Mar/Apr 2008
In this issue:
- MAX to PDX
Take the easy way this Spring Break. Take the train to the plane.
- Rider Tip: Bikes on TriMet
Find out the how-to's when bringing your bike on TriMet. - Bike lockers: Secure and convenient
Bike lockers are a great option for bike commuters. - Healthy options: Ride public transit
Take the clean, affordable and healthy transportation alternative. - Security update
We're adding more police to help keep you safe. - April is Earth Month
TriMet is committed to a healthy, sustainable city. See what we're doing. - Service update
MAX/Streetcar interruptions
It's easy to take the train
to
the plane this Spring Break.
MAX to PDX: Heading out of town?
Flying out of PDX this Spring Break? It's easy to take the train to the plane.
TriMet's MAX Red Line is a convenient and inexpensive way to get to and from Portland International Airport.
Skip the hassles, grab your luggage and roll onboard. Trains from downtown Portland to PDX will take 38 minutes and run every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., daily. From Beaverton Transit Center, the trip takes about an hour.
You can catch a Red Line train at any MAX station between Beaverton and Gateway transit centers. All you need is your regular TriMet fare.
You can park for free at a Park & Ride lot, but remember there's a 24-hour limit, and it's enforced.
On your return trip, follow the signs to the light rail station. You can buy tickets and get service information in the lobby.
Next time you're heading out of town, why not take the train to the plane? Plan your trip.
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to top
Bring your bike on MAX—but
be sure to store it in the
designated area.
Rider Tip: Combining bikes with transit
These days more and more Portlanders are using pedal power to get around. And, a gowing number of cyclists are combining their bike trips with transit.
You can bring your bike with you on buses, MAX and the Portland Streetcar. To ensure a comfortable ride for everyone, learn how and where to properly load your bike when riding transit. More.
We're in it together
As a conscientious cyclist, please use caution when sharing the road with buses and MAX.
Be safe around buses
- • Signal your intentions, and make sure the driver sees you before passing or making a lane change.
In bus zones, bikes are not allowed to pass on the right.
• Be alert around buses. TriMet buses cross bike lanes to serve stops.
Be safe around MAX
- • MAX and railroad tracks are slippery—wet or dry. Walking your bike is the safest approach.
• Ride across tracks straight on (not at an angle) to avoid having your tire slip into the trackbed.
• Obey crossing signals and lights. Trains cannot stop quickly!
Secure your bike in one of
our
convenient bike lockers.
Bike lockers for mode splitters: secure and convenient
Listen up mode splitters (commuters who ride bikes to the nearest bus or MAX and then ride to their destination)! When bike spaces on buses or MAX are filled, you can securely park your bike in a locker at MAX Blue, Red and Yellow line stations, Park & Ride lots and transit centers. More.
It's a great option for bike commuters during rush hour when trains and buses are crowded. A $50 refundable deposit is needed in order to get a bike locker key. For more information or to reserve a locker, call 503-962-2104 or email bikelockers@trimet.org.
Walk to the next stop and get your
recommended
30 minutes
of daily exercise.
Take the clean, affordable and healthy transportation alternative: ride public transit
Without question, riding public transit is great for improving air quality. And, by getting out and walking to the bus, MAX or Portland Streetcar, you'll reap the benefits of improving your heart rate, circulation and overall health.
Did you know that cars and trucks contribute to two-thirds of transportation sector global warming emissions? And with every 30 minutes a person spends in a car translates into a 3% greater chance of becoming obese? The American Heart Association's 2007 exercise guidelines recommend 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise, such as walking, five days a week.
Spring is in the air and it's time to shed your winter clothes (and those annoying holiday pounds) and head out on foot. Get your recommended 30 minutes of exercise by walking to your bus stop or MAX/Portland Streetcar station and cut out the hassle of driving to work. Live clean, healthy and green.
We've added more police
for your safety.
Security update: We're adding more police to help keep you safe.
TriMet's top priority is maintaining a safe transit system. We're creating eastside and westside police precincts, dedicating more officers within their community to better patrol the transit system—particularly the MAX line.
The Westside Precinct will launch its patrols mid-March with five officers patrolling the transit system between Sunset Transit Center (TC) and Hillsboro.
