A TriMet bus rolls through the downtown area (Mike Zacchino/Staff)

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TriMet will start bus service on three new lines Monday, including a north-south route expected to increase service in underserved east Portland.

The new lines are among the specific improvements the transit agency committed to make in 2015 and represent a significant investment in east Portland in particular.

The new lines come as the agency is poised to make more additions to its bus service in the tri-county area thanks to an influx of cash from the state transportation package approved in 2017 and a boost in payroll taxes levied on employers.

In addition to the new lines, TriMet is improving connections on a number of routes and adding morning and evening service on others.

On Wednesday, TriMet General Counsel Shelley Devine described the east Portland route as “highly anticipated and highly requested.”

Many frequent bus commuters don’t live in the central city, where access to frequent bus transit is better, and have been pushed out by housing prices and find themselves in areas where north-south connections are few and far between.

Here’s a look at some of the changes headed your way.

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Andrew Theen | The Oregonian/OregonLive

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Line 74-162nd Ave

This is perhaps the most coveted new bus service. Line 74 will run the length of 162nd Avenue from Northeast Airport Way to Southeast Powell.

The route is designed, TriMet said, to serve the “employment-rich Columbia Corridor.

Buses will run weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., arriving roughly every 30 to 35 minutes.

On Wednesday, the TriMet Board of Directors watched a video promoting the new line, and it featured Rosewood resident and transit activist Kem Marx.

But Marx told TriMet directors the line is “ineffective in serving the needs of people in east Portland,” and is being met by “an eye roll and a face palm” by residents in the area.

Marx said the bus needs to run earlier to serve employees’ needs and run on weekends, too.

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Andrew Theen | The Oregonian/OregonLive

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Line 42 - Denny/Hall

This route connects Beaverton Transit Center, Washington Square and Tigard Transit Center on the west side.

The 42 will add bus service to new areas of Southwest Denney Road and Southwest Hall Boulevard.

It will also run Monday through Friday, starting at 6:14 a.m. and ending at 6:24 p.m.

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Andrew Theen | The Oregonian/OregonLive

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Line 82 - South Gresham

This new route makes up part of the former Line 87/Airport Way/181st route. Riders will have access to grocery stories and outlets along the way in this part of Gresham. Service will be every 40 to 45 minutes on weekdays and run from 6:11 a.m. to 7:07 p.m., when the last bus heads west from Southeast 182nd Avenue.

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Mike Zacchino/Staff

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Other improvements/changes

Line 1 – Vermont: Adds morning and evening service.

Line 10 – Harold Street: Adds morning and evening service.

Line 20 – Burnside/Stark: Adds a stop at Gresham Transit Center

Line 33 – McLoughlin/King: Changes schedule to address wait and transfer times

Line 45 – Garden Home: Alters schedule to match traffic times

Line 52 – Farmington/185th: Adds a stop at Beaverton Transit Center

Line 71 – 60th Avenue: Adds morning and afternoon service in response to rider demands

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen

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