Coming Soon: Buy and Reload Your Hop Card at MAX Stations
Starting in early December 2024, we’re beginning to roll out a new type of vending machine at MAX stations. The transit fare card machines will make it more convenient for riders to buy and reload Hop cards — by making them available right at your station.
The new Hop card machines let you buy and reload Hop cards with cash or a credit/debit card directly at MAX stations instead of going to a Hop card retailer. The machines will sell cards that can be used for Adult, Honored Citizen or Youth fares.
This will make it easier to get a Hop card, particularly those using our reduced Youth fare or our reduced Honored Citizen fare if you’re 65+ or on Medicare. Note: If you’re using Adult fares, you can pay instantly by tapping the Hop reader with your phone or contactless credit card – no Hop card needed.
We’re installing machines at five locations first, but we will begin replacing all MAX ticket machines with the new Hop transit fare card machines in February across our service area at MAX and WES stations and transit centers. The new machines will be more reliable for riders and more efficient for us to maintain. Day passes and 2½-hour paper tickets will not be sold at the new machines.
Where to find the new machines
The rollout will start with new machines at five locations:
- Beaverton Transit Center
- Gateway Transit Center
- Portland International Airport MAX Station
- Rose Quarter Transit Center
- Willow Creek Transit Center
Using the machines
Buying Hop cards or reloading them will be quick and easy. Here’s how to use the new machines:
- Tap the screen to start.
- Choose to buy a new card or reload an existing one.
- For reloading, tap your card on the reader below the screen.
- Select your desired load amount, then pay.
- Collect your card and receipt if wanted – you’re ready to ride.
Remember to tap the Hop reader on the MAX platform or inside the bus each time you board! Your tap is your proof of payment.
Machine features
We designed the machines to be convenient and accessible.
- Go Paper-Free: Purchase a $3 Hop card or reload your existing card with a $1.40 minimum load.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy navigation with touch screen menus.
- Payment Options: Pay using cash, card or contactless methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
- Multiple-Language Support: Choose from Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian or Simplified Chinese.
- Improved Accessibility: Audio instructions, Braille and raised-letter features for riders with vision impairments.
- Fare Options: Adult, Honored Citizen or Youth.
Support during testing
TriMet Customer Service staff will be on hand to help riders and answer questions during the installation and testing period. Please note, for brief periods of time while the new machines are being installed, there may be only one working ticket machine at the MAX station.
Honored Citizen Fare: Save up to 72%
Honored Citizen is our reduced fare for seniors age 65+, people on Medicare, people with disabilities, and people who qualify based on income, veterans and active-duty military.
If you are age 65+ or on Medicare, you can buy and use a Hop card from one of the new Hop card machines or hundreds of local supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores. Just keep your government-issued photo ID with proof of age or Medicare card handy when boarding in case a bus operator or fare inspector asks to see proof of eligibility.
Otherwise, if you qualify based on disability, income or military status, you need to apply in advance and get a photo ID Hop card to use the Honored Citizen fare. Learn more about our Honored Citizen fares and apply online.
Note for Adult fares
If you use the standard Adult fare, you don’t need a Hop card to ride TriMet. You can instantly pay the Adult fare by tapping your phone or contactless credit/debit card on the Hop reader — you’ll earn Day and Month passes as you ride just like with a Hop card. You can still use a Hop card if you like its benefits like lost card protection and Auto-Load, or if you want to use our reduced fare.
