View source for MAX Light Rail

{{short description|Light rail system serving Portland, Oregon}}
{{for-multi|the streetcar system in Portland|Portland Streetcar|other uses|Metropolitan Area Express (disambiguation)|and|Max (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Metropolitan Area Express
| image = TriMet MAX logo.svg
| imagesize = 150px
| image2 = Ad-free MAX train of two Type 2 cars on Steel Bridge in 2015.jpg
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| image3 = Tilikum Crossing with streetcar and MAX train in 2016.jpg
| alt3 = 
| caption3 = '''Top:''' A Type 2 [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]] train crossing the [[Steel Bridge]]
<br />'''Bottom:''' A MAX train and a [[Portland Streetcar]] tram on [[Tilikum Crossing]]
| area served = 
| locale = [[Portland, Oregon]], U.S.
| transit_type = [[Light rail]]
| lines = 5
| stations = [[List of MAX Light Rail stations|93]]
| daily_ridership = {{American transit ridership|OR Portland LR daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|OR Portland LR annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| website = {{URL|trimet.org/max}}
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|1986|9|5}}
| owner = [[TriMet]]
| operator = 
| character = 
| stock = {{Plainlist|
* [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] high-floor LRV (Type 1)
* [[Siemens SD660]] (Types 2, 3)
* Siemens [[Siemens S700 and S70|S70]] (Type 4)
* Siemens [[Siemens S700 and S70|S700]] (Types 5, 6)
}}
| vehicles = 145<ref name="TriMet At-A-Glance">{{cite web|title=TriMet At-A-Glance|url=http://trimet.org/ataglance/|publisher=TriMet|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=January 2016|archive-date=January 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131065418/http://trimet.org/ataglance/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| train_length = 
| headway = 
| system_length = {{Convert|59.7|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}
| el = {{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}}<ref name="power-signals">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/history/pdf/rail-powersignals.pdf |title=Power, Signals and Traffic Interface |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005210814/https://trimet.org/history/pdf/rail-powersignals.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| average_speed = 
| top_speed = 
| map = {{switcher
|[[File:Portland Trimet Map.png|300px]]
|Show static map
|{{MAX Light Rail system|inline=y}}
|Show route diagram map
}}
| map_state = 
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
}}

The '''Metropolitan Area Express''' ('''MAX''') is a [[light rail]] system serving the [[Portland metropolitan area]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oregon]]. Owned and operated by [[TriMet]], it consists of five lines connecting the [[Neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon|six sections]] of Portland; the communities of [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]], [[Clackamas, Oregon|Clackamas]], [[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]], [[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]], [[Milwaukie, Oregon|Milwaukie]], and [[Oak Grove, Oregon|Oak Grove]]; and [[Portland International Airport]] to [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|Portland City Center]]. Trains run seven days a week with [[headway]]s between 30 minutes off-peak and three minutes during [[rush hour]]s. In 2023, MAX recorded an annual ridership of {{American transit ridership|OR Portland LR annual}}.

MAX was among the first [[Light rail in the United States#"Second-generation" modern systems|second-generation]] American light rail systems to be built, conceived from [[Highway revolts in the United States|freeway revolts]] that took place in the 1970s. Planning for the network's inaugural eastside segment, then referred to as the [[Banfield Light Rail Project]], started in 1973 ahead of the cancelation of the [[Mount Hood Freeway]]. Construction began in 1982, and service commenced between downtown Portland and Gresham on September 5, 1986. The original 27-station, {{convert|15.1|mi|km|adj=on|0}} line has since been expanded to [[List of MAX Light Rail stations|93 stations]] and {{convert|59.7|mi|km|1}} of track. The latest extension, from [[MAX Orange Line (TriMet)|Portland to Milwaukie]], opened in 2015.

MAX is one of three [[urban rail transit]] services operating in the Portland metropolitan area, the other two being the [[Portland Streetcar]] and [[WES Commuter Rail]]. MAX directly connects with them as well as with other transit services such as [[Amtrak]], [[Frequent Express]], and local and [[Intercity bus service|intercity buses]]. Trains operate with two-car [[Train|consist]]s due to downtown Portland's short [[city block]]s. Vehicles and platforms are [[Accessibility|fully accessible]], and [[fare]]s are collected through the [[Hop Fastpass]] payment system.

==History==
===Predecessors===

In the early 20th century, privately funded [[interurban]]s and [[streetcar]]s gave Portland one of the largest urban rail systems in the [[Western United States|American West]], with lines that once extended as far north as [[Vancouver, Washington]], south as [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], east as [[Troutdale, Oregon|Troutdale]], and west as [[Forest Grove, Oregon|Forest Grove]].<ref name="Selinger">{{cite web |title=Making History: 45 Years of Transit in the Portland Region |last=Selinger |first=Philip |date=2015 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://trimet.org/pdfs/history/making-history.pdf |oclc=919377348 |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509021212/https://trimet.org/pdfs/history/making-history.pdf |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=unfit}}</ref>{{rp|7–8}}<ref name="thompson2010">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Richard M. |date=2010 |title=Portland's Streetcar Lines |pages=7–8 |publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7385-8126-2 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rCD1zjOPXvMC&pg=PA71 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131050209/https://books.google.com/books?id=rCD1zjOPXvMC&pg=PA71 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|7–8}} [[Ben Holladay]] brought over Portland's first trolleys from [[San Francisco]] in 1872; drawn by [[horse]]s and [[mule]]s, they were operated by the [[Portland Street Railway Company]]. In 1890, the first electric streetcar opened in [[Albina, Oregon|Albina]] while the first [[cable car (railway)|cable car]] began serving 5th Avenue; these marked the start of an era of major rail expansion.<ref name="History of Public Transit">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/history/transitinportland.htm |title=A History of Public Transit in Portland |publisher=TriMet |access-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207154617/https://trimet.org/history/transitinportland.htm |archive-date=December 7, 2018}}</ref> In 1892, the [[East Side Railway Company]] opened the first long-distance interurban line—a {{convert|16|mi|km|1|adj=on|abbr=out}} route from Portland to [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Portland's Interurban Years |publisher=TriMet |access-date=December 5, 2018 |url=https://trimet.org/history/newinterurban.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206000542/https://trimet.org/history/newinterurban.htm}}</ref> The [[Portland Railway, Light and Power Company]] had taken over all local streetcars by 1906,<ref>{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Richard |title=Portland's Streetcars |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=piI9fw4I5i8C&pg=PT9 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |date=2006 |isbn=978-1-4396-3109-6 |pages=9–17 |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131050204/https://books.google.com/books?id=piI9fw4I5i8C&pg=PT9 |url-status=live }}</ref> and interurbans by 1908.<ref name="thompson-interurban">{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Richard M. |title=Portland's Interurban Railway |year=2012 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-9617-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UzNzsC23VvgC&q=%22last%20two%22%20interurban%20Bellrose&pg=PA61 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005210816/https://books.google.com/books?id=UzNzsC23VvgC&q=%22last%20two%22%20interurban%20Bellrose&pg=PA61 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|93}} In 1912, as Portland's population exceeded 250,000, transit ridership stood at 70&nbsp;million passengers annually.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|8}} Passenger rail services had started to decline by the 1920s with the rise of the automobile and [[suburb]]an and [[controlled-access highway|freeway]] development.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|9}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Killen |first=John |title=Past Tense Oregon: New MAX line recalls of Portland's first - and last - interurban route |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 22, 2015 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2015/06/past_tense_oregon_new_max_line.html |access-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522170557/https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2015/06/past_tense_oregon_new_max_line.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Portland's original streetcar lines had ceased operating by 1950,<ref name="thompson2010"/>{{rp|33}} replaced by [[bus]]es until 2001,<ref>{{cite news |last=Turnquist |first=Kristi |title=Traveling through the history of Portland's streetcars |newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |date=February 24, 2011 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2011/02/traveling_through_the_history.html |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326145051/https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2011/02/traveling_through_the_history.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> when the modern [[Portland Streetcar]] opened in [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|downtown Portland]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Portland streetcars--something old, something new |newspaper=[[Portland Business Journal]] |date=July 19, 2001 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2001/07/16/daily30.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014011545/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2001/07/16/daily30.html |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Maves | first1=Norm Jr. |last2=Stewart |first2=Bill |title=Trolley's late scribe was 'delighted' at new line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 20, 2001 |page=32}}</ref> The region's last two interurban lines, which traveled to Oregon City and Bellrose (Southeast 136th Avenue), permanently closed in 1958.<ref name="thompson-interurban"/>{{rp|61, 93}}<ref>{{cite news |last=David |first=Ken |title=Company Surprises Customers: Firm Abandons Passenger Run after Sundown |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 26, 1958 |page=1}}</ref>

===Early beginnings===
{{Main|MAX Blue Line}}
[[File:Portland Bombardier LRV turning at 11th & Morrison (1987).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|An original [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] light rail train entering the [[Library/Southwest 9th Avenue and Galleria/Southwest 10th Avenue stations#11th Avenue loop tracks|11th Avenue turnaround loop]] in downtown Portland in 1987]]

At the height of local [[Highway revolts in the United States|freeway revolts]] in the 1970s, studies for public transit began using funds made available by the [[Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973]].<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|20}} These funds had been intended for the [[Mount Hood Freeway]] and [[Interstate 505 (Oregon)|Interstate 505]] (I-505) projects,<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|30}} which were abandoned amid strong opposition from the Portland city government and neighborhood associations.<ref name="Hell">{{cite web |url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-4212-highway-to-hell.html |title=Highway to Hell |last=Young |first=Bob |date=March 8, 2005 |newspaper=[[Willamette Week]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917044251/https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-4212-highway-to-hell.html |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Effort to Stop">{{cite news |last=Paglin |first=Morton |title=Effort to stop freeway remembered |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 28, 2004 |page=B6}}</ref> In 1973, Governor [[Tom McCall]] assembled a task force that helped determine several alternative options, including a [[Bus rapid transit|busway]] and light rail.<ref>{{cite report |date=1975 |title=West Portland Park-and-ride, Pacific Hwy, I-5, Multnomah County: Environmental Impact Statement |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |page=11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7qo1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA11 |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731220542/https://books.google.com/books?id=7qo1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TAUT2009">{{cite journal |last1=Fox |first1=Gerald |title=LRT v Buses: Why Portland chose light rail |journal=Tramways & Urban Transit |date=October 2009 |page=391}}</ref> Local jurisdictions originally favored the busway alternative but support for light rail prevailed following the mode's inclusion in a 1977 [[environmental impact statement]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Meetings on transit ideas slated |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 4, 1975 |page=C2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Tri-Met board backs Banfield rail option |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 8, 1977 |page=1}}</ref> The proposal became known as the Banfield light rail project, named for the [[Banfield Freeway]], a segment of [[Interstate 84 in Oregon|I-84]] that part of the alignment followed. TriMet approved the project in September 1978.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hortsch |first=Dan |date=September 27, 1978 |title=Tri-Met board votes to back Banfield light-rail project |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=F1}}</ref> Construction of the {{convert|15.3|mi|km|adj=on|abbr=out}}, 27-station line between [[Library/Southwest 9th Avenue and Galleria/Southwest 10th Avenue stations|11th Avenue]] in downtown Portland and [[Cleveland Avenue station|Cleveland Avenue]] in Gresham began in March 1982.<ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |date=March 27, 1982 |title=At ground-breaking: Festivities herald transitway |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=A12}}</ref> Inaugural service commenced on September 5, 1986.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koberstein |first=Paul |date=September 7, 1986 |title=Riders swamp light rail as buses go half-full and schedules go by the way |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=A1}}</ref> Less than two months before opening, TriMet adopted the name "Metropolitan Area Express", or "MAX", following an employee contest.<ref>{{cite news |last=Austin |first=David |date=July 26, 1986 |title=MAX winning moniker for $214 million light-rail line |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=C2}}</ref><ref name="selinger-2019"/>{{rp|46}}

As the planning of a light rail line to the west side gained momentum in the mid-1980s, the original MAX line came to be referred to as the Eastside MAX to distinguish it from what would become the Westside MAX extension.<ref name="max-blue-line-eastside-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-blueline-eastside.pdf |title=Banfield Light Rail Eastside MAX Blue Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509045244/http://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-blueline-eastside.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Early proposals called for the extension to terminate just west of the [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]]–[[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]] boundary on [[Willow Creek/Southwest 185th Avenue Transit Center|185th Avenue]] in [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington County]].<ref name="Washington County EIS">{{cite report |date=1994 |title=Hillsboro Extension of the Westside Corridor Project, Washington County: Environmental Impact Statement |publisher=[[Federal Transit Administration]] |page=P1–P5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ih03AQAAMAAJ |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> A dispute between TriMet and the [[Urban Mass Transportation Administration]] over a financing plan suspended the project for several years but planning resumed in 1988 and studies were completed in 1991.<ref name="Washington County EIS"/><ref name="Tri-Met heats up">{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Tri-Met heats up study for westside light rail |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 7, 1987 |page=E14}}</ref> Staunch lobbying by local and state officials led by Hillsboro Mayor [[Shirley Huffman]] forced an extension of the line further west to downtown Hillsboro in 1993.<ref name="Fiery">{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Don |title=Shirley Huffman, fiery lobbyist, earns praise; Hard work and a sharp phone call put light-rail trains into downtown Hillsboro |work=The Oregonian |date=February 23, 2000 |page=E2}}</ref> Construction of the 20-station, {{convert|18|mi|km|0|adj=on|abbr=out}} line began that August with the excavation of the [[Robertson Tunnel]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Groundbreaking ceremonies set to launch project |newspaper=The Sunday Oregonian |date=August 8, 1993 |at="Westside Light Rail: Making Tracks" (special section), p. R1}}</ref> The Westside MAX opened in two stages following delays in tunneling: the section from 11th Avenue to [[Kings Hill/Southwest Salmon Street station|Kings Hill/Southwest Salmon Street]] was opened in 1997 and the section to [[Hatfield Government Center station|Hatfield Government Center]]—the segment's current western terminus—was opened in 1998.<ref name="New MAX cars">{{cite news |last=O'Keefe |first=Mark |title=New MAX cars smooth the way for wheelchairs |work=The Oregonian |date=September 1, 1997 |page=B12}}</ref> The resulting {{convert|33|mi|km|0|adj=on}} MAX line began operating as a single, through service on September 12, 1998.<ref name="end">{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Gordon |last2=Hamilton |first2=Don |title=Go west young MAX |work=The Oregonian |date=September 9, 1998 |page=C1}}</ref> This service was renamed the [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]] in 2001 after TriMet adopted color designations for its light rail routes.<ref name="taut-dec2000">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Systems News [regular news section] |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |date=December 2000 |page=471 |location=UK |issn=1460-8324 |quote=With the light rail system due to expand to two services in September 2001, and three in 2004 (with all three using the same routing and stops in the city centre), Tri-Met has decided to assign route colours as follows ...}}</ref>