TriMet and the city of Gresham will expand police presence on MAX and buses in East County. An Eastside Precinct will open April 1 with six officers patrolling the transit system between Gateway Transit Center and Cleveland Ave MAX stations. The precinct is part of a yearlong project that will grow to 10 officers by July 1, 2008.
The Portland Police Department, in partnership with the TriMet Police Department, will patrol the transit system between the Sunset and Gateway TCs.
In addition to these security improvements, TriMet has added more contract security, closed circuit TV security cameras, improved lighting and improved sight lines at MAX platforms. Additionally, TriMet is fixing faulty ticket machines and increasing fare inspection.
TriMet has contracted with Victory Outreach Community Services, Inc. who will work with youth to prevent gang activity on the MAX system. Police have extended Interdiction Command, where rowdy or intimidating riders can be immediately removed from the transit system for up to six hours. And, effective March 1, repeat juvenile offenders violating the TriMet code will be taken to juvenile detention for up to 36 hours where officials will work with the youths and their families to stop the activity.
These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to make TriMet safe, inviting and comfortable for everyone. More.
April is Earth Month
TriMet is committed to a healthy, sustainable city.
Last month Portland ranked #1 on Popular Science's America's 50 Greenest Cities list. Wonder how TriMet contributes to keeping Portland green?
Clean riding
TriMet is one of the largest biodiesel users in Oregon. All TriMet buses and LIFT vehicles use clean burning B5 biodiesel (a 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel blend). And, TriMet uses an ultra-low sulfur diesel that reduces sulfur content by 97%. In combination with biodiesel, this fuel blend reduces particulate emissions (visible black smoke) from buses up to 30%.
Portland was the first US city to have a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. TriMet buses, MAX and Portland Streetcar help keep 13% of Portlanders out of their cars for their commute to work, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 600 metric tons each day.
Silva Cell: an underground
bioretention system
Green construction in the I-205 Light Rail Project
TriMet is also integrating green utilities into the construction of the I-205 Light Rail Project. Silva Cells are a modular, underground bio-retention system that utilizes the proven capacity of soils for storm water management and healthy tree growth. Silva Cells serve two important functions: to grow large, healthy trees and to instantly treat rainwater.
A variety of other water-quality facilities will be incorporated to clean and detain storm water runoff. Vegetated bioswales will filter and slow storm water runoff. Nearly 1,810 ft. of existing sound walls will be relocated and nearly one mile of 8-foot high sound walls will be installed along the I-205 light rail line. For this purpose, TriMet has selected a unique product that consists of a composite plastic shell, filled with recycled, chipped tires. These new sound walls will divert a total of 9,030 tires from the landfill.
Sustainable practices on the Portland Mall Light Rail Project
Green practices are also being implemented in the Portland Mall Light Rail Project. TriMet is implementing numerous sustainable measures and is pursuing the agency's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the Jackson South Terminus building.
Construction vehicles are using a B20 biodiesel blend that reduces carbon dioxide emissions and toxic compounds in the air.
TriMet and its contractor are working to salvage, recycle and reuse materials along the Portland Mall. Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of concrete, existing aggregate and base material will be crushed or cleaned and then reused.
Renewable energy will be collected from nine wind turbines that are mounted on top of the light rail's catenary poles that could provide an additional 360 watts of power.
It's a healthy alternative
Public transit is a sustainable transportation choice—thanks for riding! More.
Service update: MAX/Streetcar interruptions
Service reminder for weekend shuttle buses for MAX and Portland Streetcar.
Portland Streetcar (March 28-30)
Portland Streetcar service will be interrupted from 7 p.m. March 28 through end of service March 30 due to track work on SW 6th Ave. Shuttle buses will cover the loop of service between SW 11th and Clay to South Waterfront and back to SW 10th and Clay.
MAX (April 19-20 and April 26-27)
Two MAX service interruptions are planned for April from Gateway Transit Center (TC) to 102nd Ave Station. Shuttle buses will carry riders between the two closed stations.
MAX Blue Line will not run between Gateway/NE 99th Ave TC and E 102nd Ave stations Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20 and April 26-27. During the closures new MAX Green Line tracks will be connected to existing MAX tracks.
MAX Red and Yellow Line trains will run regular service.
Allow extra time
TriMet staff will be available to help. We'll be doing our best to keep you moving during the interruptions, but we suggest you allow an extra 10-15 minutes in your trips.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact us at riderinsider@trimet.org.
Thanks
for riding TriMet!
