1) Tickets
To ride the bus you can either buy TriMet tickets beforehand or you can just pay $2.10 when you get on. If you buy tickets, they are available in the bookstore in packs of ten. You want the 2-zone tickets. When you get on the bus, just slide one of the tickets into the slot and the driver will give you a transfer. If you are paying in cash, money goes in the same place you would put the ticket. Remember that TriMet does not give change, so if you only have a $5, you are just going to be overpaying.
2) Transfers
The little slip you get after giving the driver a ticket or paying directly is called a transfer. Your transfer is good until the time shown at the top. When you change buses or return to Reed, just flash this at the driver as you get on. Please don’t cheat. Many drivers will not pay enough attention to notice your transfer goes until 3 when it’s 3:15 but the ones who check will be DISPLEASED. You can also get a pretty big fine for trying to get a free ride.
3) TriMet Tools and Resources
The TriMet website has a handy trip planner to help you figure out how to get anywhere. You can set it to arrive at your destination at a certain time (so you can catch that movie at 6) or to leave after a certain time (so you know what bus to catch right after class). The planner will give you a couple options for trips, as well as a way to reverse the trip. Make sure to look at how to get back, as sometimes buses will stop running while you’re out (so you can’t always just reverse what you did to get there). When assessing options, think about where you are going and when. Sometimes it’s worth it to take a trip that may last 10 minutes longer if it means not having to transfer (especially when it’s raining, cold, or late at night). Take advantage of the interactive map TriMet provides so you can visualize what you are doing.
There is also an awesome app called PDXBus which is super helpful. The app uses your location to help you plan trips from where you are, detect all stops within a mile radius of you, and give you estimated arrival times for any stop you want. If you can’t use the app, you can also call TriMet at (503) 238-7433 or text them your stop ID at 27299 to get arrival times and service alerts.
4) Useful Lines Around Campus
The closest lines to campus are the 19, 75, and 10.
- 19: This is the bus that comes right in front of Reed. The covered stop in front of Eliot, or the one across the street if you are going the opposite way, is the best place to catch it because there are slight variations in the route that will cause you to miss the bus from other stops sometimes. The line going west is the best way to get over to the East Moreland neighborhood (Sburo sushi, Fat Albert’s, lots of antique malls) or downtown to Pioneer Square, Powells, etc. via the Ross Island bridge. If you go east you can get up Woodstock to Goodwill, Toast, and the Multnomah County Library.
- 75: This bus stops up on 39th and stays on this side of the river. This is the bus you will take if you want to go to Hawthorne, Belmont, NE areas like Lloyd Center, Alberta, and Killingsworth, or you need to get to the Hollywood transit station. It’s a “frequent service” line so you won’t need to wait more than 15 minutes unless you are going somewhere really late.
- 10: The 10 runs along Steele on the north side of campus. It’s a handy way to get over to Clinton if you want to catch a show at the Clinton Street Theater, drink coffee at one of the cute shops, rent a movie, or go to New Seasons Market. It will also take you lower down on Hawthorne than the 75 and then over the Hawthorne bridge. Keep in mind though that this line does not run very late or on the weekends.
5) Actually Being on the Bus
Once you know where you’re going, catch your bus, and get your ticket, there are a couple other things to know about your actual trip.
- Do NOT sit in the front group of seats unless they are the only ones open. These seats are reserved for people who use wheelchairs and people who are not physically able to stand during a ride. You are required to move for them so you may as well just sit somewhere else to begin with.
- Try to keep your voice down. You should totally talk with your friends but be respectful of everyone else and don’t take this as an opportunity to call your BFF and graphically describe your sex life.
- Remember to pay attention to when your stop is coming up. The driver should announce the next stop and when it’s yours either pull one of the yellow cables or push a red button to signal that you want to get off. Drivers will not stop unless given a reason. If you are worried about missing your stop, try finding the stop before it on the TriMet site before you leave. You can also tell the driver where you are going and they will help you. Leave through the back door.
