MAX Red Line
The MAX Red Line is a light rail service within the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) system, operated by TriMet in the Portland metropolitan area of Oregon, United States. It functions as the dedicated airport rail link, connecting Portland International Airport (PDX) with downtown Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro via a route that extends approximately 26 miles through Northeast Portland and the city center.[1][2] The line shares trackage with the Blue and Yellow Lines but operates as a distinct branch service, providing one-seat rides from the airport to western suburbs and key employment centers.[3] Initiated as a 5.5-mile extension from Gateway Transit Center to PDX, the Red Line opened on September 10, 2001, following a rapid five-year development from proposal to service inception, funded in part by federal grants and local bonds.[2] In 2003, it was extended westward from downtown to Beaverton Transit Center to enhance capacity and connectivity along the Westside Corridor, allowing through service to Hillsboro Airport terminal.[4] This expansion integrated the Red Line into the broader MAX network, which totals over 60 miles of track, facilitating daily ridership that contributes to TriMet's role in reducing regional vehicle miles traveled.[5] Service operates every 15 minutes during peak hours, with travel time from PDX to downtown Portland averaging 38 minutes, and fares structured at $2.80 for adults.[1] While the Red Line has bolstered airport access and supported economic ties between PDX and the suburbs, it has encountered operational challenges, including periodic disruptions for infrastructure upgrades like the "Better Red" project, which extended service westward and improved reliability amid growing demand in Washington County.[6] Safety concerns on the MAX system, including reports of incidents on the Red Line amid broader Portland transit issues, have prompted enhanced policing and fare enforcement, though official data emphasizes its overall utility for commuters and travelers.[7]History
Planning and Background
The concept of light rail service to Portland International Airport (PDX) emerged in regional transportation and airport master planning during the mid-1980s, incorporating provisions for a transitway along Interstate 205.[2] This planning aligned with the initial phases of the MAX light rail system, which began operations in 1986, but focused on future airport connectivity amid anticipated growth in air travel demand.[2] By the 1990s, PDX passenger traffic had doubled from 6 million annually in 1990 to projections exceeding 14 million by 2008, prompting accelerated efforts to realize the rail link.[2] In 1997, Bechtel Enterprises proposed a public-private partnership to TriMet, the Port of Portland, and the City of Portland, committing 25% of project funding—approximately $28.2 million—in exchange for development rights to a 120-acre site adjacent to the airport for commercial use, including the Cascade Station retail complex.[2] This innovative financing model avoided new taxes or additional federal subsidies, leveraging private investment to expedite implementation.[8] The proposal underwent an accelerated review process, securing 85 agreements and 20 regulatory approvals within nine months.[2] In 1998, a public review committee endorsed the project, leading to groundbreaking in May 1999 and major construction starting in June of that year.[8][2] Total funding reached $125 million, sourced from TriMet (36%), Bechtel/Cascade Station Development Company (23%), the Port of Portland (23%), the City of Portland (18%), and regional contributions.[8] The 5.5-mile extension shared existing tracks with the Blue Line from downtown to Gateway Transit Center, introducing four new stations and marking the first train-to-plane service on the West Coast upon its completion.[8]Initial Construction and Airport Opening
The initial construction of the MAX Red Line focused on a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) light rail extension branching from the existing Gateway Transit Center northeastward to Portland International Airport (PDX), marking the first direct train-to-plane rail connection on the West Coast.[8] This project added three new stations—Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, Mt. Hood Medical Center, and Portland International Airport—while utilizing the existing Gateway station, for a total of four stations on the airport spur.[8] The extension primarily followed the median of Interstate 205 and crossed the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River, integrating with the broader MAX system to enable through service from the airport to downtown Portland and Beaverton.[8] Construction began in May 1999 following agreements finalized in late 1998, leveraging a public-private partnership that expedited development through private financing and local contributions, including tax increment financing.[9] The $125 million project was completed in under two years, reflecting efficient execution amid urban and interstate constraints.[8][4] This rapid timeline—from initial proposal to revenue service in approximately five years—highlighted innovative funding models that reduced reliance on federal grants alone.[2] The line opened to passenger service on September 10, 2001, coinciding with the introduction of Red Line branding for airport-bound trains operating on shared tracks south of Gateway with Blue and Green Line services.[8][4] Despite launching one day before the September 11 terrorist attacks, which temporarily disrupted air travel and ridership, the extension immediately provided seamless transit access to PDX, enhancing regional connectivity without requiring transfers.[9] Early operations featured Bombardier low-floor vehicles, with service frequencies designed to align with airport schedules.[2]Extensions to Beaverton and Hillsboro
