TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail transit services in the Portland, Oregon, metro area. We connect people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution—making the Portland area a better place to live. More
Westside Service Enhancement Plan
The Westside is leading the state of Oregon out of the recession. Intel and Nike are pursuing expansions and companies are relocating to the area. Neighborhoods are sprouting and enrollment at Portland Community College is surging. With this growth, we're developing a plan to grow, too.
The plan
The Westside Service Enhancement Plan is a future transit vision for Beaverton, Hillsboro, Cornelius, Forest Grove and other parts of Washington County north of Scholls Ferry Rd. We developed this new vision using population research, surveys, and outreach to the community.
What we learned
Our research identified five needs for transit on the Westside:
More and better transit connections: Connect neighborhoods with job centers, schools and shopping.
Forest Grove's quaint downtown
- Bring MAX Red Line to Hillsboro for frequent and direct access to Portland International Airport (MAX Blue Line would go to Beaverton Transit Center only.)
- Add new high capacity transit to TV Highway
- Build a grid of bus service with more north-south service
Less waiting/faster trips: Increase frequency, launch express service and implement transit priority treatments to reduce travel time.
PCC at Willow Creek
- Restore 15-minute frequency on MAX and frequent service lines region-wide
- Add new frequent service lines to 174th, 185th and 229th aves., Farmington Rd., Cornell Rd., Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., and Hall Blvd.
- Increase bus frequency to 15 minutes during peak times and 20–30 minutes during the midday
- Decrease travel times with express service and priority signal and bus lane treatments
A safe place to walk: Increase access to transit by improving sidewalks, crossings and bus stops.
Connect to work and play
- Encourage jurisdictions to fund sidewalk, crossing and bus stop safety enhancements
- Introduce bus service and bus stop improvements as sidewalks and crossing are upgraded
Bridge the last mile: Link MAX with employers.
- Provide space for shared bike or car options at MAX stations
- Partner with the City of Hillsboro on a network of mobility hubs—transit, carpools, bikes, transportation information
- Increase covered bike parking for all day or overnight storage at MAX stations
New cost-effective "Community Connector" transit: Provide shuttle services in areas where ridership can't support traditional bus service.
What's next
We will prioritize the service improvements, focusing on near-term opportunities to partner with local cities, the county, and the private sector. Improvements requiring a significant amount of new revenue will be long-term goals and will depend on finding funds from federal, state and regional sources. Additionally, full implementation of the plan is limited until we are able to restructure our employee benefits.