===South/North plan===

At the same time TriMet was planning the Westside MAX in the mid-1980s, [[Metro (Oregon regional government)|Metro]] regional government announced new light rail proposals for [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas County]]. Its planning committee—the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT)—proposed two separate routes that would have run between downtown Portland and [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]] via [[Milwaukie, Oregon|Milwaukie]] and between [[Portland International Airport]] and [[Clackamas Town Center]] via [[Interstate 205 (Oregon–Washington)|I-205]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Where's east side light rail going next? |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 3, 1986 |page=2}}</ref> Further planning led JPACT to favor the I-205 corridor due to an existing [[Right-of-way (property access)|right-of-way]] along the [[I-205 Transitway]], an unfinished mass transit component of the freeway that had been built to accommodate a busway.<ref>{{cite news |last=Briggs |first=Kara |title=Metro considers transit options along I-205 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 24, 2002 |page=D2}}</ref><ref name="after-35-years">{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=After 35 years of waiting, TriMet's Green Line hits all the parties: Thousands ride new I-205 line that was born of a '70s freeway rebellion |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=September 10, 2009 |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125252833417516900 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608052643/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125252833417516900 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> TriMet, however, prioritized the Westside MAX during its bid for federal matching funds and the I-205 plans were put on hold.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Vince |title=Joint efforts of business, government could spur rail line; both groups need to finance, back line along I-205, panel says |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 23, 1988 |page=B5}}</ref> In 1989, studies for both I-205 and Milwaukie proposals received funding from the U.S. [[Senate Committee on Appropriations]] under the condition that they included potential route extensions to [[Clark County, Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kohler |first1=Vince |last2=Stewart |first2=Bill |title=Light-rail proposals gain ground in Congress; senate panel approves transportation funding bill, aiding plans for new Oregon City, Vancouver lines |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 10, 1989 |page=C2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=County light-rail project gains momentum |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 12, 1993 |page=B2}}</ref> Metro completed the studies in 1993, ultimately abandoning I-205 in favor of a route along the [[Interstate 5 (Oregon)|I-5]] and [[Willamette River]] corridors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Citizens advisory committee endorses pair of light-rail routes |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 11, 1993 |page=B3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Decisions to be made soon on north–south light rail |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 7, 1993 |page=C4}}</ref> It finalized a single {{convert|25|mi|km|adj=on|abbr=out}} line from [[Hazel Dell, Washington]] south to Clackamas Town Center via Milwaukie,<ref>{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=Planners narrowing options for north–south light-rail line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 13, 1994 |page=C5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Dennis |title=Light-rail service? On to Oregon City! |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 15, 1994 |page=D2}}</ref> which Metro and TriMet formally named the South–North Line.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|80}} Metro said it adopted the name "South/North" instead of the more conventional "North/South" word order, at the request of representatives in the southern part of the corridor after the southern leg, which had long been planned to be the next-priority MAX corridor after the Westside line, was merged with the northern leg as a single proposed project.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ask the O (Q & A): Q:Why is the next phase of light rail being called 'South–North' instead of 'North–South', a more familiar use of the words? |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 1, 1994 }}</ref>

In November 1994, 63% of Portland area voters passed a $475{{nbsp}}million [[ballot measure]] to fund Oregon's portion of the project.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|80}} The following February, however, Clark County residents defeated a tax measure that would have funded Washington's share.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Clark County turns down north–south light rail |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 8, 1995 |page=A1}}</ref> To move the project forward, TriMet downsized the plan and abandoned the line's Clark County and North Portland segments up to the [[Rose Quarter]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Gordon |last2=Stewart |first2=Bill |title=MAX may skip Clark County, N. Portland |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 1, 1995 |page=B1}}</ref> That July, the [[Oregon House of Representatives]] approved a $750{{nbsp}}million transportation package, which included $375&nbsp;million for the scaled-back line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Ashbel S. |last2=Mapes |first2=Jeff |title=Legislature is finally working on the railroad |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 4, 1995 |page=A1}}</ref> The funding was annulled by the [[Oregon Supreme Court]] due to the inclusion of unrelated measures that violated the state's constitution.<ref name="light-rail-history">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Some light-rail history |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=October 7, 1996 |page=A8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Spicer |first=Osker |title=Light-rail would be good for areas |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 31, 1996 |page=C2}}</ref> The legislature met again in February 1996 and passed a revised $375{{nbsp}}million package,<ref name="light-rail-history"/> but light rail opponents forced a statewide vote and defeated it the following November.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Gordon |last2=Hunsberger |first2=Brent |title=Tri-Met still wants that rail line to Clackamas County |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 7, 1996 |page=D1}}</ref> A third proposal between Lombard Street in North Portland and Clackamas Town Center followed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=South–north light-rail issue keeps on going |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 12, 1997 |page=A1}}</ref> This time, Metro and TriMet pursued the project without seeking contributions from either Clark County or the state, instead sourcing funds from Clackamas County and Portland. In 1998, TriMet placed a new ballot measure to reaffirm voter support for the $475{{nbsp}}million originally approved in 1994.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|80}} The measure failed by 52% in November of that year, effectively canceling the proposed line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Gordon |title=South–north line backers find themselves at a loss after election day defeat |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 7, 1998 |page=B1}}</ref>

===Airport and Interstate lines===
{{Main|MAX Red Line|MAX Yellow Line (TriMet)}}
[[File:SW 4th Avenue MAX station.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|A train stopped at Mall/Southwest 4th Avenue station in 2009, when it was served by the Blue, Red, and Yellow lines]]

Compelled by the rapid expansion of Portland International Airport in the 1990s, the [[Port of Portland (Oregon)|Port of Portland]] began exploring ways to alleviate worsening traffic congestion,<ref name="Airport struggles">{{cite news |last=Marks |first=Anita |title=Airport struggles with runaway growth |newspaper=Portland Business Journal |date=February 25, 1994 |page=1}}</ref> including the possibility of introducing MAX service,<ref name="Port wants MAX">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Port wants MAX to run to airport |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 22, 1997 |page=A1}}</ref> which regional planners had not anticipated for at least another 20 years.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-redline.pdf |title=Airport MAX Red Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035659/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-redline.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> In 1997, engineering firm [[Bechtel]] accelerated plans by submitting an [[unsolicited proposal]] to design and build an [[airport rail link]] in exchange for {{convert|120|acre|ha}} of Port property.<ref name="Port wants MAX"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Michael |title=PDX light rail may lead to south-north line |newspaper=Portland Business Journal |date=December 19, 1997 |page=1}}</ref> A [[public–private partnership]] between the company and local governments was negotiated and construction of the Airport MAX began in June 1999.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|82}}<ref name="Take Shape">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Light-rail line to PDX starting to take shape |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 17, 1999 |page=B1}}</ref> With no federal assistance requested and right-of-way already secured,<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|82}} it was completed in just under two years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Light rail to airport gets closer to reality |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 10, 1998 |page=B1}}</ref> The four-station, {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|adj=on|abbr=out}} line between [[Gateway/Northeast 99th Avenue Transit Center]] and [[Portland International Airport station]] opened on September 10, 2001.<ref name="oreg-2001-city-that-moves">{{cite news|last1=Oliver|first1=Gordon|title=Portland now 'the city that moves', mayor says [opening of MAX Red Line]|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=September 11, 2001|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Unknowns cloud PDX's future |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 21, 2001 |page=D1}}</ref> Celebrations scheduled for that weekend were canceled in the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=History cancels PDX party |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 15, 2001 |page=D8}}</ref> [[MAX Red Line|Red Line]] service originally ran between the airport and downtown, turning around at the loop tracks on 11th Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Airport MAX rolls out Monday |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 7, 2001 |page=B1}}</ref> On September 1, 2003, it was extended west along existing tracks to [[Beaverton Transit Center]] to relieve overcrowding on the Blue Line and to create a one-seat airport connection for the west side.<ref name="direct service Beaverton">{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |date=August 27, 2003 |title=MAX fares increase, direct service from Beaverton to PDX starts |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D2}}</ref>

In 1999, Portland business leaders and residents who were opposed to the cancellation of the South–North Line urged TriMet to revive the project.<ref name="oreg-1999mar16">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=New light-rail plan rises from the ashes |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 16, 1999 |page=1}}</ref><ref name="oreg-1999mar25">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Tri-Met involvement urged in north light-rail line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 25, 1999 |page=B3}}</ref> TriMet responded with a new proposal that would expand MAX solely to North Portland via North Interstate Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Tri-Met adds detail to proposal to build light rail in the north |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 3, 1999 |page=C2}}</ref> The agency moved forward with this plan and the Interstate MAX broke ground in February 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Interstate MAX work will begin with Monday ceremony |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 16, 2001 |page=D3}}</ref> To minimize costs to taxpayers, the city created an [[urban renewal|urban renewal district]] and federal matching funds were allocated from the Airport MAX and [[NS Line|Portland Streetcar]] projects, since these projects were locally funded.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Interstate MAX on track but not final |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 26, 1999 |page=D2}}</ref><ref name="clinton-money">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=NW prominent in Clinton money plan. MAX: The North Portland Interstate |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 5, 2000 |page=A1}}</ref> The 10-station, {{convert|5.8|mi|km|1|adj=on}} extension from the Rose Quarter to the [[Expo Center station|Expo Center]] opened on May 1, 2004, with its new service designated the [[MAX Yellow Line (TriMet)|Yellow Line]].<ref name="open-for-business">{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=The Yellow Line: Open for business |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 25, 2004 |page=B5}}</ref> From 2004 to 2009, the Yellow Line ran from [[Expo Center station]] in North Portland to 11th Avenue in downtown Portland, following the Blue and Red lines' downtown alignment from the [[Steel Bridge]]. On August 30, 2009, it was rerouted to terminate at the [[PSU Urban Center stations]] with the addition of light rail to the [[Portland Transit Mall]].<ref name="tribune2009-0828">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New MAX line opens downtown |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=August 28, 2009 |url=http://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=54413 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103091415/http://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=54413 |archive-date=January 3, 2015}}</ref> In September 2012, this was extended further south to the [[PSU South stations]], which had not been built due to the construction of nearby [[transit-oriented development]].<ref name="lastpiece">{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=Line's last piece stirs money questions |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=September 24, 2009 |url=http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=125373697936164200 |access-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222054826/http://thetribonline.net/news/story.php?story_id=125373697936164200 |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref name="oreg-2012aug31">{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Everton Jr.|title=TriMet boosts most fares starting Saturday; some routes changing|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=August 30, 2012 <!--print edition date Aug. 31, 2012, page 1-->|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/roadreport/index.ssf/2012/08/trimet_boosts_most_fares_start.html|access-date=September 2, 2012|archive-date=September 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902193556/http://www.oregonlive.com/roadreport/index.ssf/2012/08/trimet_boosts_most_fares_start.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Yellow Line became [[Through train|interlined]] with the [[MAX Orange Line (TriMet)|Orange Line]] in 2015; it now only operates the northbound segment of the transit mall.<ref name="you-asked-orange-downtown">{{cite web |url=http://howweroll.trimet.org/2015/06/19/you-asked-how-will-max-orange-line-work-in-downtown-portland/ |last=Lum |first=Brian |title=You asked: How will the Orange Line work in downtown Portland? |publisher=TriMet |date=June 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026140806/http://howweroll.trimet.org/2015/06/19/you-asked-how-will-max-orange-line-work-in-downtown-portland/ |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |url-status=unfit}}</ref>

===South Corridor extensions===
{{Main|MAX Green Line|MAX Orange Line (TriMet)}}
[[File:MAX Orange Line Opening Day (21259084049).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Crowds at [[South Waterfront/Southwest Moody station]] and Tilikum Crossing during the Orange Line's opening in 2015]]

In 2001, Metro revisited its former light rail plans for Clackamas County and reconsidered proposals similar to those of the canceled south–north project, with two routes extending to Clackamas and Milwaukie.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=New MAX plan tries the double-team approach |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 8, 2001 |page=D1 |author-link=Joseph Rose (journalist)}}</ref> This resulted in a new study, which Metro referred to as the South Corridor transportation project,<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=Metro planners will study two south light-rail lines |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 6, 2001 |page=E3}}</ref> that evaluated light rail among other alternatives.<ref name="new-max-plans-arrive">{{cite news |last=Oppenheimer |first=Laura |title=New MAX plans arrive for input; a revived bid to expand light rail to Milwaukie, one of five transit proposals, may fare better now that former critics are on board |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 27, 2003 |page=E1}}</ref> The study's task force recommend both light rail options in 2003 and suggested splitting the project into two phases.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=TriMet board agrees to plan for southeast light-rail lines |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 27, 2003 |page=C2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oppenheimer |first=Laura |title=Metro gives final OK to MAX lines |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 18, 2003 |page=D6}}</ref> The first phase planned for the addition of light rail to I-205, between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center. In October of that year, the first phase plans were amended to include adding light rail to the Portland Transit Mall following a petition from Portland business leaders.<ref name="likely-addition">{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=Light-rail line likely addition to transit mall |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 15, 2003 |page=B1}}</ref> The combined project was approved for federal funding in 2006 and work began in January 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=James |title=Metro rail projects hit funding fast track |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 8, 2006 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name="bushs-2008-budget">{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=James |title=Light rail in Bush's 2008 budget |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 8, 2007 |page=C5}}</ref> Light rail commenced service along the 14-station, {{convert|1.8|mi|km|1|adj=on|abbr=out}} Portland Transit Mall on August 30, 2009, first served by the Yellow Line.<ref name="tribune2009-0828"/> The opening of the eight-station, {{convert|6.5|mi|km|1|adj=on|abbr=out}} I-205 MAX and [[MAX Green Line|Green Line]] service followed on September 12.<ref name="green-festivities">{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=Dylan |title=Thousands on MAX go Green Festivities and free rides draw takers for the new downtown–Clackamas Town Center line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 13, 2009}}</ref>

