We get it — in a city with weather this moody, we love to wear all black too. We’re not going to tell you to wear reflective clothing every time you want to ride, but do make sure you’re standing in a visible (and safe) location. Be aware that some times of the day or weather conditions can make it especially hard to be seen, so wave your hands or your phone’s flashlight if you need to.

There are a lot of things that can delay a bus: traffic, an on-board incident, passengers who need more time to board. If a bus gets too delayed, it starts to interfere with other buses and we need to take action…which unfortunately means skipping stops. The good news? There’s probably another bus right behind it. And more good news: that next bus will likely be less crowded than the delayed one. This is another reason you’ll see a “Drop Off Only” message.

There’s nothing worse than spotting the bus in the distance and getting excited, only to see “Not in Service,” “Garage” or “TriMet is Hiring” written across the top. That bus might be heading home for the day, going to get refueled, or sneaking off on an important mission. Be patient, your scheduled bus is still on its way.  Check Transit Tracker to see when it’ll arrive.

This one is a bit embarrassing but yes, mistakes do happen. Sometimes it’s because a driver is new to the route. Other times they just plain didn’t see a stop (nobody’s perfect, after all). If you think this might be the case, please let us know by contacting the Help Center. 

If it’s snowy or icy and your bus stop is on a slope, it may not be possible for the bus operator to safely stop without sliding. In this case, make your way to a stop at the top (or bottom) of the slope, where the driver can safely stop. If you need help, give us a call/text at 503-238- RIDE (7433).