TriMet is saying that MAX riders should expect system-wide delays of up to 45 minutes on Saturday through 8:30 a.m.

An announcement on the agency's website says: "Limited MAX service now underway following a network issue. Expect system wide delays up to 45 minutes through 8:30 a.m. Shuttle buses may provide service in some sections while regular service is restored."

The problem can be traced to computer work performed between Friday night and Saturday mornig, said TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt.

Altstadt emailed this statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive:

Crews were doing some work on our computer network that wasn't expected to have an impact on processes. Unfortunately it did and cut off computer-aided communications between our Command Center and buses/trains. It also impacted our website, phones and some other systems. Once we were able to restore radio communications with our buses, we began bus service at about 5 a.m. It took longer to restore the system that helps controllers direct the safe movement of MAX trains on the alignment. Trains began leaving the rail yards in Gresham and Hillsboro shortly before 6:30 a.m. It does take some time for trains to get to certain sections of the alignment so we are still experiencing up to 45 minute delays in some areas at this time. We hope to minimize those delays by about 8:30 a.m. Shuttle buses are being used to augment service in some areas.

Ticket machines unable to process cards. Customers may not be able to load $ on Hop cards. Crews working to resolve network issue. — TriMet (@trimet) July 29, 2017

8:40am Update: MAX Green, Orange, Red, Yellow delayed up to 15 min thru 9:30am due to earlier network issues. — TriMet (@trimet) July 29, 2017

7:15a Update: Expect MAX delays up to 45 min thru 8:30am after network issue. Shuttles may provide service in some areas. — TriMet (@trimet) July 29, 2017

If you're using TriMet to come to the airport today, expect delays. MAX service is currently disrupted. https://t.co/5Lsni8peJP — flypdx (@flypdx) July 29, 2017

-- Allan Brettman