Switching From Paper Tickets to Hop

Next time you’re at the store ready to buy your fare, pick up a reloadable Hop card from the gift card rack or from the customer service counter. (Cards are available for Adult, Honored Citizen and Youth riders; there is a one-time $3 fee.)

Participating retailers include Albertsons, Fred Meyer, New Seasons, Plaid Pantry, Safeway and many more — see the full list here.

When you check out, you can load any amount over $5 onto your card. When you’re ready to reload, you can add money using the website, app or phone hotline, or you can reload with cash at the store.

Starting in August, Albertsons and Safeway stores will begin phasing out traditional paper fares; by September 1, they will no longer be available. Fred Meyer and QFC stores will continue selling paper fares until further notice.

Where to buy and reload Hop cards

How Hop works

You will still be able to buy your fare on the bus using cash. (You’ll get a paper transfer like before.) This summer, ticket machines at MAX stations are switching to exclusively sell 2½-hour and 1-day Hop tickets — these are similar to the paper fares they sell today, but they must be tapped on a Hop reader every time you board or transfer.

Learn more about Hop tickets

Our ticket office in Pioneer Square will continue selling traditional paper tickets and passes for the time being. You can also buy and reload all types of Hop cards here, and our staff is happy to help set you up and answer any questions you have.

The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Plan your trip

We will continue to work with organizations that provide fares for their clients and community members. Instead of paper tickets and passes, these groups will distribute Hop tickets or add money onto existing Hop cards. Just remember to tap the green Hop reader every time you board or transfer!

We will continue to accept paper tickets and passes for the time being. If you would like to convert your paper fare to Hop credit, stop by our ticket office in Pioneer Courthouse Square (unvalidated foil-stamped fares only).

Just like before, there are a number of ways to get fare to your organization’s clients.

Opening an account is the easiest way to load fare, including day or month passes, onto your clients’ Hop cards on a regular basis (similar to the way employers manage cards for their employees). This is a good option for organizations that work consistently with the same clients.

If you simply need to distribute 2½-hour or 1-day Hop tickets, opening an account will let us send fare directly to your organization. Setting up an account is easy and there is no upfront cost or requirement to buy. There is no contract required if you pay for your order upfront with a credit card.

Send us a note at employerprograms@trimet.org if you’re interested in signing up or learning more.

Unvalidated 2½-hour and 1-day Hop tickets are also available from the TriMet Ticket Office in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

We are continuing to give away thousands of free Hop cards throughout the transition from paper fares — if you’re interested in learning more, email us at hopoutreach@trimet.org.

Don’t worry. We are committed to making sure Hop works for everyone, and we would love help get you on board. Send a note to hopoutreach@trimet.org with any comments or questions and we’ll follow up with you.