TriMet’s fall service improvements kicked into gear Sunday, with the agency launching shifts to bus and light rail schedules that its leaders hope will make for a smoother, less congested ride.
“We’re going to give people time back in their lives,” said Tia York, a spokesperson for the agency.
York says the changes are part of the usual batch of route improvements made by TriMet biannually. These changes are typically implemented in the fall and the spring, though York says it’s possible minor route changes could follow in the winter.
Below are some of the most significant improvements. All started Sept 1:
Route change for Line 19-Woodstock/Glisan:
Pre-September, Line 19 moved through a congested stretch between the Ross Island Bridge and Interstate 405 in southeast Portland. Starting Sunday, bus drivers will take a less-clogged route down SW Lincoln Street.
Instead of stopping on Broadway, SW Arthur, SW 3rd Ave. and SW 5th Ave, buses will now stop on SW Lincoln between 1st and 5th avenues. Drivers will still cross on the Ross Island Bridge.
Riders can find adjusted bus stops here.
Sunday service for Line 30-Estacada and Line 32-Oatfield:
Clackamas County riders can now take both of these line seven days a week, with new Sunday service for people either moving between Oregon City Transit Center and Clackamas Community College or those going between Clackamas Town Center and Estacada.
The new Sunday service will copy the Saturday schedule.
New service on Line 74-162nd Ave:
Lots of changes are coming to this East Portland line, which began traveling on 162nd Avenue a year and a half ago. TriMet will now offer Saturday and Sunday service on this line and will put buses on the road at least every half hour between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Also, more buses will run during peak commuting hours.
TriMet says this should make for a more reliable ride for commuters in East Portland and Gresham.
New MAX schedules:
The schedule for all MAX lines has been shifted forward by two minutes. This means, if a commuter is used to catching the train to work at 7:34 a.m. everyday, they should now expect that train to arrive at 7:36 a.m.
York says the shift will make it easier for riders to transfer to a different line, especially those moving between the WES Commuter Rail and the red and blue line trains from Beaverton Transit Center.
People “were having to run to catch their connecting train,” she said. “So by making the small adjustment, we give them more time to make connections.”
