Sustaining Livability
It’s likely livability is a big part of why you live in the Portland region. We enjoy a level of environmental and social quality that others envy. TriMet's buses, MAX Light Rail and other transit-related services are crucial to help protect our region's communities and quality of life.
Air quality and climate change
While you might expect industry to be the biggest air polluter, it's actually automobiles. TriMet’s fuel efficiency and contribution to reducing congestion is helping the region address global warming and protect livability. Each day, TriMet service eliminates an estimated 201,800 car trips. That means:
- 4.2 tons of smog-forming pollutants are prevented.
- 60,000 gallons of fuel are conserved.
- More than 540 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions are avoided.
More about fuel efficiency and emissions reduction
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TriMet promotes community involvement that fosters livability and environmental stewardship.
Programs for employers
TriMet helps more than 750 local employers offer commute alternatives to 162,000 employees in the Portland metropolitan area, reducing the number of auto trips to their work sites every day. More
SOLV partnership
SOLV and TriMet have enjoyed a long and rewarding partnership in clean and safe urban streetscapes. For more information about SOLV or to volunteer, please visit www.solv.org.
Environmental justice and transit equity
"Environmental justice" means caring about the human environment for all people. TriMet has made environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing the effects of all programs, policies and activities on minority and low-income populations. More
Economic health
Pollution reduction is not only important to our health, it's important to the health of our economy. The Portland metro area is barely in compliance with the federal health standards for air quality. Thanks to TriMet's services, local businesses avoid the imposition of about $10 million a year in additional emission control requirements.
TriMet provides room in our airshed for about nine new Intel-type industries or 19 new Tektronix-type industries. Expanding our transit system helps ensure that our air is safe to breathe and that industry and jobs are allowed to expand.
Transit-oriented development
TriMet's transportation and environmental leadership has helped spur $6 billion in transit-oriented development along MAX Light Rail lines. Much of this development mixes residential with retail and other commercial use, creating communities where people can live, work and play. This approach helps enrich the human environment and reduce the pressure on our natural environment from sprawl, traffic congestion and associated air pollution.