The South Corridor project's second phase initially proposed the extension of MAX between downtown Portland and Milwaukie via the [[Hawthorne Bridge]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Dennis |title=Milwaukie group poses surprise light-rail option |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 20, 2001 |page=C3}}</ref> Studies showed that this alignment would cause severe traffic bottlenecks in downtown.<ref name="likely-addition"/> As a result, Portland businesses pushed for the construction of a new bridge further upstream that led to the southern end of the Portland Transit Mall.<ref name="new-max-plans-arrive"/> The locally preferred alignment was finalized in mid-2008; a new bridge would carry light rail across the Willamette River from the [[South Waterfront]] to just south of the [[Oregon Museum of Science and Industry]] (OMSI).<ref name=oreg-2008may2>{{cite news |last=Mortenson |first=Eric |date=May 2, 2008 |title=Panel realigns route of new light-rail span |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D1}}</ref> TriMet designed this bridge, which was eventually inaugurated as [[Tilikum Crossing]], to be "car-free" and to accommodate only transit vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.<ref name=Libby2015>{{Cite journal |last=Libby |first=Brian |date=October 2015 |title=Bridge to the Future (The Bridge that Bans Cars) |journal=[[The Atlantic]] |volume=316 |issue=3 |pages=42–43 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/10/the-bridge-that-bans-cars/403234/ |access-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429180250/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/10/the-bridge-that-bans-cars/403234/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of the line began in June 2011.<ref name="piece by piece">{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Rose (journalist) |title=Construction begins on new light-rail bridge in Portland that will go up 'piece by piece' |date=June 29, 2011 |newspaper=The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/06/construction_begins_thursday_o.html |access-date=July 27, 2013 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105083403/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2011/06/construction_begins_thursday_o.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2012, opponents passed a ballot initiative—with 60% of the vote—requiring all Clackamas County spending on light rail to be approved by voters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Theriault |first=Denis C. |title=Checkpoint Clackamas! Keeping Portland Out—to Let More Republicans In? |url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/checkpoint-clackamas/Content?oid=6165483 |newspaper=[[The Portland Mercury]] |access-date=February 22, 2016 |date=May 31, 2012 |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103011344/http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/checkpoint-clackamas/Content?oid=6165483 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Zheng |first=Yuxing |title=Clackamas County anti-rail measure passes comfortably; effect could resonate for decades |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/index.ssf/2012/09/clackamas_county_anti-rail_mea.html |newspaper=The Oregonian |access-date=February 22, 2016 |date=September 18, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083522/http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/index.ssf/2012/09/clackamas_county_anti-rail_mea.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the county's attempt to end its involvement and a suit filed by TriMet, a [[circuit court]] upheld the project's continuation.<ref name="selinger-2019">{{cite web |title=Making History: 50 Years of Transit in the Portland Region |last=Selinger |first=Philip |date=October 2019 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225160919/https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>{{rp|95–96}} The 17-station, {{convert|7.3|mi|km|1|adj=on|abbr=out}} Portland–Milwaukie segment and Orange Line service opened on September 12, 2015.<ref name="wait's over">{{cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=September 12, 2015<!--(print edition September 13, p. A12)--> |title=The wait's over: TriMet's Orange Line, Tilikum Crossing up and running |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2015/09/orange_line_tilikum_crossing_o_1.html |newspaper=The Oregonian |access-date=September 18, 2015 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190516/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2015/09/orange_line_tilikum_crossing_o_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Orange Line, operating along the Portland Transit Mall's southbound segment, became the third service to serve this corridor.<ref name="you-asked-orange-downtown"/>

===Red Line track improvements and extension to Hillsboro===
[[File:Red Line track and I-205 bike path, February 2018.jpg|thumb|left|alt=refer to caption|A single-track segment of the Airport MAX along I-205 in 2018. Since January 2024, this formerly [[single-track railway|bidirectional section of track]] is used solely by outbound trains.]]

In October 2017,<ref name="trimet-considering-expansion">{{cite news |last=Howard |first=John William |title=TriMet considering expansion of MAX Red Line to county fairgrounds |newspaper=[[Hillsboro Tribune]] |date=October 25, 2017 |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/376594-262316-trimet-considering-expansion-of-max-red-line-to-county-fairgrounds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010164324/https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/376594-262316-trimet-considering-expansion-of-max-red-line-to-county-fairgrounds |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> TriMet, citing system-wide delays caused by two [[single-track railway|single-track]] segments along the Airport MAX, announced the MAX Red Line Improvements Project,<ref name="red-line-imp-fs-mar20">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/redlineimprovements/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |title=MAX Red Line Improvements Project |publisher=TriMet |access-date=Mar 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302143604/https://trimet.org/redlineimprovements/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> later renamed "A Better Red".<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |title=A Better Red |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928180252/https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> ''A Better Red'' sought double-tracking a {{convert|2800|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} section of track north of Gateway Transit Center and another {{convert|3800|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} section alongside Northeast Airport Way just before the airport terminal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/better-red-JPACT-1-18-18.pdf |title=MAX Red Line Extension and Reliability Improvements Project, Project Briefing to JPACT |date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205033/http://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/better-red-JPACT-1-18-18.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> To qualify the project for federal funding, TriMet included extending Red Line service farther west to [[Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station|Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station]] in Hillsboro;<ref name="trimet-considering-expansion"/> this extension would use existing Westside MAX tracks and create a one-seat option from 10 additional stations to Portland International Airport. Additionally, TriMet had announced it would procure up to eight new light rail vehicles to accommodate the improvements,<ref name="red-line-imp-fs-mar20"/> but later purchased 30 new trains overall; four were part of ''A Better Red'', while the remaining 26 were replacements for the original MAX fleet, which are gradually being retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/max6/ |title=Meet the New MAX |publisher=TriMet |access-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-date=June 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606163816/https://trimet.org/max6/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Preliminary design work began in February 2018.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://www.parametrix.com/who-we-are/news/2018/02/12/02.12.18-parametrix-to-complete-preliminary-design-for-max-red-line-extension |title=Parametrix to complete preliminary design for MAX Red Line extension |publisher=Parametrix |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913142552/https://www.parametrix.com/who-we-are/news/2018/02/12/02.12.18-parametrix-to-complete-preliminary-design-for-max-red-line-extension |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> TriMet adopted a locally preferred alternative in April 2019,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=TriMet moves forward with plan to extend MAX Red Line into Hillsboro |publisher=[[KPTV]] |date=April 24, 2019 |url=https://www.kptv.com/news/trimet-moves-forward-with-plan-to-extend-max-red-line/article_31d325ec-66dd-11e9-b120-9fe435c6ad2d.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425062828/https://www.kptv.com/news/trimet-moves-forward-with-plan-to-extend-max-red-line/article_31d325ec-66dd-11e9-b120-9fe435c6ad2d.html |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> and the FTA announced $99.99&nbsp;million for the project through the Capital Investment Grants program in May 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corselli |first=Andrew |title=FTA Announces $891MM in Funding |magazine=[[Railway Age]] |date=May 29, 2020 |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/fta-announces-891mm-in-funding/ |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190443/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/fta-announces-891mm-in-funding/ |archive-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/05/29/trimet-gets-100m-from-feds-for-red-line-extension.html |last=Danko |first=Pete |title=TriMet gets $100M from feds for MAX Red Line project |newspaper=Portland Business Journal |date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190834/https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/05/29/trimet-gets-100m-from-feds-for-red-line-extension.html |archive-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref> Final design was completed by engineering firm [[Parametrix (company)|Parametrix]] in early 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corselli |first=Andrew |title=TriMet Selects Parametrix to Finish 'A Better Red' |magazine=Railway Age |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 13, 2020 |url=https://railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-selects-parametrix-to-finish-a-better-red/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310160256/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-selects-parametrix-to-finish-a-better-red/ |archive-date=March 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/design.htm |title=Design – A Better Red |publisher=TriMet |access-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526213644/https://trimet.org/betterred/design.htm |archive-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref> The design includes two new bridges north of Gateway Transit Center to accommodate the second track and a new MAX platform called "[[Gateway North station|Gateway North]]".<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021"/> TriMet broke ground on September 28, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=(VIDEO) FTA, TriMet and partners officially break ground on 'A Better Red' MAX extension and improvement project |date=September 29, 2021 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2021/09/fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607214007/https://news.trimet.org/2021/09/fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From April 2–9, 2022,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/alerts/redline/index.htm |title=A Better Red MAX disruption April 2–9 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405000813/http://trimet.org/alerts/redline/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=TriMet |user=trimet |number=1513172850596724743 |title=MAX Red Line has resumed normal service. Thank you for your patience while we completed this necessary work for the Better Red project. Here are some photos from our work over the past week. |access-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref> Red Line service was suspended to make way for construction, and [[shuttle bus]]es operated between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport.<ref>{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Sam |title=MAX Red Line service halted during weeklong construction |publisher=[[KOIN]] |date=April 1, 2022 |url=https://www.koin.com/news/traffic/max-red-line-service-to-halt-during-weeklong-construction/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403003408/https://www.koin.com/news/traffic/max-red-line-service-to-halt-during-weeklong-construction/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Villanueva |first=Mia |title=Temporary MAX Red Line closure starts Saturday |publisher=KPTV |date=April 1, 2022 |url=https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/01/temporary-max-red-line-closure-starts-saturday/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401203923/https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/01/temporary-max-red-line-closure-starts-saturday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project was completed in March 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Luczak |first=Marybeth |title=TriMet's 'A Better Red' Receiving $99.1MM CIG Grant |magazine=Railway Age |date=September 27, 2021 |url=https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/trimets-a-better-red-receiving-99-1mm-cig-grant/ |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929213423/https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/trimets-a-better-red-receiving-99-1mm-cig-grant/ |archive-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=FTA, TriMet and partners officially break ground on 'A Better Red' MAX extension and improvement project |magazine=Mass Transit |date=September 29, 2021 |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/press-release/21240284/trimet-fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930170321/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/press-release/21240284/trimet-fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project |archive-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

From June 18 to October 21, 2023, TriMet suspended MAX service between Gateway Transit Center and the airport to allow for construction of the second track between the airport and Mount Hood Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stein |first=Rosemarie |title=TriMet shuts down MAX Red Line to PDX for more than 4 months beginning Sunday |date=June 14, 2023 |newspaper=The Oregonian |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/06/trimet-shuts-down-max-red-line-to-pdx-for-more-than-4-months-beginning-sunday.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614170346/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/06/trimet-shuts-down-max-red-line-to-pdx-for-more-than-4-months-beginning-sunday.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Graf |first=Tyler |title=TriMet's A Better Red project requires 126-day shutdown of MAX Red Line starting this weekend |date=June 12, 2023 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2023/06/trimets-a-better-red-project-requires-126-day-shutdown-of-max-red-line-starting-this-weekend/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614164833/https://news.trimet.org/2023/06/trimets-a-better-red-project-requires-126-day-shutdown-of-max-red-line-starting-this-weekend/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From January 14 to March 3, 2024, TriMet suspended MAX Red, Blue and Green Line service between NE 7th and Gateway Transit Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAX Improvements Project |url=https://trimet.org/alerts/2024/index.htm |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=trimet.org |language=en-US |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225092309/https://trimet.org/alerts/2024/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Inbound Red Line trains from PDX began serving Gateway North on March 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLawhorn |first=Jennifer |date=February 16, 2024 |title=TriMet Gateway North MAX Station Opens in March |url=https://www.rtands.com/passenger/trimet-gateway-north-max-station-opens-in-march/ |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Railway Track & Structures |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225092309/https://www.rtands.com/passenger/trimet-gateway-north-max-station-opens-in-march/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These projects eliminated the last bidirectional single-track sections on the MAX system.<ref name="ptj2024-2">{{Cite news |last=McKinney |first=Kevin |date=May 2024 |title=Rush Hour [transit news section] |volume=48 |pages=68–69 |work=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |publisher=White River Productions, Inc. |issue=2 – Second quarter 2024 |issn=0160-6913}}</ref>

The Red Line extension to Hillsboro began service on August 25, 2024, with a soft launch, with the full launch beginning on August 28. Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station was also renamed to [[Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Plante |first1=Amiee |last2=Salk |first2=Ariel |title=Major changes coming to MAX, bus service as TriMet completes Hillsboro Airport expansion |url=https://www.koin.com/news/trimet-max-a-better-red-line-expansion-beaverton-hillsboro-airport/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=[[KOIN]] |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Luisa |title=TriMet's MAX Red Line from PDX airport to Hillsboro officially opens |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-max-red-line-extension-pdx-hillsboro/283-2e35985c-a21b-405f-9198-8068178cc446 |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=[[KGW]] |date=August 28, 2024}}</ref>

==Future plans==
{{see also|TriMet#Future}}

TriMet works with local jurisdictions and agencies to identify and recommend priority transit projects to include in Metro's [[Regional Transportation Plan]] (RTP). The 2018 RTP is Metro's latest iteration, and it lists three funding scenarios that divide the region's proposals into three priority levels. The highest priority projects, which are referred to as "2027 Constrained", are proposals the region expects to have funding for by 2027. The "2040 Constrained" lists projects that fit within the region's planned budget through 2040, while the "2040 Strategic" are projects that may be built if additional funding becomes available.<ref name="2018-rtp-ch-6">{{cite report |title=Public Review Draft, 2018 Regional Transportation Plan, Chapter 6: Regional Programs and Projects to Achieve Our Vision |url=https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2018/06/29/RTP_Ch6_Investment_Prioritiespublicreview.pdf |pages=15, 19 |date=June 29, 2018 |publisher=[[Metro (Oregon regional government)|Metro]] |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423163603/https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2018/06/29/RTP_Ch6_Investment_Prioritiespublicreview.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|5}}

