Ask TriMet: What Can I Take on Transit?

Oct 11, 2019

An actual question we get: Can I take my snake with me on the bus?

Don’t be alarmed if you’re afraid of snakes, but the answer is yes.

As with most things, the details matter. Animals on transit — snakes included —must be kept in a secure container, and they can’t disturb other passengers.

Transit connects us with our everyday lives and our communities. With more people going car-free, having the flexibility to take what we need on transit is important. But important, too, is knowing how to have those things on board.

When bringing items on transit, the Golden Rule is “respect the safety and personal space of others.” No matter the item, you need to make sure that it doesn’t block aisles, stairways or doorways. If a train car or bus is full, or if your item obstructs access or poses a safety risk, you might be asked to wait for the next vehicle to come along — or in some cases, not board at all. And as usual, please yield priority seating to seniors and people with disabilities.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of what you can and can’t bring on board, as well as those all-important details.

Bikes

We definitely encourage people to combine different types of transportation! And in most cases, we welcome bikes on board buses and trains. But there are few things to be aware of.

Acceptable bikes are two-wheeled devices with a single seat that are primarily pedal-powered. That means tandems, cargo bikes, tricycles and bikes with internal combustion engines are not allowed.

Recumbent bikes are welcome aboard as long as they’re about the same size as a standard bike. E-bikes with a sealed battery compartment are OK, too. Here’s more info about bikes on TriMet.

Personal scooters

You can bring your own scooters on board so long as they fold. We want to make sure aisles don’t get blocked and that scooters don’t roll into people while the bus is in motion.

Shared e-scooter (Lime, Bird, Spin, etc.)

Nope, sorry. They don’t fold, so we can’t have them on board. They are fun, though, so we’ve got a whole post on TriMetiquette with e-scooters.

Segways

Segways are permitted on both buses and trains if they are medically certified and registered as a mobility device. Those looking to register their devices can start the process by submitting a “General comment or question” with our customer service department. Make sure your registered device displays your TriMet-issued sticker.

Segways that are not mobility devices are allowed on low-floor MAX cars. But remember: You must remain with your Segway in the designated bike areas. Non-mobility device Segways are not allowed on buses or high-floor trains (the ones with stairs).

Other things on wheels (carts, bags, luggage, strollers)

Luggage is welcome aboard transit as long as it doesn’t block doors or aisles — just like being on an airplane. Wheeled items cannot be any larger than 18” wide, 18” long and 30” high (excluding wheels and handles).

On buses and high-floor trains, strollers need to be collapsed while vehicles are moving, and children must be out of the stroller.

Feathered, furred and scaled friends

Service animals — animals that perform a task or work for an individual with a disability — are always welcome on transit. Be aware: Emotional support and companion animals do not count as service animals. Here’s more information about what counts as a service animal.

You can bring non-service animal pets on board so long as they remain in an appropriately sized and secure container (that doesn’t block the exits or aisles) and can be transported without posing a risk to other riders.

Food

Keep your food under wraps and drinks in closed containers. We know you promise not to spill, but we’ve cleaned enough floors to know that accidents do still happen. Help keep spills at bay and keep our fleet clean — enjoy that burrito after you exit our vehicles.

Cans

We often hear riders asking whether cans are allowed on transit. As long as cans are clear of the aisles and doors, stay off the seats and have no foul smell, they are OK to bring on board.

Regardless of where you’re headed or what you’ve got in tow, be sure to check for all your belongings before you leave. As cool as your bike / scooter / pet is, we’d much rather you (and not our Lost and Found) keep them!

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