using the TriMet App and Website

The official TriMet app (available on iPhone and Android) is the fastest way to plan a trip and buy a ticket. Open the app, enter your starting point and destination, and it shows you all available routes with real-time arrival times. You can see exactly where a bus is right now and when it will arrive at your stop. The app also shows which routes have delays or service changes.

You can buy a mobile ticket directly in the app for any trip. The ticket appears on your phone screen, and you show it to the bus operator or MAX inspector when you board. You can also add money to a Hop card through the app if you already own one.

The TriMet website (trimet.org) has the same trip planning tool and lets you buy passes and add money to a Hop card online. The website also has detailed information about each route, including schedules, stops, and service alerts. If you prefer not to use an app, the website works just as well on a phone browser.

What to Know About MAX Light Rail

TriMet's MAX system is a light rail train that runs on fixed tracks. There are several MAX lines, each identified by a color: the Red Line goes to the airport, the Blue Line goes to Hillsboro and Gresham, the Green Line goes to Clackamas, and the Yellow Line serves downtown Portland. Each line has its own schedule and route, but they all use the same fare system and accept the same payment methods as buses.

MAX stations are marked with signs and have ticket machines where you can buy a Hop card or a mobile ticket before you board. Unlike buses, you cannot pay cash on MAX. You must tap your Hop card or show a mobile ticket to the operator when you enter the train. Fare inspectors ride the trains and check that all passengers have paid.

MAX runs frequently during the day (every 10 to 15 minutes on most lines) and less frequently at night and on Sundays. Check the app or website for the schedule for the specific line and time you plan to ride.

Planning Your Trip and Finding Your Stop

Before you ride TriMet for the first time, use the app or website to plan your route. Enter where you are and where you want to go, and the system will show you the best combination of buses and MAX trains. It will tell you which stop to board at, which direction to go, and where to get off. Most stops have a shelter or a sign with the route number and schedule posted.

If you're waiting at a bus stop, you can check the real-time arrival time in the app. This tells you exactly how many minutes until the next bus arrives, so you know whether to wait or come back later. At MAX stations, arrival times are displayed on electronic signs on the platform.

When you board, tell the bus driver or MAX operator where you're going if you're unsure about your stop. Drivers and operators are used to helping new riders and can point you to the right place to get off. You can also set a reminder in the app to alert you when your stop is coming up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a bike or large bag on TriMet?

Yes. All TriMet buses have a bike rack on the front that holds two bikes for free. MAX trains have a designated bike car (usually the first or last car) where you can bring your bike inside. Large bags and backpacks are allowed on both buses and MAX as long as they don't block the aisle or take up a seat.

What happens if I don't have a ticket or pass when I board?

Fare inspectors ride TriMet buses and MAX trains and check that passengers have paid. If you don't have a valid ticket or pass, you may be cited and asked to pay a fine. It's always safer to buy a ticket or pass before you board, even if you're just taking a short trip.

Does TriMet run all night?

Most TriMet routes run from early morning (around 5 a.m.) to late evening (around 11 p.m. or midnight). A few routes run 24 hours, but they are limited. Check the app or website for the schedule of your specific route, since hours vary by line and day of the week.

How do I report a lost item on TriMet?

Contact TriMet's Lost and Found department through the website or by phone. Have details ready about what you lost, which route or MAX line you were on, and roughly what time. Items are held for a set period before being discarded, so report a loss as soon as you notice it.

Can I get a refund if I buy a pass and don't use it?

Refund policies vary depending on how you bought the pass. Passes bought on a Hop card can sometimes be transferred to another card or refunded through TriMet's website, but policies change. Contact TriMet directly through their website or customer service line to ask about your specific situation.