===Current projects===

The 2018 RTP lists the "Southwest Corridor" project which TriMet expects will be funded by 2027.<ref name="2018-rtp-ch-6"/>{{rp|17}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of existing MAX projects
|-
! scope="col" rowspan=2 class=unsortable | Project
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Status
! scope="col" rowspan=2 class=unsortable | Description
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | New<br />stations
! scope="col" colspan=2 | Length
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Construction Begins
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Projected<br />Cost
|-
! scope="col" | (mi)
! scope="col" | (km)
|-
| scope="row" | [[MAX Green Line#Planned Southwest Corridor extension|Southwest Corridor]]<ref name="sw-corridor-factsheet">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/swcorridor/pdf/swc-factsheet.pdf |title=Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project (Factsheet) |publisher=TriMet |access-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722161535/https://trimet.org/swcorridor/pdf/swc-factsheet.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center; | Suspended<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Keaton |title=TriMet puts new light rail line on hold after measure's failure |publisher=[[KATU]] |date=November 10, 2020 |url=https://katu.com/news/following-the-money/trimet-puts-southwest-corridor-light-rail-project-on-hold-after-measures-failure |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113143050/https://katu.com/news/following-the-money/trimet-puts-southwest-corridor-light-rail-project-on-hold-after-measures-failure |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Extends MAX southwest from PSU in downtown Portland to [[Bridgeport Village (Oregon)|Bridgeport Village]] in [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]] via Southwest Portland and [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pitz |first=Ray |title=New details on SW Corridor MAX stations include Bridgeport |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=February 5, 2020 |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/450892-367464-new-details-on-sw-corridor-max-stations-include-bridgeport |access-date=February 14, 2020 |archive-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208175852/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/450892-367464-new-details-on-sw-corridor-max-stations-include-bridgeport |url-status=live }}</ref> It would be served by either the Green Line or the Yellow Line.<ref name="sw-corridor-conceptual-design-2020">{{cite report |title=Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project Conceptual Design Report |date=2020 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=February 5, 2020 |url=https://trimet.org/swcorridor/pdf/conceptual-design-report.pdf |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206000223/https://trimet.org/swcorridor/pdf/conceptual-design-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|191}} Voters rejected Measure 26-218, a tax ballot measure that would have funded the local-area share of the project, on November 3, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--staff writer(s); no by line--> |title=Portland-area voters decline Measure 26-218 |publisher=Metro |date=November 3, 2020 |url=https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/portland-area-voters-decline-measure-26-218 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104053942/https://www.oregonmetro.gov/news/portland-area-voters-decline-measure-26-218 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Theen |first=Andrew |title=Voters reject Metro's payroll tax to fund billions in transportation projects |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 3, 2020 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2020/11/voters-appear-to-reject-metros-payroll-tax-to-fund-billions-in-transportation-projects.html |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126021442/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2020/11/voters-appear-to-reject-metros-payroll-tax-to-fund-billions-in-transportation-projects.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" | 13
| {{convert|11|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| style="text-align:center;" | —
| $2.6–2.8{{nbsp}}billion<ref>{{cite news |last=Mesh |first=Aaron |date=June 13, 2018 |title=The Price Tag on Light Rail to Bridgeport Village Has Grown by Nearly a Billion Dollars |url=http://www.wweek.com/news/2018/06/13/the-price-tag-on-light-rail-to-bridgeport-village-has-grown-by-nearly-a-billion-dollars/ |work=[[Willamette Week]] |access-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021527/http://www.wweek.com/news/2018/06/13/the-price-tag-on-light-rail-to-bridgeport-village-has-grown-by-nearly-a-billion-dollars/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | Downtown Tunnel<ref name="max-tunnel-study-2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2019/10/25/MAX%20Tunnel%20Study%20Findings.pdf |title=The MAX Tunnel Study: Examining the feasibility of faster light rail |publisher=Metro |access-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904165651/https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2019/10/25/MAX%20Tunnel%20Study%20Findings.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | Proposed
| Constructs a tunnel beneath downtown Portland from Goose Hollow to the Lloyd Center.<ref name="max-tunnel-study-2019"/>{{rp|7}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Njus|first1=Elliot|title=City planners float idea of subway tunnel through downtown Portland|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/06/city_floats_subway_tunnel_thro.html|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The Oregonian|date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619081753/http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/06/city_floats_subway_tunnel_thro.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Peel |first=Sophie |title=The Idea for MAX Tunnel Under Downtown Emerged From Examination of How to Fix the Steel Bridge Bottleneck |newspaper=[[Willamette Week]] |date=June 28, 2019 |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/06/28/the-idea-for-max-tunnel-under-downtown-emerged-from-examination-of-how-to-fix-the-steel-bridge-bottleneck/ |access-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629142055/https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/06/28/the-idea-for-max-tunnel-under-downtown-emerged-from-examination-of-how-to-fix-the-steel-bridge-bottleneck/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:right;" | —
| style="text-align:right;" | —
| style="text-align:right;" | —
| style="text-align:center;" | —
| $3–4.5{{nbsp}}billion<ref name="max-tunnel-study-2019"/>{{rp|7}}
|-
|Extension to Vancouver ([[Interstate Bridge Replacement Program|Interstate Bridge Replacement]])
| style="text-align: center;" |In Design
|As part of replacing the [[Interstate Bridge]], the MAX Yellow Line would be extended north from [[Expo Center station|Expo Center]] to Evergreen Boulevard in [[Vancouver, Washington]]. Two other intermediate stations would be constructed at [[Hayden Island, Portland, Oregon|Hayden Island]], and Vancouver Waterfront.
| style="text-align: right;" |3
| style="text-align: right;" |2
| style="text-align: right;" |3
| style="text-align: center;" |2026
|$5–7.5 billion<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2023 |title=Cost Estimate & Financial Plan |url=https://www.interstatebridge.org/media/j3pn0513/ibr-cost-estimate-fact-sheet_04-21-2023_remediated.pdf |publisher=Interstate Bridge Replacement Program}}</ref>
|}


===Other proposals===

TriMet has indicated that other extensions and improvements have been studied or discussed with Metro and cities in the region.<ref name="2018-rtp-ch-6"/>{{rp|17}}<ref name="oreg-2009sep5">{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=Dylan |title=MAX Green Line signals decades of rail growth |date=September 5, 2009 |newspaper=The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/green_line_max_signals_decades.html |access-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193755/http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/green_line_max_signals_decades.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These proposals include the following, with light rail and alternatives being considered:

* Extension to Forest Grove
* [[#South/North plan|Extension to Oregon City via McLoughlin Boulevard]] ([[Oregon Route 99E|OR 99E]])
* Extension to Hillsboro via [[U.S. Route 26 in Oregon|Sunset Highway]] (US 26)
* Supplemental "Teal Line" service from the Airport to Clackamas, avoiding the congested Banfield Line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Louis |title=Exclusive: TriMet Conceptualizes Next 20 Years of Portland Transit Policy |url=https://www.reedquest.org/articles/2025/4/9/8lyovf3let0afgg8lsl372uezb388s |date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>

==Operation==
===Segments===

The MAX rail network is approximately {{convert|60|mi|km}} long. It was built in a series of six projects starting with the {{convert|15.1|mi|km|adj=on}} Banfield—now called Eastside—segment between downtown Portland and Gresham. Each successive project has either been an extension or a [[branch line|branch]] of an existing segment. TriMet has typically paired each project with the opening of a new line, often making the line and segment synonymous (e.g. "Airport MAX Red Line").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/history/maxoverview.htm |title=MAX Light Rail Project History |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502012622/https://trimet.org/history/maxoverview.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=900|frame-height=450|frame-lat=45.516|frame-long=-122.71|zoom=11|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/MAX Light Rail}}|text=A geographic map of the MAX Light Rail network.}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ List of completed MAX projects
|-
! rowspan=2 | No.
! rowspan=2 class=unsortable | Project name
! rowspan=2 | Opened
! rowspan=2 class=unsortable | End points
! colspan=2 | Length (new)
|-
! (mi)
! (km)
|-
| align=center | 1
| [[Banfield Light Rail Project|Banfield]] ([[Eastside MAX|Eastside]])<ref name="max-blue-line-eastside-factsheet-2016"/>
| {{dts|1986|09|05}}
| Downtown Portland–Gresham
| {{convert|15.1|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="MR-1987Nov">{{cite news |last=Shedd |first=Tom |title=MAX: Portland's Light Rail Is an Instant Success |date=November 1987 |magazine=[[Modern Railroads]] |pages=14–15 |publisher=International Thomson Transport Press |location=Chicago, Illinois |issn=0736-2064}}</ref><ref name="TRB-221">{{cite book |title=Special Report 221 – Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr221/221.pdf |publisher=[[Transportation Research Board]] |year=1989 |isbn=0-309-04713-7 |pages=25, 34, 90, 92, 317, 319, 468 |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710103622/http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr221/221.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Michael |title=Popularity of MAX spearheads boost in Tri-Met ridership |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 17, 1986 |page=B4}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 2
| [[Westside MAX|Westside]]<ref name="max-blue-line-westside-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-blueline-westside.pdf |title=Westside MAX Blue Line Extension |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302190959/http://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-blueline-westside.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| {{dts|1998|09|12}}
| Hillsboro–Downtown Portland
| {{convert|17.7|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="LRA-1994">{{cite book |last=Sebree |first=Mac |author-link=Mac Sebree |year= 1994 |chapter=Portland's Westside Tunnel: An LRT Breakthrough |title= 1994 Light Rail Annual & User's Guide |pages=10–14 |location= Pasadena, CA |publisher = [[Pentrex]] |issn= 0160-6913 }}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 3
| [[Airport MAX|Airport]]<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/>
| {{dts|2001|09|10}}
| Portland International Airport–Gateway
| {{convert|5.5|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|66}}
|-
| align=center | 4
| [[Interstate MAX|Interstate]]<ref name="max-yellow-line-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-yellowline.pdf |title=Interstate MAX Yellow Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710102319/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-yellowline.pdf |archive-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref>
| {{dts|2004|05|01}}
| North Portland–[[Steel Bridge]]
| {{convert|5.8|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="max-yellow-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|66}}
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center | 5
| [[I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project|Portland Mall]]<ref name="max-green-line-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-greenline.pdf |title=I-205/Portland Mall MAX Green Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302191021/http://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-greenline.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{dts|2009|08|30}}
| Steel Bridge–PSU
| {{convert|1.8|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="RGI-2007Aug">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |title=Finance [part of monthly news section] |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]]|date=August 2007 |page=470}}</ref><ref name="ptj2010-1"/>
|-
| [[I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project|I-205]]<ref name="max-green-line-factsheet-2016"/>
| {{dts|2009|09|12}}
| Gateway–Clackamas
| {{convert|6.5|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="oreg-2009sep5"/><ref name="RGI-2007Aug"/>
|-
| align=center | 6
| [[Portland–Milwaukie Light Rail Project|Portland–Milwaukie]]<ref name="max-orange-line-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-orangeline.pdf |title=Portland–Milwaukie MAX Orange Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423063026/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-orangeline.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{dts|2015|09|12}}
| Downtown Portland–Oak Grove
| {{convert|7.3|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="max-orange-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|66}}
|-
| align=center | 7
| [[MAX Red Line#Track improvements and extension to Hillsboro|A Better Red]]<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021" />
| {{dts|2024|08|25}}
| Hillsboro–Portland International Airport
| {{convert|0|mi|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021" />
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:right;"| Total
! style="text-align:right;"|59.7
! style="text-align:right;"|96.1<!--Do not use {{convert}}-->
|}

===Lines===

For MAX, a "line" refers to the physical railroad tracks and stations a train serves within its designated [[Rail terminus|termini]], i.e. a train "route" or "service". MAX operates five lines, each assigned a color.<ref name="Rail system map">{{cite map |url=https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/railsystem.pdf |title=Rail System Map with transfers |publisher=TriMet |access-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194620/https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/railsystem.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> TriMet adopted the use of colors to distinguish separately operated routes in 2000 and brought them into use on September 10, 2001, when it opened the Airport MAX extension. On that day, the service running between Hillsboro and Gresham became designated the Blue Line, while that running between downtown Portland and Portland International Airport was designated the Red Line.<ref name="taut-dec2000"/><ref name="airport-max-in-sight">{{cite news |last=Briggs |first=Kara |title=Airport MAX light-rail service in sight |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 29, 2001 |page=C2}}</ref><ref name="selinger-2019"/>{{rp|83}}

Every MAX line [[Through train|interline]]s with at least one other service, particularly as it approaches the system's central area.<ref name="Rail system map"/> The Steel Bridge accommodates the most interline routes with four lines (Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow) utilizing the same tracks.<ref>{{cite report |author=[[CH2M|CH2M HILL, Inc.]] |title=Steel Bridge Transit Improvements: Long-Term Concept Final Report |date=December 8, 2017 |publisher=Metro |page=2-1 |url=https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2019/06/27/SBTI_final_memo_022018.pdf |access-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416204933/https://www.oregonmetro.gov/sites/default/files/2019/06/27/SBTI_final_memo_022018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> TriMet has modified train routes over time, often as part of system expansions. For example, the Yellow Line, which began service in 2004, originally followed the same route into downtown Portland as the Blue and Red lines. It was realigned to the transit mall in 2009 when light rail service was introduced to that corridor.<ref name="ptj2010-1">{{cite journal |last=Morgan |first=Steve |title=Expansion for Portland's MAX: New routes and equipment |journal=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |date=2010 |volume=33 |issue=1 – First quarter 2010 |pages=38–40 |publisher=White River Productions, Inc.}}</ref><ref name="tribune2009-0828"/>

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ List of MAX lines
|-
! scope="col" | Service
! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Stations
! scope="col" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Termini
|-
| scope="row" | {{ric|TriMet|Blue|name=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxblueline.htm |title=MAX Blue Line Map and Sechdule |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216065718/http://trimet.org/schedules/maxblueline.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" | 47
| {{stn|Hatfield Government Center}} ([[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]])
| {{stn|Cleveland Avenue}} ([[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]])
|-
| scope="row" | {{ric|TriMet|Red|name=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm |title=MAX Red Line Map and Sechdule |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216065723/http://trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" | 36
| {{stn|Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds}}
| {{stn|Portland International Airport}}
|-
| scope="row" | {{ric|TriMet|Green|name=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://trimet.org/schedules/maxgreenline.htm |title=MAX Green Line Map and Sechdule |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914113529/http://trimet.org/schedules/maxgreenline.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" | 30
| [[PSU South stations|PSU South]]
| [[Clackamas Town Center Transit Center]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{ric|TriMet|Yellow|name=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxyellowline.htm |title=MAX Yellow Line Map and Sechdule |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 2, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207192704/http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxyellowline.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" | 17
| {{stn|Expo Center}}
| [[PSU South stations|PSU South]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{ric|TriMet|Orange|name=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxorangeline.htm |title=MAX Orange Line Map and Sechdule |publisher=TriMet |access-date=February 18, 2016 |archive-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225164159/http://trimet.org/schedules/maxorangeline.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align="center" | 17
| [[Union Station (TriMet)|Union Station]]
| {{stn|Southeast Park Avenue}} ([[Milwaukie, Oregon|Milwaukie]])
|}

===Right-of-way===
[[File:Portland Transit Mall with cyclists crossing.jpg|thumb|right|Buses traveling on MAX tracks on the Portland Transit Mall]]

MAX operates on a mixture of shared and exclusive transit right-of-way.<ref name="light-rail-technology">{{cite report |author1=Center for Urban Transportation Research. [[University of South Florida]] |author2=[[Transportation Technology Center, Inc.]] |title=Research Report and Findings: Light Rail Technology Scan and Case Studies |publisher=Federal Transit Administration |date=October 2022 |pages=97–112 |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2022-10/FTA-Report-No-0234.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313164949/https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2022-10/FTA-Report-No-0234.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|98}} Within downtown Portland, trains run on surface streets. They operate in dedicated lanes restricted to personal vehicles, and operators abide by the city's traffic control system.<ref name="how-max-moves">{{cite web |url=https://blog.trimet.org/2019/08/07/how-max-moves-downtown/ |last=Earisman |first=Misty |title=How MAX Moves Downtown |date=August 7, 2019 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418000317/https://blog.trimet.org/2019/08/07/how-max-moves-downtown/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="are-cars-allowed">{{cite web |url=https://blog.trimet.org/2020/01/17/ask-trimet-cars-on-max-tracks/ |last=Flynn |first=Alyssa |title=Ask TriMet: Are Cars Allowed on MAX or Streetcar Tracks? |date=Jan 17, 2020 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418000318/https://blog.trimet.org/2020/01/17/ask-trimet-cars-on-max-tracks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the Morrison and Yamhill couplet, MAX travels in the left lanes.<ref name="Conceptual Design banfield">{{cite report |author=Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon |title=Banfield Light Rail Project: Conceptual Design Information for the City of Portland |url=https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=oscdl_trimet |publisher=TriMet Collection |volume=9 |date=November 1, 1981 |access-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928184313/http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=oscdl_trimet |archive-date=September 28, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|10}} On the Portland Transit Mall (5th and 6th couplet), MAX shares dedicated lanes with buses; both vehicle types travel in the center or right lanes and stop at their respective curbside platforms on the right lane.<ref name="power-signals"/> Lanes may be separated by turtleback [[delineator]]s or double-solid white lines,<ref name="light-rail-technology"/>{{rp|106}} and marked with white diamonds or white "T"s.<ref name="are-cars-allowed"/>

