4 Essential Winter Weather Tips for Riders
What to expect from TriMet and how to be prepared
If you plan to take TriMet buses or trains during snowy or icy weather, here's what you need to know.
1. Brush up on Where to get service information
Conditions can change quickly. Before you leave, get the latest updates on snow routes, delays and cancellations:
- Check the Service Alerts page at trimet.org or at m.trimet.org (mobile).
- Call 503-238-RIDE (7433) and press 2 for Service Alerts.
- Check local TV and radio stations.
- Sign up to get email updates about snow/ice service.
Using the Online Trip Planner
The Trip Planner assumes that regular service is in effect, so be sure to look for Service Alerts on your trip itinerary and check for alerts again before you leave.
2. Bus riders: Learn your snow route
Check your bus line's route map to see its typical snow route
When the snow starts falling: Buses will follow their normal routes as long as the streets are safe for travel. We work with city and state road crews to help make sure bus routes get plowed first. We'll chain buses as necessary, especially on hilly routes.
Significant snow/ice conditions: As snow or ice accumulates, some lines may be canceled due to road conditions. Others will go on snow routes to avoid parts of the route that are too dangerous to drive on.
Severe weather service plan: If the weather gets really bad, and stays bad, we'll limit service to a select group of bus lines operating on plowed streets, so that we can serve the most riders.
Need to know
- If there's no traffic going by your bus stop, walk to a stop on a busy street.
- If your bus stop is in the middle of a hill, walk to the bottom where the operator can safely stop.
- Stand back from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop. Buses can slide sideways in slippery conditions.
- Keep in mind your bus may not pull all the way over to the curb, to avoid getting stuck.
3. Know what to expect from TransitTracker
During snowy/icy weather, buses and trains get so far off their normal schedule or route that TransitTracker can't predict arrivals accurately. Instead of an arrival countdown, we'll provide a Service Alert with details about what's happening on that line. Learn more about how TransitTracker works
4. Dress warmly and expect delays
Road conditions affect all traffic, so buses may experience significant delays. Chained buses can't travel more than 25 mph. They won't be on schedule, but buses should still arrive at regular intervals. MAX Light Rail, WES Commuter Rail and Portland Streetcar will operate normally unless there is a problem with the tracks, switches or the overhead wires. To be safe, always dress warmly and expect delays.
Riding MAX, WES or Streetcar: What to expect
If we expect MAX, WES or Streetcar service will be interrupted for a significant period of time, we'll send out shuttle buses to carry riders between stations. That means you'll go to the station like you normally would, but you'll board a shuttle bus instead. (It will pull up near the station, with a sign that says "Shuttle.") Unless otherwise indicated, the buses will stop at all stations your train would serve during its normal hours of operation.
At times, MAX may continue running overnight in order to prevent ice from building up on the overhead wires. If this is the case, MAX will be in service and carrying passengers all night long.
