TriMet to Step Up Enforcement of Ridership Rules
On June 24, 2024, TriMet announced, “It’s time to make transit cleaner, safer and more accessible.” Starting July 1, 2024, TriMet says it will begin stricter enforcement of its existing safety and conduct rules on buses and MAX trains throughout Portland and Beaverton. TriMet’s goal is to improve rider safety by increasing fare inspections, prohibiting hazardous or obstructive items, and enforcing key conduct policies.
What’s Changing?
“At this point, we’re at a stage where we can really refocus on code enforcement to create that safe and reliable ride for our customers,” said Andrew Wilson, TriMet’s Executive Director of Safety and Security. “And so that’s where we’re refocusing now; we have the capacity.” TriMet officials say this is all possible because the agency has more safety and security staff than ever before. TriMet says updated enforcement efforts will focus on the following:
More Fare Inspections – Security personnel will conduct more frequent checks to ensure compliance.
Prohibiting Hazardous or Oversized Items – Items that block aisles, leak, or create obstacles will not be allowed.
Stronger Enforcement of Conduct Policies – Certain behaviors that contribute to an unsafe or uncomfortable environment will be targeted.
Which Conduct Policies Will Be Enforced?
TriMet says it will focus on several key areas of rider behavior, including:
No Smoking or Drug Use – Smoking, vaping, or drug use of any kind is prohibited on all TriMet property. [As recently as 2023, according to the tests conducted by the University of Washington, 100% of sampled surfaces on TriMet light rails tested positive for low levels of meth. Other findings across TriMet found low levels of fentanyl across 37.5% of air samples collected and 50% of surface samples as positive for fentanyl.]
No Loud or Disruptive Behavior – TriMet says excessive noise, harassment, or other disruptive actions that make travel unpleasant for others will be addressed. Playing music and videos out loud from phones or speakers is prohibited on TriMet.
No Blocking Seats or Aisles – TriMet states that riders must keep personal belongings out of walkways and off extra seats. TriMet states, “Items that leak create a sticky or slippery hazard. Large bags of recyclable bottles and cans may do both, not only creating messes but also blocking safe access. [TriMet] prohibit[s] grocery-store-sized shopping carts and open containers of food or beverages that may spill.”
No Fare Evasion – Passengers on TriMet must be able to show proof of fare when requested.
TriMet Drivers to now be Code Informers
Mr. Wilson explained that the idea is to not have TriMet drivers enforcing the rules. Instead, it'll be the safety and security staff who respond to do that. There are now over 400 people in the agency's security department, with Wilson indicating that they are expanding up to 500.
"We try to keep our operators out of code violations," Mr. Wilson said. "Now, operators can be code violation informers. They'll be reaching out to our security operations center as well as our operation command about the violations they're seeing, and those will be addressed by additional personnel."
If someone shows up on a bus or MAX train with an obvious violation of the rules, Mr. Wilson added, drivers can stop and wait until someone else shows up to address it. Meanwhile, TriMet's security operations center will be able to track where all of their security staff are at a given time, as well as the buses and MAX cars.
Will Riders See Real Improvements?
While these rules were already in place, TriMet says they have the resources now to really focus on enforcement. Will TriMet follow through? Will these measures make riding on public transit in Portland and Beaverton safer? For now, riders will be watching to see if these changes lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.
Call Us To Find Out How We Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured while riding TriMet, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. For more information on claims against TriMet, visit our TriMet Accident and Injuries practice page. Given the complexities involved in suing a public body like TriMet, it is crucial to seek experienced legal representation quickly.
Last Updated: 2-18-2025