Outside of downtown Portland, MAX runs on street medians and viaducts, alongside freeways and freight lines, and underground. Where the tracks run within a street median, intersections are controlled by [[traffic signal]]s that give trains [[traffic signal preemption|preemption]]. Where tracks run on a separate right-of-way, trains are protected by [[Boom barrier|automated grade crossing gates]] when traversing [[level crossing]]s.<ref name="power-signals"/> Some segments of MAX are elevated to carry trains over busy thoroughfares and difficult terrain.<ref name="Don't look up">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Don't look up, but MAX bridge going in over I-205; strict safety measures are in place to protect motorists, and as the span is built, tracks will start going in on Airport Way |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 17, 1999 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name="longest-spans">{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Bill |last2=Leeson |first2=Fred |title=Interstate MAX may cross one of city's longest spans |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 26, 2001 |page=C3}}</ref> A {{Convert|3|mile|km|adj=on|abbr=out|spell=in}} section of tracks runs beneath [[Washington Park (Portland, Oregon)|Washington Park]] in Portland's [[Tualatin Mountains|West Hills]] through the Robertson Tunnel, the system's longest underground segment.<ref name="Board picks tunnel">{{cite news |last=Mayer|first=James |title=Board picks light-rail tunnel |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 13, 1991 |page=1}}</ref>

MAX crosses the Willamette River using the Steel Bridge and Tilikum Crossing. In studies conducted for the Eastside MAX, planners recommended using the Steel Bridge due to its former role as a river crossing for the city's historic streetcars. When MAX commenced service in 1986, trains shared the bridge's center lanes with vehicular traffic.<ref name="Conceptual Design banfield"/>{{rp|26–27}} In 2008, workers closed the bridge's upper deck to construct a junction between the Eastside MAX tracks and the newer Portland Transit Mall tracks. Upon reopening, the two inner lanes became exclusive to MAX trains, while cars, buses, and other motorized traffic were restricted to the two outer lanes.<ref name=trib-2008aug>{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=Steel Bridge reopened with changes |url=http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=73269 |access-date=July 16, 2019 |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=August 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107103941/https://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=73269 |archive-date=November 7, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> TriMet designed and built the newer Tilikum Crossing to accommodate transit vehicles (MAX, streetcar, and buses), cyclists, and pedestrians only; with the exception of [[First responder|emergency responders]], private vehicles are prohibited.<ref name="tilikum-factsheet-june-2014">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/Fact-sheets-timelines/TC_2Page_June2014.pdf |title=Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, brings new connections and new options in 2015 |publisher=TriMet |date=June 2014 |access-date=February 7, 2020 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302213206/http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/Fact-sheets-timelines/TC_2Page_June2014.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tilikum Crossing is thus recognized as the first major "car-free" bridge in the United States.<ref name=Libby2015/>

===Power and signaling===

MAX is powered by a conventional 750-volt [[direct current]] (DC) [[Overhead line|overhead wire]] system. Most of the system uses a dual-wire catenary, with a [[contact wire]] supported by a [[messenger wire]]. In central city areas such as downtown Portland, however, it uses a single contact wire to minimize the amount of overhead wiring. To further minimize visual impact, ornamental [[street light]] poles, buildings, and bridge structures are used to support the wiring. [[Traction substation|Substation]]s, spaced approximately every {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} apart, convert the high-voltage public supply to the voltage power used by trains. The power system can [[bridge]] any one substation so that trains can continue to operate should a substation or its supply go down.<ref name="power-signals"/>

Approximately 70&nbsp;percent of the MAX system uses [[automatic block signaling]] (ABS),<ref name="power-signals"/> which allows for relatively fast operating speeds—up to {{convert|55|mph|kph|}}—and short [[headway]]s.<ref name="max-blue-line-westside-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="going-to-the-max">{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Going to the MAX: Your ticket to light rail |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 5, 1986 |page=T10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Tri-Met stresses safety of light-rail system |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 5, 1986 |page=T7}}</ref> For example, between [[Lloyd Center/Northeast 11th Avenue station]] and Gateway Transit Center along the Banfield Freeway, ABS can accommodate an operating headway of two minutes. Within these sections, [[automatic train stop]]s (ATS) enforce speed limits and automatically apply the [[Railway brake|brake]]s should a train operator fail to do so. The remaining 30&nbsp;percent of the system relies on traffic signals and [[Sightline|line-of-sight]] operation. Speeds do not exceed {{convert|35|mph|kph|abbr=on}} in these sections.<ref name="power-signals"/>

==Maintenance facilities==
[[File:Main building at TriMet's Ruby Junction MAX maintenance facility from south (2016).jpg|thumb|right|The main building at the Ruby Junction maintenance facility]]

TriMet's vehicle-maintenance complexes for the MAX system are the Ruby Junction facility in Gresham and the smaller Elmonica facility in Beaverton.<ref name="oreg-2010aug23">{{cite news |last1=Preusch |first1=Matthew |title=TriMet's Ruby Junction maintenance yard continues to grow with MAX |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2010/04/trimets_ruby_junction_maintena.html |work=The Oregonian |date=April 23, 2010 |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504142830/http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2010/04/trimets_ruby_junction_maintena.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pamplin-ruby-2016">{{cite news |last=Carson |first=Teresa |title=Ruby keeps MAX sparkling |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/go/42-news/316878-195816-ruby-keeps-max-sparkling |access-date=April 23, 2019 |work=[[The Outlook (Gresham)|The Outlook]]<!--(also in the Portland Tribune on August 4, page A11)--> |date=July 29, 2016 |location=Gresham, Oregon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001172242/http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/316878-195816-ruby-keeps-max-sparkling |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Ruby Junction facility is located near [[Ruby Junction/East 197th Avenue station]] while the Elmonica facility is adjacent to [[Elmonica/Southwest 170th Avenue station]]; both are on the Blue Line.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-maintenance.pdf |title=Rail Maintenance Facilities |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055602/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-maintenance.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ruby Junction began with one building that TriMet built as part of the original MAX project in the early 1980s; it had expanded to three multi-story buildings totaling {{convert|143,000|ft2|m2}} occupying {{convert|17|acre|ha}} by 2010,<ref name="oreg-2010aug23"/> and to four buildings totalling {{convert|149,000|ft2|m2}} occupying {{convert|23|acre|ha}} by 2016. It contains 13 maintenance bays and its yard tracks have the capacity to store 87 light rail cars. In 2016, around 200 employees worked at Ruby Junction and almost 200 MAX operators operated trains that were based there. In addition to vehicle maintenance, crews who maintain the MAX system's tracks and signals are also based at Ruby Junction.<ref name="pamplin-ruby-2016"/> In 2015, some [[maintenance-of-way]] personnel moved into the [[Portland Vintage Trolley]] carbarn next to Rose Quarter Transit Center after Vintage Trolley service was discontinued.<ref name=oreg-2013dec6>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=TriMet on verge of sending Portland's vintage holiday trolleys to St. Louis |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2013/12/trimet_on_verge_of_sending_hol.html |access-date=April 23, 2019 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 6, 2013 |archive-date=December 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210113245/http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2013/12/trimet_on_verge_of_sending_hol.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ruby Junction originally housed light-rail operations, communications, and administrative workers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Light-rail complex almost complete: Ruby Junction due to open in July; track work beginning |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 2, 1983 |page=C7}}</ref>

The Elmonica facility was built as part of the Westside MAX Project in the mid-1990s and was completed in 1996. Its building has {{convert|78,000|ft2|m2}} of space.<ref name="oreg-1996jan22">{{cite news |last1=Colby |first1=Richard N. |title=Light-rail milestone: The $16 million Westside MAX maintenance building in Elmonica is dedicated |work=The Oregonian |edition=West Metro |date=January 22, 1996}}</ref>

==Stations==
{{See also|List of MAX Light Rail stations}}
[[File:Gresham City Hall MAX Station (35025384834).jpg|thumb|upright|A shelter at [[Gresham City Hall station]], renovated in 2017]]

MAX consists of 93 stations, of which 47 are served by the Blue Line, 30 by the Green Line, 36 by the Red Line, 17 by the Orange Line, and 17 by the Yellow Line. Furthermore, 46 stations are served by at least two lines and eight stations are served by three lines.<ref name="stations">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-stations.pdf |title=Light Rail Stations |publisher=TriMet |date=August 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302191027/http://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-stations.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The system's central stations, where all MAX services interconnect, border the two [[city block]]s in downtown Portland occupied by the [[Pioneer Courthouse]] and [[Pioneer Courthouse Square]]; they are the [[Pioneer Courthouse/Southwest 6th and Pioneer Place/Southwest 5th stations|Pioneer Courthouse and Pioneer Place stations]]—served by the Green, Orange, and Yellow lines—and the [[Pioneer Square stations (TriMet)|Pioneer Square stations]]—served by the Blue and Red lines.<ref name="Rail system map"/>

MAX stations vary in size but are generally simple and austere. Platforms are about {{convert|200|ft|m}} long as a result of Portland's short city blocks in downtown,<ref name="stations"/> which restrict trains to two-car consists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Running |first=Jim |title=16-block tear-up for light-rail delayed |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 18, 1983 |page=B1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Howell |first=Jim |title=Analyze subway benefits before tearing up transit mall |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 13, 2003 |page=C9}}</ref> Like other North American light rail systems,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |title=Shooting brings attention to light rail's fare inspection force |date=July 8, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/shooting-brings-attention-to-light-railrsquos-fare-inspection-force/ |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028172353/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/shooting-brings-attention-to-light-railrsquos-fare-inspection-force/ |url-status=live }}</ref> MAX stations do not have [[Turnstile|faregate]]s; [[paid area|paid fare zone]]s are delineated but remain accessible to anyone. In 2015, TriMet proposed installing turnstiles at some stations along the Portland–Milwaukie segment but never did so.<ref name="fare-turnstiles">{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=Fare turnstiles coming to Portland-Milwaukie MAX stations |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 20, 2015 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2015/03/trimet_turnstiles_orange_line.html |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105083412/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2015/03/trimet_turnstiles_orange_line.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Stations are typically equipped with trash cans, shelters, and [[ticket vending machine]]s.<ref name="stations"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/CDR/PMLR_CDR_Art_PE_End.pdf |title=Station furnishings, equipment and signage |publisher=TriMet |date=February 2010 |page=89 |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303002432/http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/CDR/PMLR_CDR_Art_PE_End.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Most stations have [[Passenger information system|arrival information display]]s that show when trains arrive and other service information. These displays were first installed at I-205 and Portland Transit Mall stations, and a federal grant in 2013 enabled TriMet to add more at other locations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blevins |first1=Drew |title=We're adding arrival screens at more Blue and Red Line MAX stations |url=http://howweroll.trimet.org/2013/07/23/were-adding-arrival-screens-at-more-blue-and-red-line-max-stations/ |access-date=April 5, 2015 |work=How We Roll |publisher=TriMet |date=July 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411095814/http://howweroll.trimet.org/2013/07/23/were-adding-arrival-screens-at-more-blue-and-red-line-max-stations/ |archive-date=April 11, 2016}}</ref> Concessionaires sometimes open coffee shops at certain stations.<ref name=beaverton-tc>{{cite web |url=http://trimet.org/transitcenters/beaverton.htm |title=Beaverton Transit Center |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418031600/http://trimet.org/transitcenters/beaverton.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/transitcenters/sunset.htm |title=Sunset Transit Center |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823074608/http://trimet.org/transitcenters/sunset.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

A majority of MAX stations are at street level, correlating to the system's predominant alignment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |title=Former SkyTrain manager trying to speed up Portland's street-level LRT |newspaper=[[Daily Hive]] |date=March 16, 2019 |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/portland-max-train-speeds-downtown-stations |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807004428/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/portland-max-train-speeds-downtown-stations |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sunset Transit Center]], {{stn|Southeast Bybee Boulevard}}, and stations along the Banfield Freeway are below street level.<ref name="stations"/><ref name="elevator-improvement">{{cite news |last=Becker |first=Tim |title=TriMet launching multi-year, multi-million dollar elevator improvement program |publisher=TriMet |date=May 1, 2018 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2018/05/trimet-launching-multi-year-multi-million-dollar-elevator-improvement-program/ |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806230626/http://news.trimet.org/2018/05/trimet-launching-multi-year-multi-million-dollar-elevator-improvement-program/ |archive-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> One station, {{stn|Lents Town Center/Southeast Foster Road}}, is elevated.<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lents%2FSE+Foster+Rd+MAX+Station/@45.4804152,-122.5685681,161a,35y,90h,39.48t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x5495a02714f2c0a3:0x59bc42b61380c57d!8m2!3d45.480188!4d-122.5668711 |title=Lents Town Center/SE Foster Road station, 3D satellite view |access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> [[Washington Park station (TriMet)|Washington Park]] is the system's only underground station and holds the distinction as North America's deepest transit station at {{convert|260|ft|m}} below ground.<ref>{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=UPDATE: TriMet to replace elevators at the deepest transit station in North America |publisher=TriMet |date=August 2, 2019 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2019/08/trimet-to-replace-elevators-at-the-deepest-transit-station-in-north-america/ |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806230516/http://news.trimet.org/2019/08/trimet-to-replace-elevators-at-the-deepest-transit-station-in-north-america/ |archive-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n98VCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT57|title=Biking Portland: 55 Rides From the Willamette Valley to Vancouver|first=Owen|last=Wozniak|year=2012|publisher=Mountaineers Books|isbn=9781594856532|page=57}}</ref>

