Metropolitan Area Express (Portland, Oregon)

MAX is one of two light rail systems in Portland; the other is the Portland Streetcar. MAX trains are larger and faster, and cover greater distances than the streetcar system.

Lines

There are currently two MAX lines, with a third line under construction.

Portland MAX Light Rail Lines

Line Name	Color	Outlying Terminus	Opened	Length	# Stations
Eastside	Blue	Cleveland Ave (Gresham)	1986	15 mi (24 km)	29
Westside	Blue	Hatfield Government Center (Hillsboro)	1998	18 mi (29 km)	20
Airport	Red	Airport	2001	5.5 mi (8.9 km)*	4
Interstate	Yellow	Expo Center	2004 (planned)	5.8 mi (9.3 km)*	10
Totals				44.3 mi (71.3 km)	63

* Length shown does not include a shared segment with Eastside MAX

The central terminus for all lines is Pioneer Square. Although the Blue Line is technically one line, its routes and construction history effectively divide it into two lines (Eastside and Westside).

Mode of operation

The MAX system operates in several different modes.

• In the central city trains run in mixed traffic on surface streets, similar to a streetcar (although there is a separate streetcar system, the Portland Streetcar).

• Outside the central city MAX has its own right-of-way. Older track segments are controlled by traffic signals at intersections. Newer segments are fully grade-separated or have controlled crossings to give trains the right-of-way.

• One 3 mile (4.8 km) section operates as a subway below Washington Park. This section has only one station, which is 260 feet (79 m) below ground-level – the deepest transit station in North America.

Rolling stock

There are currently two models of MAX cars.

The original Type 1 cars were manufactured by Bombardier Corporation and featured a raised floor with steps at the doors. The interior design was similar to that of a bus.

With the opening of Westside MAX in 1998, new Type 2 cars made by Siemens were introduced. These cars have a low-floor design, digital readerboards, and open floor plan. The floor is level with streetside platforms, greatly simplyfing access and eliminating the need for wheelchair lifts[?].

The trains operate in one- or two-car consists. MAX trains can't be longer than two cars because Portland's downtown blocks are only about 200 feet (61 m) long. The MAX cars are about 90 feet (27.5 m) long, so a train consisting of more than two cars would block intersections.

Portland MAX Light Rail Cars

Designation	Manufacturer	First Used	Max Capacity	# in Fleet
Type 1	Bombardier	1986	256	26
Type 2	Siemens	1998	261	52
Type 3	Siemens	2004 (planned)	unknown	17 (on order)

Train frequency

Airport trains run every 15 minutes from 5 AM to 11:30 PM. Blue Line trains run every 10 minutes (15 minutes late nights and Sundays). Actual schedules vary by location and time of day. At most stations a live readerboard shows the destination and time-to-arrival of the next several trains.

External links

• TriMet (http://trimet.org)
• System map and schedules (http://trimet.org/schedule/r100.htm)