The MAX Red Line service was extended westward to Beaverton Transit Center on September 27, 2003, utilizing existing tracks originally built for the Westside MAX Blue Line extension completed in 1998.[2] This addition, spanning approximately 6.5 miles from the previous terminus at Gateway/Northeast 99th Avenue Transit Center, responded to increasing ridership demands and integrated airport service with suburban connectivity, adding five intermediate stations including Delta Park/Viking and Beaverton Central.[2] No new infrastructure was required, as the extension leveraged double-tracked segments already in place, allowing Red Line trains to operate alongside Blue Line services with minimal disruption.[10] Further expansion to Hillsboro occurred as the culmination of TriMet's A Better Red project, initiated in 2021 to enhance system reliability and capacity.[6] On August 28, 2024, Red Line service officially reached Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station, adding 10 stations westward from Beaverton Transit Center over 7.5 miles of existing alignment, including stops at Orenco, Quatama, and Tuality Hospital.[11] The project eliminated two single-track segments prone to delays—near Willow Creek/Southwest 185th Avenue and between Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport and Hillsboro Westside Transit Center—through double-tracking, signal upgrades, and platform extensions, at a total cost of $215 million funded partly by federal grants.[12] This extension doubled peak-hour frequencies between Beaverton and Hillsboro, reducing Blue Line overcrowding and providing direct airport-to-airport linkage from Portland International Airport to Hillsboro Airport for the first time.[6] Service patterns now include Red Line trains terminating at Hillsboro every 15 minutes during weekdays, improving access for over 50,000 new residents in the corridor since 2003.[13]Recent Improvements and Better Red Project
The A Better Red project, undertaken by TriMet, addressed longstanding reliability issues on the MAX Red Line by eliminating two single-track segments near Portland International Airport, which had previously caused delays and bottlenecks.[11] These improvements included double-tracking approximately 2.5 miles of the alignment between Northeast 82nd Avenue and Cascade Station, enhancing capacity and reducing wait times for airport-bound passengers.[14] The project also upgraded signaling systems and added passing sidings to allow for more consistent service intervals across the line.[15] In parallel, the initiative extended Red Line service westward from Beaverton Transit Center to Hillsboro Airport station, adding service to 10 additional stations along the existing Westside MAX alignment previously served only by Blue Line trains.[11] This extension, effective August 28, 2024, enables one-seat rides from the airport to Hillsboro, shortening end-to-end travel times by up to 15 minutes during peak periods and doubling frequency to every 15 minutes between downtown Portland and Beaverton.[16] To support the increased operations, TriMet acquired four new light rail vehicles, integrated into the fleet for Red Line runs.[17] Funded primarily through federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration and local bonds, the project totaled $215 million and was completed on schedule and within budget after starting construction in 2021.[11] Early post-opening data indicated improved on-time performance, with Red Line reliability rising from approximately 70% to over 85% in the initial months, though systemwide effects on Blue Line service required schedule adjustments to maintain overall network balance.[14] The enhancements have boosted ridership potential in Washington County, where demand for direct airport connections had grown with regional employment hubs.[18]Route and Infrastructure
Route Alignment and Key Segments
The MAX Red Line operates along a 27-mile route extending from Portland International Airport (PDX) in the northeast to Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station in the west, serving Portland's city center, Beaverton, and intermediate suburbs.[1] The alignment primarily utilizes dedicated light rail corridors, including freeway medians, at-grade street-running sections, and elevated structures, with total travel time end-to-end approximately 80-90 minutes depending on service patterns.[19] It shares trackage extensively with the Blue Line westward from Gateway/NE 99th Avenue Transit Center through downtown and Beaverton to Hillsboro, while featuring a dedicated spur from Gateway to PDX that diverges northeastward.[1] A defining key segment is the 5.5-mile Airport MAX spur, completed in 2001, which branches from the mainline at Gateway/NE 99th Avenue Transit Center and heads northeast parallel to Interstate 205 before curving west to serve PDX directly via dedicated right-of-way and at-grade alignments along Airport Way and NE 82nd Avenue.