Strengthening the Portland Region’s Transportation Backbone
The strategy for regional high capacity transit investment
A new vision for high capacity transit identifies faster and reliable transit connections that will connect more people in the greater Portland region to the places they need to go. This includes TriMet’s MAX, Westside Express Service commuter rail, Frequent Express Bus and Streetcar.
What is high capacity transit (HCT)?
The Portland region has been investing in high capacity transit since the 1980s. From the region’s first MAX light rail project – the Blue Line to Gresham – right up to the recent opening of the region’s first FX rapid bus line on Division Street in 2022, our region has delivered a high capacity transit system that now provides tens of millions of rides each year.
This factsheet includes more information on the different types of transit in our regional network.
What is the vision for our future high capacity transit system?
The 2023 High Capacity Transit Strategy offers a vision for the future that reflects how greater Portland has grown, how communities and their needs have changed and how transit and travel trips are different (especially after the COVID-19 pandemic).
The vision identifies our region’s most pressing needs for HCT investments to ensure there will be frequent service along our most heavily traveled urban corridors.
Equity focus areas and areas with concentrations of jobs and housing are prioritized within this network vision to contribute to the growth and cohesion of greater Portland.
Click on a transit line to see more information!
Why is HCT important to our regional transit system?
High capacity transit is the backbone of the greater Portland region’s transportation system, connecting greater Portland’s downtown and centers of commerce where the greatest number of people live, work and play.
Our transit system supports the greater Portland region growing in a way that fosters healthy and vibrant communities and preserves farm and forestlands.
This factsheet includes more information about how high capacity transit gets people where they need to go in ways that help the region achieve shared goals.
Why invest in high capacity transit?
High capacity transit contributes to an overall higher quality of life, a more equitable transit system and a stronger economy. Scroll to see how HCT is meeting our regional goals of equity, climate, mobility, economy and safety.
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Equity, Climate, Mobility, Economy and Safety
In order to meet our region’s shared and ambitious goals, deep investments in high capacity transit are necessary.
HCT connects people to jobs, offers a more affordable alternative to driving and helps reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
How do we ensure HCT achieves these goals?
Investments in high capacity transit connect people to jobs and other destinations while improving safety, access and livability. For these investments to be successful and reach their fullest potential in supporting regional mobility, climate and equity goals:
- affordable places to live and shop must be located nearby
- people must be able to walk and roll safely to transit stations
- buses and/or trains must have road priority to avoid traffic
- transit fare must be affordable and accessible
- many agencies and community partners must come together
This factsheet includes more information about transit-supportive environments and complementary corridor improvements.
How are we working to get the vision in the ground?
By identifying the next 50 years of critical high capacity transit projects, the High Capacity Transit Strategy is a blueprint for investment that will help greater Portland be competitive to receive Federal funding.
Regional partners and community members are already putting the strategy to work and coming together to plan for where new MAX lines and FX rapid bus corridors will be built.