Many MAX stations facilitate transfers to other modes of public transit. 11 stations are [[List of TriMet transit centers|transit centers]] with connections to multiple local and [[Intercity bus service|intercity]] bus routes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/transitcenters/ |title=Transit Centers |publisher=TriMet |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005654/https://trimet.org/transitcenters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beaverton Transit Center is the only MAX-served transit center with a transfer to the region's commuter rail line, [[WES Commuter Rail]], which operates between Beaverton and [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]] in Washington County.<ref>{{cite map |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/img/wes.png |title=WES Commuter Rail |publisher=TriMet |access-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201222833/https://trimet.org/schedules/img/wes.png |url-status=live }}</ref> Within the Portland Transit Mall, trains connect with buses serving downtown Portland; bus stops take up transit mall blocks unoccupied by light rail platforms.<ref name="Transit Mall map">{{cite map |url=https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/citycenter.pdf |title=Portland City Center and Transit Mall |publisher=TriMet |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210193921/https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/citycenter.pdf |archive-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> MAX riders can transfer to the Portland Streetcar at points where MAX and streetcar lines intersect and to [[Amtrak]] via [[Union Station (TriMet)|two stations]] near [[Portland Union Station]].<ref name="portland-streetcar-map">{{cite web |url=https://portlandstreetcar.org/schedules |title=Maps + Schedules - Portland Streetcar |publisher=Portland Streetcar |access-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194359/https://portlandstreetcar.org/schedules |archive-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Transit Mall map"/> The Red Line operates as an [[airport rail link]] with a stop at a [[Portland International Airport station|MAX station]] attached to the main passenger terminal of Portland International Airport.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10579 |title=Stop ID 10579 – Portland Int'l Airport MAX Station |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509053711/http://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10579 |url-status=live }}</ref>

TriMet has built a total of six [[infill station]]s. Four were built on the original Eastside MAX alignment—[[Mall/Southwest 4th Avenue and Mall/Southwest 5th Avenue|Mall/Southwest 4th Avenue]] (1990), Mall/Southwest 5th Avenue (1990),<ref name="oreg-1990mar27">{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=Arriving with a smash [photo and caption only] |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 27, 1990 |quote=A Metropolitan Area Express train breaks through a banner Monday afternoon marking the opening of a new light-rail station in front of Pioneer Place...}}</ref> [[Convention Center station (TriMet)|Convention Center]] (1990),<ref name=oregonian-dedication>{{cite news|last1=Mayer|first1=James|title=Dedication kicks off Convention Center fete|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|date=September 20, 1990|page=A1}}</ref> and {{stn|Civic Drive}} (2010)<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Rose (journalist) |title=TriMet trains start picking up riders at Gresham's Civic Drive Station |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 1, 2010 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2010/12/trimet_trains_start_picking_up.html |access-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012015647/http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2010/12/trimet_trains_start_picking_up.html |url-status=live }}</ref>—while two were built on the Portland Transit Mall—PSU South/Southwest 6th and College (2012) and PSU South/Southwest 5th and Jackson (2012).<ref name="lastpiece"/> On March 1, 2020, TriMet permanently closed the Mall infill stations in an effort to speed up travel times in downtown Portland. The agency also closed [[Kings Hill/Southwest Salmon Street station]] (originally for a trial period, but is now permanent).<ref name="stations-close">{{Cite news|last=Theen|first=Andrew|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2020/02/2-downtown-max-stations-close-permanently-next-week-changes-coming-more-than-a-dozen-trimet-bus-routes.html|title=2 downtown MAX stations close permanently next week; changes coming to more than a dozen TriMet bus routes|date=February 25, 2020|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309011757/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2020/02/2-downtown-max-stations-close-permanently-next-week-changes-coming-more-than-a-dozen-trimet-bus-routes.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="station-closures-2020">{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=TriMet to make MAX service more efficient with closure of three stations in Downtown Portland in March 2020 |publisher=[[TriMet]] |date=July 24, 2019 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2019/07/trimet-to-make-max-service-more-efficient-with-closure-of-three-stations-in-downtown-portland-in-march-2020/ |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724212820/http://news.trimet.org/2019/07/trimet-to-make-max-service-more-efficient-with-closure-of-three-stations-in-downtown-portland-in-march-2020/ |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accessibility===
[[File:Doorway bridgeplate in low-floor LRV.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|alt=refer to caption|An extended doorway [[bridgeplate]] in a low-floor car and tactile paving on the platform]]

Stations built as part of the Banfield Light Rail Project were originally fitted with electric [[wheelchair lift|wayside lift]]s to accommodate riders with [[mobility device]]s on the system's [[high-floor]], first-generation vehicles. Each station had two lifts, one for each direction of travel.<ref name="two-wheelchair-lifts">{{cite news |last=Christ |first=Janet |title=Two wheelchair lifts at every stop allow access for disabled |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 5, 1986 |page=T5}}</ref> The lifts were installed on platforms rather than on trains to prevent malfunctions from delaying service.<ref name="max-blue-line-eastside-factsheet-2016"/> Because of mechanical and operational problems, only a dozen lifts, of the planned total of 54 serving all 25 stations, had been installed by the time of the line's opening and 14 by mid-October; the last was installed in May 1987.<ref name="lift-installation">{{cite news |title=MAX to complete wheelchair lift installation |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=October 17, 1986 |edition=East Metro |page=D9}}</ref><ref name="fete-to-mark-lift">{{cite news |title=Fete to mark MAX lift project, completion of park |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 5, 1987 |page=B7}}</ref> Increased use of the lifts eventually became the cause of delays, and many users felt stigmatized by the lifts' "box" design and time-consuming operation.<ref name="Westside factsheet 2009">{{cite web |title=Westside Light Rail MAX Blue Line extension (fact sheet) |date=November 2009 |publisher=TriMet |url=http://trimet.org/pdfs/history/railfactsheet-westside.pdf |access-date=January 23, 2011 |archive-date=December 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211054609/http://trimet.org/pdfs/history/railfactsheet-westside.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|54}} After the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act]] (ADA) was signed into law, TriMet developed a [[paratransit]] plan in January 1992.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|53}} Just before the start of the Westside MAX Project, MAX became the first light rail system in North America to procure low-floor vehicles after a TriMet study of European systems.<ref name="Westside factsheet 2009"/> The low-floor cars, which TriMet and [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]] jointly developed,<ref name="type-6-order">{{cite news |last=Corselli |first=Andrew |title=Siemens Receives Two LRV Orders |journal=Railway Age |date=July 29, 2019 |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/siemens-receives-two-lrv-orders/ |access-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729184455/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/siemens-receives-two-lrv-orders/ |url-status=live }}</ref> entered service in August 1997.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|54}}

MAX achieved [[accessibility|full accessibility]] in April 1999.<ref name="Selinger"/>{{rp|53}} Ticket vending machines provide information and instructions in audio, [[braille]], and raised lettering. Station platforms also have signs with braille and raised lettering to indicate which lines provide service and where they go. The edge of platforms have [[tactile paving]] to warn riders from standing too close to the edge.<ref name="accessibility-features">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/access/max.htm |title=Accessibility Features on MAX |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808221443/https://trimet.org/access/max.htm |archive-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref> Non-street-level platforms may be accessed with [[elevator]]s.<ref name="elevator-improvement"/> Most light rail cars, with the exception of Type 1, are [[Low-floor tram|low-floor]] and have ramps that extend onto platforms to allow mobility devices to board.<ref name="accessibility-features"/> High-floor Type 1 cars are paired with low-floor Type 2 or 3 cars to maintain accessibility.<ref name="Rail Fleet">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-fleet.pdf |title=TriMet's Rail Vehicle Fleet |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230445/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-fleet.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In each train, an audio system and LED signs announce the name of each upcoming station. All trains have spaces and [[priority seat]]ing areas reserved for seniors and people with disabilities, and [[service animal]]s are permitted on board.<ref name="accessibility-features"/>

In 2011, TriMet began upgrading the oldest sections of MAX to improve pedestrian safety and compliance with updated ADA standards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nunez |first=Jenifer |title=TriMet begins pedestrian safety upgrades along MAX Blue Line |work=RT&S |url=https://www.rtands.com/passenger/rapid-transit-light-rail/trimet-begins-pedestrian-safety-upgrades-along-max-blue-line/ |date=November 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194445/https://www.rtands.com/passenger/rapid-transit-light-rail/trimet-begins-pedestrian-safety-upgrades-along-max-blue-line/ |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref> TriMet installed [[guard rail|pipe barrier]]s at Gateway Transit Center platform crossings to force pedestrians to slow down and face oncoming trains before crossing the tracks and realigned sidewalks and [[pedestrian crossing|crosswalks]] at four at-grade crossings in Gresham. Other improvements made throughout the line include the installation of pedestrian warning signals and tactile paving upgrades.<ref name="Renew the Blue">{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Angela |title=Renew the Blue moving forward along Eastside MAX Blue Line |work=TriMet News |url=http://news.trimet.org/2013/11/renew-the-blue-moving-forward-along-eastside-max-blue-line/ |date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194256/http://news.trimet.org/2013/11/renew-the-blue-moving-forward-along-eastside-max-blue-line/ |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref>

===Parking===
[[File:Oak Grove, Oregon (2019) - 2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|A park and ride with a bike and ride component near [[Southeast Park Avenue station]]]]

Based on a report published in 2019, TriMet provides a total of 12,614 [[park and ride|park-and-ride]] spaces, of which 10,219 directly serve 25 MAX stations. The agency's parking facilities are either [[parking lot|surface lot]]s or [[Multistorey car park|multi-level garage]]s,<ref name="pnr-primer-2019">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/swcorridor/openhouse/parkandride/pdf/ParkandRide-Primer.pdf |title=Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project: A Primer on Station Access and Park & Rides |publisher=TriMet |date=June 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220161037/https://trimet.org/swcorridor/openhouse/parkandride/pdf/ParkandRide-Primer.pdf |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|2–3}} and they are free to use. TriMet allows vehicles to park at most stalls overnight as long as they do not exceed 24&nbsp;hours.<ref name="park-ride-locations">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/parkandride/ |title=Park & Ride Locations |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812152822/https://trimet.org/parkandride/ |archive-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> At some locations, TriMet negotiates with nearby establishments for additional parking spaces.<ref>{{cite news |last=Longeteig |first=Andrew |title=TriMet expands parking options in Milwaukie with new Park & Ride opening Aug. 1 near MAX Orange Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 25, 2016 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2016/07/trimet-expands-parking-options-in-milwaukie-with-new-park-ride-opening-aug-1-near-max-orange-line/ |access-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812152450/http://news.trimet.org/2016/07/trimet-expands-parking-options-in-milwaukie-with-new-park-ride-opening-aug-1-near-max-orange-line/ |archive-date=August 12, 2019}}</ref> Westside MAX stations contain 3,643 parking spaces, the most number of spaces in a corridor.<ref name="pnr-primer-2019"/>{{rp|3}} Clackamas Town Center Transit Center on the I-205 MAX segment includes a 750-space parking garage, the largest capacity of any single MAX station. [[Southeast Holgate Boulevard station]], also on the I-205 MAX, provides the fewest parking spaces with 125 stalls.<ref name="park-ride-locations"/>

In the 2019 report, passengers originating from TriMet park and rides accounted for five percent of TriMet's total weekday ridership. In 2017, the Portland–Milwaukie segment had a 100-percent usage rate of its available spaces while the Westside MAX segment had 85&nbsp;percent. The corridor with the lowest use of available parking spaces was the I-205 MAX at 30&nbsp;percent; TriMet attributes this to factors such as inconvenient lot access and the Green Line's indirect route to downtown Portland compared with the availability of more direct bus routes. The cost-per-space for building park and rides is estimated at $18,000 per surface-lot space and $52,000 per structured space.<ref name="pnr-primer-2019"/>{{rp|3–5}}

TriMet additionally offers four different [[bicycle parking]] options at its MAX stations, although not all options are available at every station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/bikes/ |title=Bikes and TriMet |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813150103/https://trimet.org/bikes/ |archive-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> [[Bike and ride]]s are secure, enclosed spaces that are accessible by [[Keycard lock|keycard]] and are monitored 24&nbsp;hours per day by [[Closed-circuit television|security camera]]s; {{As of|2020|lc=y}} they are available at eight stations.<ref name="bike-and-ride">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/bikes/bikeandride.htm |title=TriMet Bike & Rides |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029182324/https://trimet.org/bikes/bikeandride.htm |archive-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> Electronic [[bicycle locker]]s, or eLockers, are secure lockers that may also be accessed by keycard and are made available on a [[first-come, first-served]] basis. TriMet contracts some keycard access to [[BikeLink]] and uses its [[Hop Fastpass]] on others.<ref name="bike-and-ride"/><ref>{{cite news |last=York |first=Tia |title=Bike-to-ride culture, community pride reflected in dynamic new mural at Orenco Station Bike & Ride |date=August 16, 2017 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2017/08/bike-to-ride-culture-community-pride-reflected-in-dynamic-new-mural-at-orenco-station-bike-ride/ |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813151646/http://news.trimet.org/2017/08/bike-to-ride-culture-community-pride-reflected-in-dynamic-new-mural-at-orenco-station-bike-ride/ |archive-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> Other lockers may be rented by users.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/bikes/lockersavailable.htm |title=Reserved Bike Lockers |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813152206/https://trimet.org/bikes/lockersavailable.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref> [[Bicycle parking rack|Bicycle rack]]s are the most common form of bicycle parking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/bikes/bikeracks.htm |title=Bike Racks |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813152552/https://trimet.org/bikes/bikeracks.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>

==Rolling stock==
{{Main|TriMet rolling stock}}
[[File:Portland MAX train of Type 2 + Type 1 cars at 5th & Mill (2015).jpg|thumb|A MAX train composed of one low-floor car and one high-floor car on the Portland Transit Mall in 2015]]

{{As of|2025|January}}, TriMet operates six models of light rail vehicles designated as "Type 1" through "Type 6",<ref name="Type6-2025">{{Cite news |last=Graf |first=Tyler |date=January 16, 2025 |title=All aboard! First of TriMet's newest MAX trains – 'the Type 6' – start serving riders |url=https://news.trimet.org/2025/01/all-aboard-first-of-trimets-newest-max-trains-the-type-6-start-serving-riders/ |publisher=TriMet |accessdate=January 16, 2025}}</ref> of which two are successive upgrades of the same model. The MAX system's 145 cars vary in length, from {{convert|88|ft|m|1|abbr=out}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Light-rail cars' colors to be 'brightened up' |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 7, 1983 |page=C3}}</ref><ref name="Roomy, good looking">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title='Roomy, good-looking' light-rail cars please Tri-Met official |newspaper=The Sunday Oregonian |date=November 27, 1983 |page=B5}}</ref> to {{convert|95|ft|m|1|abbr=out}}, and are used interchangeably on every line.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/> Downtown Portland's {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on}} downtown blocks allow the operation of only one- or two-car consists to prevent stopped trains from blocking intersections.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/167703 |last=Miskimins |first=Laurie |title=The 200 foot Block: Creating a more walkable Portland |publisher=[[Portland Bureau of Transportation]] |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805164032/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/167703}}</ref><ref name=TNERJ-1995spr>{{cite magazine |last=Wilkins |first=Van |title=Portland's MAX |date=Spring 1995 |issue=27 |magazine=[[The New Electric Railway Journal]] |page=14 |issn=1048-3845}}</ref> Type 2 and 3 low-floor vehicles may run singularly or coupled to another Type 1, 2, or 3 vehicle. Type 1 high-floor vehicles are also capable of running singularly, but doing so would constrain accessibility due to a lack of wheelchair access. Thus, a high-floor car must be coupled with a low-floor car. Type 4 and 5 cars can only be coupled to one another.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/> Type 6 cars can be run as single cars or coupled with other Type 6 cars as a consist.

