September 1996
Tri-Met is a regional government established to provide public transportation within specified areas of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
Tri-Met is governed by a seven-member board of directors--unpaid citizens appointed by the governor. Each board member represents a geographical district.
Ridership on buses and MAX light rail has increased to record levels, with total ridership more than doubling in the last 20 years.
Tri-Met serves 592 square miles of the urban portions of the tri-county area.
Tri-Met customers can catch buses on more than 50 routes along the Portland Transit Mall. Exclusive bus lanes span 36 blocks on Fifth and Sixth Avenues in downtown Portland. MAX light rail intersects the mall offering easy transit connections. The first of its kind in the country, the mall is the cornerstone of Portland's Downtown Plan and clean air strategy.
Tri-Met's light rail system known as MAX provided nearly 9 million rides last year. The 18-mile Westside extension is under construction and will begin operation in fall 1998. Planning is also underway for a 21-mile extension to the south and north. Tri-Met and MAX are both regarded as national models in how to use transit to manage growth and revitalize communities.
Tri-Met's 15-mile light rail line has provided more than 75.7 million rides since it opened on September 5, 1986. Since that opening, MAX service hours have increased 7.5%, yet ridership has increased 35%.
MAX was completed on time and under budget. The Banfield Transitway Project--the first joint highway-transit project in the United States, included construction of both light rail and 4.3 miles of the Banfield Freeway (I-84).
Light rail not only provides millions of rides each year, it's also an effective tool to create livable neighborhoods and encourage transit-oriented development. This type of development can be seen along every segment of the Eastside MAX line.
New Development Adjacent to Eastside MAX
Downtown $396.4 M Lloyd District 767 M Banfield 1.3 M Burnside 68.3 M Gresham 77.7 M
For example, the $262 million Rose Garden arena could have
easily been built in the suburbs. But with
one MAX line already in operation, and another slated
for construction, the Portland Trailblazers opted for a
transit-friendly location. All told, more than $1.3 billion worth
of development has occurred within walking distance of
the Eastside MAX line since the decision to build.
Construction is underway on the 18-mile Westside MAX project that will extend light rail from downtown Portland through Beaverton to downtown Hillsboro. The $944 million project opens in fall 1998. Two MAX stations in the Goose Hollow neighborhood will open in fall 1997.
The extension has 20 MAX stations including the Washington Park Station. That station will serve the twin-tube 3-mile underground tunnel that carries MAX under Portland's West Hills.
Westside MAX has great potential for transit-friendly development. There is already over $90 million of development underway near the MAX line and much more is expected in the future.
Tri-Met is the first transit agency in the U.S. to order low floor light rail cars, which make boarding easier for everyone. The 46 new low floor cars will be part of the fleet providing service along the 33-mile MAX line. The first low floor cars will begin operating on Eastside MAX in 1997.
Planning is underway to design a South/North MAX extension. Segment I of the project would expand the MAX system from Clackamas County through Milwaukie, and connect with Portland State University, the downtown Transit Mall, and The Rose Garden arena. Tri-Met is working to secure 50% federal matching funds for the project. Alignment of Segment I is being studied.
Local tax support for Tri-Met comes from payroll related taxes at a rate of .6176% ($6.17 per $1,000) on gross payroll.
Payroll Taxes $108,072,068 (71.4%) Cigarette Tax 1,789,625 ( 1.2%) Interest 2,452,189 ( 1.6%) Passenger Revenue 31,965,230 (21%) Federal Operating 2,040,724 (1.4%) Other Sources 5,080,639 (3.4%)
Fares are the same on buses and MAX--transfers are free. Tri-Met's service area is divided into three fare zones.
10 Monthly Annual
Cash Tickets Passes Passes
All Zones $1.35 $12.50 $46.00 $505.00
2 Zones 1.05 9.50 36.00 395.00
Short Hopper 8.50 --- --- ---
Honored Citizen* 0.50 4.00 10.00 110.00
Youth** 0.80 7.00 27.00 295.00
LIFT 1.00 9.00 20.00 ---
Day Ticket 3.25 --- --- ---
Children age 6 and under ride free with a fare-paying rider
* Age 65+ or Medicare or Tri-Met Honored Citizen card.
** Age 18 and under with ID.
How Passengers Pay Fares: Cash 38% Monthly Pass 49% Discount Ticket 13%
All rides are free within 300 square block area of Portland's downtown, bounded by the Willamette River, I-405 and NW Irving Street.
In addition to bus and MAX service, Tri-Met provides these services:
The services include arranging on-site transportation promotions and training company representatives on the "how-to's" of using Tri-Met and carpooling. For information, call (503) 238-5879.
Tri-Met offers a 50 cent cash fare to seniors and passengers with disabilities; nearly 100,000 Honored Citizen cards have been issued. Honored Citizens make up about 11% of Tri-Met's average monthly ridership.
Ridership has grown 20% in the last two years to over 550,000 rides this year. Approximately 300 new applicants for LIFT service are received monthly. LIFT has added 27% more service hours in the last two years and is expected to add another 10% next year. To register for LIFT service, call (503) 238-4952, TTY 238-5811 or fax 239-3092. To schedule a ride, call (503) 233-LIFT.
Customers who: Have a car, but prefer Tri-Met 70% Can't drive 7% No car available 14% Don't have car, prefer Tri-Met 8% Don't know 1%
Source: Tri-Met Attitude & Awareness Survey, August 1996.
Director District Term Expires Phil Bogue, President SW Portland 1/98 Shirley Huffman Washington County 3/00 Valerie White NW & N Portland 6/97 Donald McClave SE Portland 1/98 Nita Brueggeman NE Portland 1/97 Paul Kreider E Multnomah County 3/00 George Passadore Clackamas County 7/99
4012 SE 17th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202-3993
(503) 238-RIDE ; TTY (503) 238-5811