 It's an exciting time at TriMet, with new arrivals and important changes. Read on to learn more.
 Our new GILLIG battery-electric bus has arrived! It’s a long-range electric bus, meaning it runs all day after charging overnight. We’ll roll this bus, and four others like it, out on Line 20-Burnside/Stark later this year.
These buses are part of TriMet’s test of electric bus technology, which includes pioneering what we believe is a transit industry first: The Desert Rose.
 We bought the 60-foot articulated, formerly diesel bus from Valley Metro in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the “desert” half of its name) and had it converted to an all-electric bus. (The “rose” half is for Portland – the Rose City.)
Converting diesel buses to electric costs hundreds of thousands of dollars less than buying a new electric bus. Testing is expected to start later this year and, if successful, could help in our transition from a diesel bus fleet to a green energy one.
TriMet Board of Directors approved the agency's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year that starts on July 1. It focuses on recovering from the global pandemic, while keeping our customers and employees safe.
The budget sets aside $607.1 million for operations and $301.2 million for capital improvements.
What it does not include is a base fare increase for the ninth straight year.
The Tax Supervising & Conservation Commission (TSCC) will hold a public hearing on our budget on April 28. The TriMet Board will vote on adopting the budget at its May meeting.
 Starting April 1, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will take command of TriMet’s Transit Police Division.
MSCO has a track record of embracing community-based approaches that merge safety with compassion. This approach aligns with the changes we’re making through our reimagine public safety initiative.
TriMet staff—not law enforcement officers—will continue to conduct routine fare inspections.
 Two new members are joining the TriMet Board of Directors.
Dr. LaVerne Lewis is an educator and an expert in criminal justice and civil rights. She spent nearly 18 years in law enforcement, including with MCSO and as a training instructor at the Oregon Public Safety Academy’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Dr. Lewis also has dedicated her service on many boards including the Mt. Hood Community College Board of Education. Her term is underway.
Thomas Kim will begin his service on the TriMet Board July 1. He was the first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival-status (DACA) attorney in Oregon.
In addition to his legal practice, Kim provides pro bono legal services to low-income individuals with past criminal records to help them overcome barriers such as those to housing and employment.
Learn more about Dr. Lewis and Kim here.
Should TriMet’s next general manager have experience delivering high levels of customer service? What about understanding and responding to issues related to equity and racial justice? Or, crisis management ability to help lead TriMet out of the COVID-19 pandemic?
TriMet's Board wants the community to weigh in on the attributes and priorities for our next general manager. Take our online survey, available in six languages, at trimet.org/gm. It takes just a few minutes to complete.
Please spread the word. So far, we’ve heard from more than 3,200 people but want everyone to have the chance to voice their opinions.
 TriMet has been sharing information about our COVID-19 precautions throughout the pandemic.
Now, as more people get vaccinated and move back toward their daily routine, we’re showing that riding a bus is mostly the same but with a few minor, yet important, differences.
 Can a better website make it easier to ride transit? We hope so.
Check out our new prototype at trimet.org/beta. Among the changes: We combined all our trip planning tools in one place. You can instantly see nearby stops and next arrivals based on your location. And, you can track any bus or train in real time on our interactive map.
Visit trimet.org/beta, and please share your feedback.
 As part of our celebration this month of the women who help drive TriMet’s mission of safety and service, hear who the 'TriMet Woman' is from some of our dedicated employees.
 Our current, longest-serving bus operator is a woman. Cindy Kassab started at TriMet on April 7, 1976. Cindy is also an accomplished photographer.
Cindy shared a few years ago some of the reaction she received early in her career when riders spotted a woman at the wheel.
By the way, TriMet joined riders on March 18, Transit Driver Appreciation Day, in honoring all our operators for their dedicated service!
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