Twenty-six Type 1 high-floor vehicles were produced for the Banfield light rail project by a [[joint venture]] between [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] and [[La Brugeoise et Nivelles]] beginning in 1983.<ref name="Roomy, good looking"/> TriMet announced it would purchase seven additional vehicles that August,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=Tri-Met plans more cars; $1.5 million savings to be spent |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 11, 1983 |page=B8}}</ref> but a budget shortfall forced the agency to withdraw this proposal the following November.<ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Tri-Met abandons plans to buy more rail cars |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 4, 1983 |page=C6}}</ref> The cars are similar in design to Bombardier vehicles that had been used in [[Rio de Janeiro]].<ref name="Roomy, good looking"/> Bombardier built the frames in [[Quebec]] but its factory in [[Barre (town), Vermont|Barre, Vermont]], manufactured the majority of each car,<ref name="foreign-expertise">{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Banfield officials cite foreign expertise in light-rail contracts |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 12, 1982 |page=B7}}</ref> the first of which arrived in Portland in 1984.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=First car for light rail delivered |date=April 11, 1984 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=C4}}</ref> Each {{convert|45|ST|t|adj=on}} car is single-articulated and contains six axles.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=First car for light-rail on way |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 29, 1984 |page=B2}}</ref> The high floors connect with the low platforms through interior steps, which necessitated platform wheelchair lifts until the arrival of low-floor cars.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/> A car sits 76 people and has an overall capacity of 166.<ref name="Roomy, good looking"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Stan |title=Riding the light rails |newspaper=The Sunday Oregonian |date=February 12, 1984 |page=C6}}</ref>

In 1992, TriMet officials conducted an accessibility study and determined that low-floor cars were the most cost-effective alternative to providing universal access.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/> MAX then became the first light rail system in North America to acquire low-floor train sets when TriMet procured 39 model [[Siemens SD660|SD660]] cars from Siemens in 1993.<ref name="37low-floor">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |date=April 15, 1993 |title=Tri-Met prepares to purchase 37 low-floor light-rail cars |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D4}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=July 1993 |title=Tri-Met goes low-floor: Portland's Tri-Met has broken new ground with a procurement of low-floor light rail vehicles. The cars will be North America's first low-floor LRVs. |magazine=[[Railway Age]] |pages=49–51 |issn=0033-8826}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 1993 |title=LA And Portland Get New-Design LRVs |journal=[[International Railway Journal]] |pages=26–27 |issn=0744-5326}}</ref> These Type 2 cars were equipped with doorway wheelchair ramps.<ref name="railway-age-2016">{{cite news |last1=Vantuono |first1=William C. |title=Retractable bridge plates a first for Brightline |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/retractable-bridge-plates-a-first-for-brightline/ |access-date=July 9, 2018 |magazine=[[Railway Age]] |date=February 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710020032/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/retractable-bridge-plates-a-first-for-brightline/ |archive-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> They entered service during the partial opening of the Westside MAX in 1997.<ref name="smooth">{{cite news |last=O'Keefe |first=Mark |date=September 1, 1997 |title=New MAX cars smooth the way for wheelchairs |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=B12}}</ref> By 2000, TriMet had ordered 17 more Type 2 cars including six for the Airport MAX project.<ref name="Take Shape"/><ref name="Rail Fleet"/> The system's 27 Type 3 vehicles, which the agency purchased as part of the Interstate MAX project and first brought into use in 2003, are the same model as the Type 2 vehicles but with technical upgrades and a new livery.<ref name="Rail Fleet"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=Hyphen and '70s hues left by the wayside |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 14, 2002 |page=C1}}</ref>

Twenty-two [[Siemens S700 and S70|Siemens S70]] low-floor cars, which were designated Type 4, were purchased in conjunction with the I-205 MAX and Portland Transit Mall projects, and were first used in 2009. Type 4 cars have a more streamlined design and more seating, and are lighter and more energy-efficient than the previous models. The Type 4 cars were the first in the MAX network to use [[LED display|LED-type]] [[destination sign]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=TriMet puts new light-rail cars on track |newspaper=Portland Tribune |date=August 6, 2009 |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=124959768388491400 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831121611/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=124959768388491400 |archive-date=August 31, 2009 |access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> The second series of S70 cars, TriMet's Type 5 vehicles, were procured for the Portland–Milwaukie light rail project. TriMet placed an order for the Type 5 cars with Siemens in 2012 and delivery commenced in 2014.<ref name=taut-2015jul>''[[Tramways & Urban Transit]]'' magazine, July 2015, p. 289. UK: LRTA Publishing. ISSN 1460-8324.</ref> These vehicles include some improvements over the Type 4 cars, including less-cramped interior seating, and improvements to the air-conditioning system and wheelchair ramps.<ref name=cramped>{{cite news|last=Rose|first=Joseph|title=TriMet asks cramped MAX riders to help design next-generation train's seating|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=July 31, 2012|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/07/trimet_asks_cramped_max_riders.html|access-date=September 4, 2012|archive-date=August 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804002951/http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/07/trimet_asks_cramped_max_riders.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="type5">{{cite web|title=PMLR Type 5 LRV Fact Sheet|url=http://trimet.org/pdfs/max/Type5_LRVs.pdf|publisher=TriMet|access-date=May 17, 2015|date=March 2015|archive-date=May 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503093823/http://trimet.org/pdfs/max/Type5_LRVs.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> These introduced a new seating layout in the center section, among other changes, and Siemens later retroactively redesignated TriMet's Type 5 cars as model S700.<ref name="taut-2020sep">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Siemens rebadges North American low-floor cars |date=September 2020 |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |page=336 |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. |location=UK |number=993 |issn=1460-8324 }}</ref>

In July 2019, TriMet placed an order for 26 [[Siemens S700 and S70|Siemens S700]] light rail vehicles that are intended to replace the system's Type 1 vehicles.<ref name="type-6-order"/> The order was expanded to 30 cars in June 2021.<ref name="TAUT-2021aug">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |date=August 2021 |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |page=350 |location=UK |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd|issn=1460-8324}}</ref> The first car was delivered in December 2022, and the type is designated Type 6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the New MAX |url=https://trimet.org/max6/index.htm |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=trimet.org |language=en-US |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227054450/https://trimet.org/max6/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Type 6 arrives">{{cite web |title=The first Type 6 rail vehicle arrives |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-GOczw8evs |publisher=TriMet |via=YouTube |access-date=2024-12-02 |date=December 19, 2022 |quote=We welcomed the first 'Type 6' MAX light rail vehicle into our Ruby Junction rail facility in mid-December, 2022. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524125932/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-GOczw8evs |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2025, Type 6 vehicles began entering service, with vehicles 603 and 605 being the first two cars to enter revenue service.<ref name="Type6-2025"/>

==Services==

From Monday to Thursday, MAX trains run for 22{{frac|1|2}} hours per day. Additional late-night trips are provided on Fridays. Except for additional late-night trips on Saturdays, weekend service runs on a slightly reduced schedule.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/max/index.htm#lines |title=MAX Lines & Schedules |publisher=TriMet |access-date=March 5, 2020 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222120957/http://trimet.org/max/index.htm#lines |url-status=live }}</ref> TriMet designates all MAX lines as "Frequent Service" routes, which ensures service runs on a 15-minute headway for most of each day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/frequentservice.pdf |title=Frequent Service |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013853/http://trimet.org/maps/pdf/frequentservice.pdf |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the early morning and late evening hours, trains operate with headways of up to 30{{nbsp}}minutes. During [[rush hour]]s, headways can be as short as three minutes, particularly in the central section of the system where lines overlap.<ref name="power-signals"/> At many stations, a live display shows the destination and time-to-arrival of the next several trains using data gathered by a [[vehicle tracking system]] installed on the light rail tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/tools/transittracker.htm |title=TransitTracker |publisher=TriMet |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302173524/https://trimet.org/tools/transittracker.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ridership===
{| class="wikitable sortable" align="right" style="border-spacing: 1px; text-align:center; margin-left:1em;"
|-
|+ Annual MAX boardings
|- 
! style="border-bottom:1px solid black"| Fiscal year !! style="border-bottom:1px solid black"| Ridership !!style="border-bottom:1px solid black"|  {{abbr|%±|Percent change}}
|-
|1987<ref>{{cite conference |url=https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr221/221.pdf |title=Lessons Learned from New LRT Start-Ups: The Portland Experience |last=Gerhart |first=Richard L. |year=1988 |publication-date=1989 |publication-place=Washington, D.C. |publisher=[[Transportation Research Board]] |book-title=Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices |page=325 |conference=National Conference on Light Rail Transit |access-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005210032/https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr221/221.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{formatnum:7200000}}
|{{nbsp}}—
|- 
|2000
|{{formatnum:21165600}}
|{{change|7200000|21165600|disp=out|dec=1}}
|- 
|2005
|{{formatnum:31920000}}
|{{change|21165600|31920000|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2010
|{{formatnum:38390400}}
|{{change|31920000|38390400|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2015
|{{formatnum:37746000}}
|{{change|38390400|37746000|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2016
|{{formatnum:40019560}}
|{{change|37746000|40019560|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2017
|{{formatnum:39699760}}
|{{change|40019560|39699760|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2018
|{{formatnum:38906694}}
|{{change|39699760|38906694|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2019
|{{formatnum:38817600}}
|{{change|38906694|38817600|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2020
|{{formatnum:30780230}}
|{{change|38906694|30780230|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2021
|{{formatnum:14798155}}
|{{change|30780230|14798155|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2022
|{{formatnum:18647585}}
|{{change|14798155|18647585|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2023 
|{{formatnum:21899720}}
|{{change|18647585|21899720|disp=out|dec=1}}
|-
|2024
|{{formatnum:24069880}}
|{{change|21899720|24069880|disp=out|dec=1}}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="3" style="border-top:1px solid black; font-size:85%; text-align:left" |Source: TriMet<ref name="trimet-ridership">{{cite web |title=TriMet Service and Ridership Information |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/trimetridership.pdf?v=0225 |publisher=TriMet |date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422144253/https://trimet.org/about/pdf/trimetridership.pdf?v=0225 |archive-date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>
|}

MAX carried over 38.8{{nbsp}}million total passengers in 2019, an average of 120,900 riders per day on weekdays. This is slightly lower than the number of riders recorded in 2018 and represents the system's third consecutive year of fallen ridership. MAX ridership peaked in 2012, when the system recorded around 42.2{{nbsp}}million annual passengers. 2016 marks the last year ridership increased; this was due to the opening of the Orange Line.<ref name="trimet-ridership"/> TriMet attributes falling ridership to perceived crime within trains and stations and lower-income riders being forced out of the inner city by rising housing prices.<ref name="Safe">{{cite news |last=Keizur |first=Christopher |title=Safe travels? |newspaper=Portland Tribune |url=https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/362854-242841-safe-travels |date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050017/https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/362854-242841-safe-travels |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zielinski |first=Alex |title=You Know Portland's Transportation Woes Have Reached a Breaking Point When... |work=[[Portland Mercury]] |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/05/18/19925551/you-know-portlands-transportation-woes-have-reached-a-breaking-point-when |date=May 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804045911/https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/05/18/19925551/you-know-portlands-transportation-woes-have-reached-a-breaking-point-when |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref> In 2019 (prior to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]), MAX was the [[List of United States light rail systems by ridership|fourth-busiest light rail system]] in the United States after the light rail services of [[Los Angeles Metro Rail|Metro Rail]] in [[Los Angeles]], the [[MBTA subway|MBTA]] in [[Boston]], and [[Muni Metro]] in San Francisco.<ref name="APTA-2018-Q4">{{cite web |url=https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-Q4-Ridership-APTA.pdf |title=Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2018 |publisher=[[American Public Transportation Association]] |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508212304/https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-Q4-Ridership-APTA.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Fares===
{{See also|Hop Fastpass|TriMet#Fares}}
[[File:TriMet ticket vending machine on SW 5th Avenue, May 2025.jpg|thumb|right|A TriMet ticket vending machine, introduced in 2025, seen at [[Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th and Pioneer Place/SW 5th stations|Pioneer Place/SW 5th station]]]]
[[File:Hop Fastpass reader at Orenco MAX station (2017).jpg|thumb|right|upright|A Hop Fastpass card and ticket reader at a MAX station]]

