September 9, 2005

3 MAX lines celebrate September birthdays

Overall annual ridership reaches 32 million

Eastside MAX carries 199 million in 19 years

TriMet's Eastside MAX Blue Line has carried 199 million rides since opening in 1986 as the Portland area's first light rail line.

The 15-mile line, linking Gresham to downtown Portland has seen steady ridership growth from an average of 19,500 weekday rides in its first year to an average of 41,100 daily trips last year (ending June 30, 2005). The line carried a total of 16.5 million trips for the year.

Since opening on Sept. 6, 1986, Eastside MAX trains have traveled about 18.5 million miles, equivalent to 2,334 trips around the earth at the equator.

Westside MAX: 62 million rides in 7 years

Westside MAX has carried more than 62 million rides in the seven years since it first opened on September 12, 1998.

Westside MAX now averages 32,700 trips each weekday, exceeding 2008 ridership projections.

The Westside MAX extension stretches 18 miles, connecting Hillsboro, Beaverton and Portland to the overall light rail system. Since opening, Westside trains have traveled about 10.4 million miles or the equivalent of 1,312 trips around the earth at the equator

Red Line carries 3.3 million to airport in 4 years

The Airport MAX Red Line, which turns four years old on Sept. 10, has carried 3.3 million people to and from Portland International Airport since it first began running.

Last year about 900,000 people got on or off MAX at the airport for an average of 2,600 a day. The 5.5-mile segment runs every 15 minutes between Beaverton and the airport.

Prior to opening the Red Line in 2001, buses carried about 900 riders to and from the airport per day.

MAX light rail system - 32 million rides a year

TriMet's overall MAX system covers 44 miles, and has 65 light rail stations. Combined, they carried 32 million rides last year, and averaged about 97,000 rides each weekday.