[1] This segment includes three stations—Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, Cascades Station (near a commercial area), and Portland International Airport station (located post-security near baggage claim)—and features grade-separated crossings over major roadways to prioritize airport access.[1] The spur's design emphasizes connectivity to air travel, with pedestrian bridges and integration to airport facilities, though it operates on shared tracks with the Yellow Line in this area.[1] East of the airport spur, the route aligns with the Banfield (Interstate) corridor along Interstate 84's median from Gateway/NE 99th Avenue Transit Center westward through East Portland, passing stations such as Hollywood/Northeast 42nd Avenue and Lloyd Center/Northeast 19th Avenue before entering downtown via an underground tunnel segment under the Willamette River.[1] This 8-mile stretch, part of the original 1986 Interstate MAX alignment, uses elevated and at-grade tracks in freeway medians to minimize urban disruption, serving high-density employment and retail zones.[1] The western portion follows the 18-mile Westside MAX corridor, opened in 1998, from downtown Portland's transit mall westward through Beaverton to Hillsboro, incorporating a mix of surface running, aerial structures over highways, and tunnel segments under the West Hills.[6] Key sub-segments include the extension implemented on August 28, 2024, which added service to 10 stations beyond Beaverton Transit Center, reaching Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds via alignments such as the Orenco/Northwest 231st Avenue area (surface-level suburban stops) and elevated sections over U.S. Route 26.[6] This corridor supports regional commuting with park-and-ride facilities at multiple points, enhancing redundancy on shared Blue Line tracks.[1]Stations and Accessibility
The MAX Red Line serves 28 stations along its approximately 30-mile route from Portland International Airport to Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds, facilitating connections across Portland's east-northeast, central, and western suburbs.[1] Stations feature standardized accessibility measures compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including elevators or ramps at all platforms, level boarding for low-floor trains, audible signals, and tactile warning strips for visual impairment navigation.[20] These features enable direct boarding for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids onto all MAX vehicles, with TriMet maintaining an elevator status tracker for real-time outages.[21] Key eastern stations include the Portland International Airport MAX Station, integrated into the terminal's south end for seamless access from baggage claim levels, complete with nearby retail and no dedicated parking to prioritize drop-off traffic.[22][23] Adjacent stops such as Mt. Hood Avenue, Cascades, Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, and Gateway/Northeast 99th Avenue Transit Center provide local bus connections and limited parking, while the newly opened Gateway North station in March 2024 enhances service in the Gateway district with improved pedestrian access.[24][25] From Hollywood/Northeast 42nd Avenue through Lloyd Center/Northeast 11th Avenue and Convention Center, stations link to shopping, events, and other MAX lines in the Lloyd District.[22] In the central city segment, stops like Rose Quarter Transit Center offer intermodal ties to buses and the Portland Streetcar, with platforms elevated for urban integration.[22] Western stations, shared with the Blue Line, include Sunset Transit Center and Beaverton Transit Center, the former pre-extension terminus until August 2024, both equipped with park-and-ride lots, bike lockers, and at Beaverton, connections to WES commuter rail service plus amenities like coffee shops.[22][26] The 2024 extension added stations at Merlo Road/Southwest 158th Avenue, Willow Creek/Southwest 185th Avenue Transit Center, and the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds terminus, featuring park-and-ride facilities near the airport and event venues, with over 100 parking spaces to support commuter access.[26][22] Newer Type 6 rail cars, introduced in January 2025, incorporate enhanced accessibility such as wider doors, dedicated wheelchair spaces, and improved audio-visual announcements to assist riders with disabilities.[27] Periodic maintenance, such as elevator repairs at stations like Northeast 82nd Avenue, may temporarily require shuttle alternatives, but overall system reliability supports consistent accessible service.[1] Park-and-ride options at suburban stations like Willow Creek and Hillsboro encourage automobile-to-transit shifts, with capacities varying from dozens to hundreds of spaces depending on demand.[28]Technical Specifications
The MAX Red Line operates on standard gauge track measuring 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in).[29] Electrification is provided by a 750 V DC overhead catenary system, consistent with the broader MAX network.[30] Light rail vehicles achieve a maximum operating speed of 55 mph (89 km/h), though average speeds are lower due to urban alignments, frequent stops, and grade separations.[29] The route spans approximately 33 miles (53 km) end-to-end from Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station to Portland International Airport, utilizing double-track infrastructure for most segments, with recent improvements addressing prior single-track bottlenecks at Gateway Transit Center and the airport spur.[31][32] Signaling employs a wayside block system integrated with central traffic control, enabling automatic train protection and supervision to manage shared trackage with Blue and Green lines.[30]| Key Technical Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Track Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) standard[29] |
