Ask TriMet: Where Can I Find Service Alerts?

If knowledge is power, then service alerts are powerful indeed.

A timely alert can be the difference between a quick trip adjustment and a potentially long slog to your destination. That’s why we put a lot of effort into providing accurate service information.

Are you taking advantage of it?

During prime commute times, we post alerts when MAX or WES is delayed 10 minutes or more. Other times of the day, we post when delays are greater than 15 minutes. Delays shorter than that will usually resolve themselves before alerts can get posted.

Buses are a little different. Because one bus on a route can be significantly delayed while all the others are on schedule, we post alerts when buses on a line are being detoured and are skipping a specific stop (or stops). We also post alerts for bus lines on the rare occasion there are major delays that affect the entire route.

There are five ways to get service alerts, each of which will provide you essentially the same information.

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Email

You can sign up to get service alerts sent your email. We have an email list for every MAX and bus line, plus WES, Portland Streetcar, and elevators.

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Text

You can also get service alerts texted to your phone. Like email, you can sign up to receive alerts for any MAX or bus line, WES, Portland Streetcar, or elevators.

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Twitter

Our service alerts are published on the @trimetalerts Twitter feed.

Minor bus stop closures and bus line detours are not usually posted on Twitter. And our main Twitter account — @trimet — and our customer service account — @trimethelp — do not post service alerts. (Occasionally they will share service info when we are trying to reach as many people as possible during a major disruption.)

We do not post service information on Facebook, Instagram or any other social network. On rare occasions, we will use them for emergency communications about major system-wide issues.

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Online at trimet.org/alerts

All our active service alerts can be found at trimet.org/alerts — you can navigate to this page via the “Service Alerts” icon near the top of our homepage. This is the best place to find information about current disruptions and any long-term delays, such as a bus stop that has been closed or relocated due to construction.

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Our sign system

Most MAX stations and some major bus stations have digital screens with real-time arrival information. These signs will also display service alerts. For long-term disruptions or closures and re-routes we have advanced notice of, you’ll usually also see a physical sign with the service update.