 Hello! Here’s a summary of our equity and inclusion news at TriMet!
TriMet’s Transit Equity Advisory Committee (TEAC) is looking for new members, and you could be part of this important group. We’re looking for people from community-based organizations based in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. TEAC provides insight and guidance to TriMet’s General Manager on issues of equity, access and inclusion.
Applications will be available in mid-November. Stay tuned for more information on how to apply.
 In the coming weeks, the Menlo Park Safe Rest Village will open in a part of TriMet’s Menlo Park Park & Ride at 122nd and E. Burnside. TriMet leased the property to the City of Portland for one of the tiny home villages that is seen as an alternative shelter where people experiencing houselessness can find a path toward resilience and permanent housing.
During a pre-opening event on Oct. 28, Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan thanked TriMet for being the first city partner to step forward, back in September 2021, when the housing bureau was looking for safe rest village sites.
The Menlo Park Safe Rest Village will be operated by Cultivate Initiatives, a non-profit supporting the houseless community in East Portland.
 Heads up: From Nov. 12-19, MAX Blue Line service will be temporarily disrupted between the Orenco/NW 231st Ave and Hatfield Government Center MAX stations. Shuttle buses will serve closed stations during the disruption.
This work is part of our A Better Red extension and reliability project and will prepare the area for the extension of MAX Red Line 10 more stations west in 2024.
Watch this video to learn more about the project and the November disruption.
 We want to give a big “thank you” to our community partners who helped us share our Forward Together draft service concept over the past month. We appreciate the help from the Somali American Council of Oregon (SACO), Slavic Family Center, Rosewood Initiative, Centro Cultural and the City of Fairview–PlayEast, and others. You played a vital role in our outreach and in hosting the open house events!
Based on the feedback we received in person and online, we’ll revise the concept to create a bus service plan that we’ll present to the TriMet Board of Directors at its December meeting for its approval. During that meeting, we’ll share the results of what we heard from the community.
If approved by the Board, people will have more opportunities to provide feedback on any Forward Together changes we plan to move forward with as part of our annual service improvements. Two rounds of outreach and public comment are held annually for our service improvements.
 There’s great news for people driving full- or part-time for TriMet. A pay increase is on the horizon for bus operators and all TriMet employees who are represented by ATU 757.
Union members will see a 7.5% pay bump starting December 1 under our two-year contract extension agreement. That increase boosts starting pay for new operators to $27.13 per hour. That’s on top of great benefits and in addition to our $7,500 operator hiring bonus.
Know someone looking to make a positive career move? Send them to trimet.org/careers!
Calling all artists! We’re looking for local artists to design our 2023 bus murals! This is a paid opportunity, with a $4,000 total payment per bus design.
We’re currently taking applications to design a Black History Month bus mural and a Women’s History Month bus mural. Check out these opportunities online and take a look at past bus mural designs.
We’re also honoring Native American Heritage Month with a special bus featuring art by Greg A. Robinson. Here's a time-lapse video of the art being applied to the bus!
 TriMet was proud to sponsor the DJC Women of Vision 2022 awards on Oct. 26, and we thank the Daily Journal of Commerce for honoring one of our own!
Libby Winter was among the more than 50 women who received awards for “shaping the built environment in Oregon and Southwest Washington through their technical skill, leadership, mentorship, community involvement and promotion of industry diversity,” according to the DJC.
Libby was honored from her work as a Community Affairs Coordinator. Among those who nominated her for the award were Jo Schaefer, the chair of the Hollywood Neighborhood Association, and Maura White, the president of the Hollywood Boosters Business Association and executive director of the non-profit Mother & Child Education Center.
The Transit Equity Advisory Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month. Get details here.
The TriMet Board of Directors retreat will be held on November 9.
The Committee on Accessible Transportation meets virtually the third Wednesday of each month from 9-11 a.m.
Learn more about our equity programs, including our income-based fare and high school transit pass programs, climate justice efforts, and more, online.
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