As is standard practice on North American light rail systems,<ref name="TRB-off-board-fare-2013">{{cite web |author1=Larwin, Thomas F. |author2=Koprowski, Yung |title=Off-Board Fare Payment Using Proof-of-Payment Verification |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/1291220 |publisher=[[Transportation Research Board]] |access-date=November 26, 2018 |date=November 2013 |quote=Since the late 1970s POP verification has become the standard fare collection technique employed by all modern light rail transit systems in North America. |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126135250/https://trid.trb.org/view/1291220 |url-status=live }}</ref> MAX uses [[proof-of-payment]] for fare collection, and stations do not have ticket barriers.<ref name="fare-turnstiles"/> TriMet employs an [[automated fare collection]] system through a [[stored-value card|stored-value]], [[contactless smart card]] called Hop Fastpass,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=NXP helps the Portland-Vancouver Metro region move intelligence to the cloud with the new Hop Fastpass™ Transit Card used on Buses, the Light Rail and Streetcars |url=https://www.mifare.net/nxp-helps-the-portland-vancouver-metro-region-move-intelligence-to-the-cloud-with-the-new-hop-fastpass-transit-card-used-on-buses-the-light-rail-and-streetcars/ |work=NXP Blog |date=October 9, 2017 |access-date=July 31, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> which can be purchased from the TriMet ticket office or participating retail outlets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://myhopcard.com/home/get-card |title=Where to Get and Reload a Hop Card |publisher=TriMet |access-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130165032/https://myhopcard.com/home/get-card |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rollout Continues">{{cite web |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=Major retailers continue selling paper tickets as Hop Fastpass™ rollout continues |url=http://news.trimet.org/2018/02/major-retailers-continue-selling-paper-tickets-as-hop-fastpass-rollout-continues/ |work=TriMet News |date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071507/http://news.trimet.org/2018/02/major-retailers-continue-selling-paper-tickets-as-hop-fastpass-rollout-continues/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Smartphone]] users may download a [[digital card|virtual version]] of Hop Fastpass,<ref>{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=Portland's Virtual Hop Fastpass™ transit card now available to all Google Pay users |url=http://news.trimet.org/2018/04/portlands-virtual-hop-fastpass-transit-card-now-available-to-all-google-pay-users/ |work=TriMet News |date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809021735/http://news.trimet.org/2018/04/portlands-virtual-hop-fastpass-transit-card-now-available-to-all-google-pay-users/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Romero |first=Morgan |title=TriMet adds Hop Fastpass to Apple Wallet as paper tickets are phased out |publisher=[[KGW]] |date=April 5, 2019 |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-adds-hop-fastpass-to-apple-wallet-as-paper-tickets-are-phased-out/283-38e7279c-11ea-481d-ab75-3b2084bdfc4c |access-date=August 1, 2019 |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801145017/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-adds-hop-fastpass-to-apple-wallet-as-paper-tickets-are-phased-out/283-38e7279c-11ea-481d-ab75-3b2084bdfc4c |url-status=live }}</ref> while single-use Hop Fastpass tickets are dispensed by ticket vending machines at every MAX station.<ref>{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=Hop Fastpass™ fare system takes more leaps forward with ticket machine, retail store transitions |url=http://news.trimet.org/2018/05/hop-fastpass-fare-system-takes-more-leaps-forward-with-ticket-machine-retail-store-transitions/ |work=TriMet News |date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071702/http://news.trimet.org/2018/05/hop-fastpass-fare-system-takes-more-leaps-forward-with-ticket-machine-retail-store-transitions/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ticket-machines">{{cite web |title=Ticket Machines |url=https://trimet.org/fares/ticketmachines.htm |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133615/https://trimet.org/fares/ticketmachines.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Smartphones with a debit or credit card loaded into [[Google Pay (payment method)|Google Pay]], [[Samsung Pay]], or [[Apple Pay]], and Portland Streetcar 2{{frac|1|2}}-hour tickets and one-day passes can also be used to board MAX.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lum |first=Brian |title=You Can Now Use Hop With Just Your Phone |work=How We Roll, TriMet |url=http://howweroll.trimet.org/2017/08/22/you-can-now-use-hop-with-just-your-phone/ |date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802101749/http://howweroll.trimet.org/2017/08/22/you-can-now-use-hop-with-just-your-phone/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="streetcar fares">{{cite web|title=Fare Info: How to Purchase Fares|url=https://portlandstreetcar.org/fares/purchasing-tickets|publisher=Portland Streetcar Inc.|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311064824/https://portlandstreetcar.org/fares/purchasing-tickets|url-status=live}}</ref> Riders must tap their fare medium onto a [[card reader]] with each boarding.<ref>{{cite news |last=York |first=Tia |title=Tapping 101: TriMet coaches riders on using Hop Fastpass® |date=October 10, 2019 |work=TriMet News |url=https://news.trimet.org/2019/10/tapping-101-trimet-coaches-riders-on-using-hop-fastpass/ |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229210453/https://news.trimet.org/2019/10/tapping-101-trimet-coaches-riders-on-using-hop-fastpass/ |archive-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref> Fares are flat rate and are capped according to use.<ref>{{cite web |last=Njus |first=Elliot |title=Hop Fastpass: The pros and cons of TriMet's new e-fare system |work=The Oregonian |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/07/hop_fastpass_reflections_after.html |date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071545/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2017/07/hop_fastpass_reflections_after.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Using Hop Fastpass, riders may transfer to the Portland Streetcar and other TriMet and [[C-Tran (Washington)|C-Tran]] services.<ref name="hop-fares">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/hop/fares.htm |title=Hop fares |work=TriMet |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809031745/http://trimet.org/hop/fares.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2025, TriMet replaced all of its ticket vending machines with new machines that dispense only Hop cards at all of its stations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graf |first=Tyler |title=TriMet to launch new vending machines to improve access to Hop Fastpass fare cards |date=November 20, 2024 |url=https://news.trimet.org/2024/11/trimet-to-launch-new-vending-machines-to-improve-access-to-hop-fastpass-fare-cards/ |access-date=May 24, 2025}}</ref>

===Late-night bus service===

On August 25, 2024, TriMet introduced four new bus routes to replace late-night MAX services, to expand the length of time available each night for routine overnight maintenance. The new routes replace the last one or two MAX trips of the night on the Blue (two bus routes), Red, and Yellow Lines, but not the Green Line.<ref name="oreg-2024aug26">{{cite news |last1=Kish |first1=Matthew |title=TriMet announces sweeping changes to light rail, bus service |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2024/08/trimet-announces-sweeping-changes-to-light-rail-bus-service.html |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=[[The Oregonian]] |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterbus/servicechanges-fy25august.htm |title=August '24 Transit Service Changes |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828154041/https://trimet.org/betterbus/servicechanges-fy25august.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Plante |first1=Aimee |last2=Salk |first2=Ariel |title=Major changes coming to MAX, bus service as TriMet completes Hillsboro Airport expansion |date=August 26, 2024 |publisher=[[KOIN]] |url=https://www.koin.com/news/trimet-max-a-better-red-line-expansion-beaverton-hillsboro-airport/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827082406/https://www.koin.com/news/trimet-max-a-better-red-line-expansion-beaverton-hillsboro-airport/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This practice had already been in effect on the Orange Line since its opening in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/r291.htm |title=291–Orange Night Bus |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 2, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105083405/https://trimet.org/schedules/r291.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://trimet.org/alerts/service-change/2015fall/index.htm |title=Fall 2015 Service Improvements |publisher=TriMet |date=August 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2024 |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920034956/http://trimet.org/alerts/service-change/2015fall/index.htm#line291 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Discontinued services===
{{Main|Fareless Square|Portland Vintage Trolley}}

From the MAX system's opening until 2012, riding trains within [[Fareless Square]], which was known as the Free Rail Zone from 2010 to 2012, was free of charge. Fareless Square included all of downtown and, starting in 2001, part of the [[Lloyd District, Portland, Oregon|Lloyd District]]. The 37-year-old fare-free zone was discontinued on September 1, 2012, as part of system-wide cost-cutting measures. As part of the same budget cuts, TriMet discontinued its zonal fares and moved to a flat-fare system. Zones had been in place since 1986; higher fares were charged for longer journeys across four paid zones.<ref name=oreg-2012aug31/><ref name="going-to-the-max"/>

The MAX Mall Shuttle operated on weekday afternoons from when it was introduced on September 14, 2009, until 2011.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 17, 2009|title=MAX Light Rail Service Begins on the Portland Mall|publisher=City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement|url=http://gettingaroundportland.org/ONI/index.cfm?c=29385&a=259162|access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> It acted as a supplement to the light rail service provided on the Portland Transit Mall by the Green and Yellow lines.<ref name="mall stops">{{cite web|title=Portland Transit Mall Bus Stops and MAX Stations from Union Station to PSU|year=2009|publisher=TriMet|url=https://trimet.org/portlandmall/stopsandstations.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613002419/http://trimet.org/portlandmall/stopsandstations.htm|archive-date=June 13, 2010|access-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> The Mall Shuttle operated between Union Station and [[Portland State University]] every 30 minutes from noon until 5:30{{nbsp}}p.m.<ref name="mall stops"/> TriMet discontinued this supplementary shuttle service on June 5, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=TriMet will make several seasonal bus line adjustments Sunday |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 3, 2011 |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/06/trimet_will_make_several_seaso.html |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007082437/http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/06/trimet_will_make_several_seaso.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=maxmallshuttle2011>{{cite web|title=MAX Mall Shuttle |year=2011 |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/mallshuttle.htm |publisher=TriMet |access-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513094806/http://trimet.org/schedules/mallshuttle.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2014 }}</ref> Along with bus services, the mall continues to be served by two MAX lines in each direction—Green and Yellow lines northbound and Green and Orange lines southbound—which provide a combined average headway of 7.5 minutes in each direction at most times.

The [[Portland Vintage Trolley]] operated on the MAX system on most weekends from 1991 until 2014, serving the same stops. This service used 1991-built replicas of 1904 Portland streetcars. Originally, the Vintage Trolley service followed a section of the original MAX line between the Library and Galleria stations and [[Lloyd Center]]. In September 2009, the service moved to the newly opened MAX alignment along the transit mall, running between Union Station to Portland State University,<ref name="ptj2010-1"/><ref name="VTsched2012">{{cite web |title=Vintage Trolley 2012 Schedule on the Portland Mall |publisher=Portland Vintage Trolley website |url=http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201170503/http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=February 6, 2014}}</ref> and remained on this route in subsequent seasons. In 2011, the service was reduced to seven or eight Sundays per year,<ref name="taut-apr2011">''[[Tramways & Urban Transit]]'', April 2011, p. 152.  LRTA Publishing Ltd.</ref> and in July 2014 it was discontinued entirely and the two remaining faux-vintage cars were sold to a group planning [[Delmar Loop Trolley|a streetcar line]] in [[St. Louis]].<ref name="vt-ceased">{{cite web|title=Vintage Trolley Has Ceased Operation|url=http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html|publisher=Portland Vintage Trolley website|access-date=January 2, 2015|date=September 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201170503/http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="taut-nov2014">{{cite news|title=Portland double-track is brought into use|work=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]]|publisher=LRTA Publishing|date=November 2014|page=454}}</ref>

==Safety==
{{see also|TriMet#Safety}}

TriMet employs a [[transit police]] division to patrol MAX and other TriMet property. Most of its officers serve with local [[law enforcement agency|law enforcement agencies]] and are assigned terms with the transit police; this partnership with local police enables the closest available unit to respond to incidents. TriMet also partners with the [[Transportation Security Administration]], which provides a [[police dog|canine unit]]. Riders are encouraged to alert TriMet employees using on-board [[intercom]]s or to dial [[9-1-1]] upon witnessing a crime or suspicious activity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/pdfs/publications/security.pdf |title=Keeping You Safe |publisher=TriMet |date=April 2017 |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034638/https://trimet.org/pdfs/publications/security.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> TriMet operates over 4,000 security cameras; all MAX trains and stations became fully equipped with cameras in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=10 things to know about TriMet's latest security-camera upgrade at MAX stations (video) |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=April 2014 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2014/04/10_things_to_know_about_trimet.html |access-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103235233/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2014/04/10_things_to_know_about_trimet.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2017 train stabbing incident===
{{Main|2017 Portland train attack}}

On May 26, 2017, at approximately 4:30{{nbsp}}pm, a man fatally stabbed two people and injured a third after he was confronted for shouting anti-Muslim slurs at two teenage girls inside a MAX train.<ref name="Bernstein">{{cite news |first=Maxine |last=Bernstein |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/max_heros_last_words_tell_ever.html#incart_big-photo |newspaper=The Oregonian |title=Portland MAX hero's last words: 'Tell everyone on this train I love them' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530001946/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/max_heros_last_words_tell_ever.html |date=May 29, 2017 |archive-date=May 30, 2017}}</ref> Two men—a technician and [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] veteran, and a recent university graduate—died from wounds to their necks while a third male victim survived.<ref name="UnfoldedQuickly">{{cite news |first=Maxine |last=Bernstein |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/horrific_scene_unfolds_on_max.html |title=MAX attack unfolded quickly: Extremist cut three in neck, police say |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528083058/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/horrific_scene_unfolds_on_max.html |archive-date=May 28, 2017 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> The attacker, who described himself as a [[White nationalism|white nationalist]],<ref name="Frankel">{{cite news |first=Todd C. |last=Frankel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/05/27/suspected-attacker-jeremy-joseph-christian-stood-out-amid-rising-tensions-in-portland/ |title=Suspected attacker Jeremy Joseph Christian stood out amid rising tensions in Portland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529094518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/05/27/suspected-attacker-jeremy-joseph-christian-stood-out-amid-rising-tensions-in-portland/ |archive-date=May 29, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and other crimes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Maxine |last=Bernstein |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/06/indictment_returned_against_ac.html |title=Indictment returned against accused MAX attack killer Jeremy Christian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606224600/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/06/indictment_returned_against_ac.html |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 7, 2017}}</ref> On February 21, 2020, the perpetrator was found guilty on all charges, including two counts of [[first-degree murder]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mimica |first1=Mila |last2=Vespa |first2=Maggie |authorlink2=Maggie Vespa |title=Jeremy Christian found guilty on all counts in MAX stabbing attack |publisher=KGW |date=February 21, 2020 |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-attack/jeremy-christian-verdict/283-c99bdde8-7754-44e5-ae48-15a73b052f65 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222081703/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-attack/jeremy-christian-verdict/283-c99bdde8-7754-44e5-ae48-15a73b052f65 |url-status=live }}</ref> This resulted in a mural being painted on the station entrance of the Hollywood Transit Center, where the stabbing occurred.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Year After Portland MAX Stabbing, A Mural To Remember And Grieve |url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-train-attack-anniversary-mural-trial-jeremy-christian/ |website=opb |language=en |access-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828154012/https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-train-attack-anniversary-mural-trial-jeremy-christian/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2023 Portland Streetcar collision===

On November 15, 2023, shortly after 10:00am, a MAX train collided with a Portland Streetcar in the [[Lloyd District, Portland, Oregon|Lloyd District]] and injured two people on board.<ref>{{cite news |last=De Dios |first=Austin |title=MAX train collides with Portland Streetcar |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 15, 2023 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/11/max-train-collides-with-portland-streetcar.html |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115222405/https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/11/max-train-collides-with-portland-streetcar.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Allison |first=Megan |title=TriMet MAX train derails near Lloyd Center in crash with Portland Streetcar |publisher=KATU |date=November 15, 2023 |url=https://katu.com/news/local/trimet-max-train-derails-near-lloyd-center-driver-pinned-in-says-pfr |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115223800/https://katu.com/news/local/trimet-max-train-derails-near-lloyd-center-driver-pinned-in-says-pfr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)--> |title=TriMet Max train, streetcar collide in Portland, injuring two |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |date=November 15, 2023 |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/11/15/portland-trimet-max-train-streetcar-collide-injuring-two/ |access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of rail transit systems in the United States]]
*[[Transportation in Portland, Oregon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|MAX light rail}}
* {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/max/index.htm |title=MAX Light Rail |publisher=[[TriMet]]}}

{{Portland Transit}}
{{USLightRail}}
{{portal bar|Oregon|Pacific Northwest|Trains}}

[[Category:MAX Light Rail| ]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:750 V DC railway electrification]]
[[Category:825 V DC railway electrification]]
[[Category:Electric railways in Oregon]]
[[Category:Light rail in Oregon]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Oregon]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1986]]
[[Category:Transportation in Hillsboro, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Multnomah County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Washington County, Oregon]]
[[Category:TriMet]]