TriMet offers free New Year's Eve rides, extended service

TriMet is offering free rides on its buses and MAX light rail starting at 8 p. m. on December 31, 2024, as part of a community initiative to promote safe transportation for New Year's Eve celebrations. The Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN will also participate in this fare-free service, providing residents with multiple options to get home safely. Most MAX lines will run two to three hours later than their usual schedules, maintaining a frequency of every 30 minutes.

For example, the Blue Line's last eastbound train will depart Hatfield Government Center at 1:35 a. m. , and the Orange Line will continue service until 2:58 a. m. for northbound passengers.

The Red Line to Portland International Airport will follow its regular schedule, with the last train leaving Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds at 10:34 p. m. This initiative is further supported by the Portland Bureau of Transportation's partnership with ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, which will offer Safe Ride Home discounts from 8 p. m. to 4 a.

m. TriMet spokesperson Tyler Graf highlighted the significance of this annual tradition in providing safe and affordable travel options, especially given the high risks of impaired driving during celebratory events. Passengers planning to travel after midnight should adjust their trip planner to January 1 when checking service schedules.