| Electrification | 750 V DC overhead[30] |
| Maximum Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h)[29] |
| Route Length | ~33 miles (53 km)[31] |
| Track Configuration | Primarily double track, with grades up to 6% and minimum curve radius of 300 ft in urban sections[29] |
Operations
Service Patterns and Scheduling
The MAX Red Line operates as a through service connecting Hillsboro in the west with Portland International Airport (PDX) in the east, passing through Portland City Center and serving intermediate stations along the shared Westside Corridor (with the Blue Line) and the Airport MAX extension.[1] Trains follow a linear route without branching, covering approximately 26 miles and all 34 stations in sequence, with no short-turn patterns during regular operations.[1] This pattern prioritizes airport connectivity, with inbound trains from the suburbs timed to align with early morning arrivals and outbound service extending into late evening to accommodate flights.[1] Service runs daily for approximately 20 hours, from early morning to late night, classified under TriMet's Frequent Service network.[1] The first train arrives at PDX at 4:43 a.m. on weekdays and 4:46 a.m. on weekends; the last departure from PDX heads west toward Willow Creek/Transit Center, arriving around 12:27 a.m. daily.[1] End-of-line service to Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds concludes at 10:57 p.m. on weekdays and 11:27 p.m. on weekends.[1] Frequencies maintain headways of 15 minutes or better for most of the operating day, every day, with potential extensions to 30 minutes during overnight shoulder periods or due to mechanical delays; peak-hour service does not feature higher frequencies beyond this baseline.[1][24] Scheduling is managed by TriMet to ensure reliability, with real-time adjustments via transit signal priority along key segments and coordination with air traffic patterns at PDX, though elevator outages or track work can introduce temporary disruptions.[1] Travel time from downtown Portland (e.g., Pioneer Square) to PDX averages 38 minutes under normal conditions.[1] No dedicated event or holiday patterns deviate significantly from standard operations, maintaining the core airport-suburb linkage without reductions on weekends.[24]Rolling Stock and Maintenance
The MAX Red Line operates using light rail vehicles (LRVs) drawn from TriMet's shared fleet across all MAX lines, consisting of 145 vehicles spanning Types 1 through 5 as of late 2024.[33] Type 2 LRVs, manufactured by Siemens between 1992 and 2000, were specifically introduced to support the Red Line's initial operations and extensions, numbering 52 vehicles with low-floor design for accessibility, 92-foot length, and double-articulated configuration.[33] These are supplemented by other types, including the original Type 1 Bombardier vehicles (26 units, built 1984-1986) and later models like Types 3, 4, and 5, which provide additional capacity through features such as improved air conditioning and seating.[33] In 2025, TriMet began deploying 30 new Type 6 LRVs from Siemens to enhance reliability and accommodate the Red Line's extension to Hillsboro, with 26 units replacing aging Type 1 vehicles and four dedicated to fleet expansion.[34][35] These modern vehicles feature reconfigured seating for better legroom, advanced technology for rider experience, and overall system improvements.[34] Trains on the Red Line typically consist of two-car consists, though longer trains may operate during peak periods to meet demand.[33] Maintenance of Red Line LRVs occurs at TriMet's two primary rail facilities: Ruby Junction in Gresham and Elmonica in Beaverton.[36] The Ruby Junction facility, established in 1982 and expanded multiple times through 2015, handles comprehensive repairs including wheel truing, truck work, painting, and body shop services, with capacity for 68 stored LRVs and a dedicated washbay.[36] Elmonica, located along the Westside alignment, supports light repairs, inspections, component exchanges, and HVAC maintenance, storing up to 59 LRVs and minimizing deadhead mileage for efficient operations.[36] These facilities ensure fleet readiness through routine inspections, overhauls, and reliability-focused programs, benefiting the Red Line via the integrated MAX system.[36]Ridership Trends and Metrics
The MAX Red Line's weekday ridership averaged between 16,000 and 17,400 passengers per day during mid-2025, positioning it as the second-busiest line in the TriMet system after the Blue Line. Monthly variations reflect seasonal patterns, with higher volumes in summer months tied to increased airport traffic at Portland International Airport (PDX), where the line terminates. For instance, July 2025 recorded an average of 17,408 weekday boardings, while August 2025 saw 16,254.| Month (2025) | Average Weekday Boardings |
|---|---|
| May | 16,661 |
| June | 16,103 |
| July | 17,408 |
| August | 16,254 |