MAX Light Rail - Fares

Fares

MAX uses a proof-of-payment system; riders must carry a receipt at all times. Fares are purchased before boarding, and receipt is retained as proof of paid fare. Passengers must board the train before the receipt's expiration, and are allowed to ride past the time on the receipt, provided the train was boarded before the expiration time. Receipts are good for 2 hours after purchase, and can be used an unlimited number of times, for travel in any direction, as well as for buses, Portland Streetcar, and C-Tran. From 1986 until 2012, TriMet's fare system was zonal, or distance-based, with higher fares for longer rides, and three fare zones (five until 1988). However, in September 2012 the agency discontinued all use of fare zones.

MAX fares (as of September 1, 2012) are:

• Adult: $2.50 (valid for any ride within time-stamp)

• Youth: $1.65 (ages 7–17 and students in high school or pursuing a GED). Must show proof of age or student status if asked.
• Honored Citizen: $1 (persons 65 years of age or older, or disabled)
• LIFT Paratransit: $2.15
• Children under 7: Free when accompanied by fare-paying passenger
• Day Passes (valid until the end of service, circa 2:30 a.m., but not 24 hours):

• Adult $5
• Youth: $3.30
• Honored Citizen: $2

Seven-day, 14-day and 30-day passes are available for each category of passenger. One-month passes are available from TriMet ticket outlets, but as of September 2012, the ticket-vending machines at MAX stations issue 30-day passes instead of one-month passes, with the period of validity starting on the day of purchase, rather than the beginning of a calendar month.

Transfer receipts from buses are also valid fare on MAX, provided they have not expired before boarding, and MAX tickets are valid on bus routes, under the same condition. On the Portland Streetcar system, a new streetcar-only ticket priced at $1 was introduced in September 2012, and this ticket and a similar streetcar-only annual pass are not valid on MAX or on TriMet buses, but all other Portland Streetcar tickets are valid on MAX. The ticket-vending machines on board the streetcars are equipped to issue TriMet-compatible tickets, as well as streetcar-only tickets.

Until 2012, riding was free in Fareless Square, which included all of downtown and part of the Lloyd District, but the 37-year-old fare-free zone was discontinued on September 1, 2012, as part of systemwide cost-cutting measures.