Closure of MAX Blue and Red Line stations could shave about two minutes off trips

TriMet is considering closing four MAX stations in Downtown Portland and we want feedback from riders and the public. The stations being considered for closure include:

Kings Hill/SW Salmon St Station

Mall/SW 4th Ave Station

Mall/SW 5th Ave Station

Skidmore Fountain Station

MAX Blue and Red lines serve all the stations. Removing the stops would help trains move more efficiently through Downtown. TriMet estimates trips between the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St and Old Town/Chinatown stations would be about two minutes faster.

As we looked to speed up trains through Downtown Portland, we considered distance to nearby stations, ridership and the flow of the trains. We believe these four stations are the right ones to close to reduce travel time while maintaining the transit service people value and count on every day.

Nearby stations less than ¼ mile away

TriMet has identified the four low-ridership stations for possible closure based on their short distance – less than a fourth of a mile – to other MAX stops.

The Kings Hill Station is a block or two from the nearby Providence Park Station and four blocks from the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St Station.

The Mall/SW 4th Ave Station is about a block from the Pioneer Square South Station and about two-and-a-half blocks from the Yamhill District Station.

The Mall/SW 5th Ave Station is also just a block from the Pioneer Square North Station, and it is two blocks from the Morrison/SW 3rd Ave Station.

Skidmore Fountain Station is two blocks from the Old Town/Chinatown Station and four blocks from the Oak/SW 1st Ave Station.

TriMet already closes the Kings Hill/SW Salmon St Station for Portland Timbers and Thorns games due to safety because of the large number of fans and the tightness of the station.

Title VI review ensures service equity

TriMet has conducted a Title VI equity review of the proposal to close the four stations. It found no adverse impact on minority or low-income populations. That’s due to the short distance to nearby stations. Even for those with mobility issues – with remaining stations less than a fourth of mile away – that falls well within the half-mile service availability threshold under Title VI.

Timeline

TriMet’s draft proposal is to close these closely spaced low ridership stations September 1, 2019, which would require the approval of TriMet’s Board of Directors.

Share your opinion

Let TriMet know your thoughts about the possible station closures and service improvement. Email hello@trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433).