How to Pay Your Fare
On the bus
Using cash or an unvalidated ticket
Place your exact cash fare or unvalidated ticket in the farebox when you board. Fareboxes accept any combination of bills and coins (including $1 coins). The operator will give you a transfer receipt, which is good for at least 1 hour on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends. (It's your proof of payment, so keep it until you have completed your trip.)
Please note: Bus operators cannot make change.
Using a pass or validated (time-stamped) ticket
Show your pass or validated (time-stamped) ticket to the operator and have a seat. Do not place validated tickets in the farebox. (Check the expiration time at the top of your ticket; you may board any bus or train until that time.)
Using a bus transfer receipt
Show your transfer receipt to the operator and have a seat. (Check the expiration time at the top of your transfer; you may board until that time.)
Upgrading to All-Zone
If you have a 2-Zone ticket or pass, you can upgrade to an All-Zone fare by giving the bus operator 30 cents when you board.
On MAX
Using a ticket
There are no fareboxes onboard MAX. Before boarding, buy your ticket from a ticket machine or validate your previously purchased ticket in the validator located near the ticket machine. A validated ticket is your proof of payment, good for 2 hours on buses, MAX, WES Commuter Rail1, Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN1. Keep your ticket until you have completed your trip.
Using a pass or bus transfer receipt
If you have a TriMet pass or bus transfer receipt, just board MAX and have a seat. (Check the expiration time at the top of your transfer; you may board until that time.)
Upgrading to an All-Zone fare
Zone upgrades are only available on buses. If you have a 2-Zone ticket or pass, you can upgrade to an All-Zone fare by giving a bus operator 30 cents. The operator will give you an All-Zone transfer receipt.
On WES
Using a ticket
There are no fareboxes on board WES. Before boarding, buy your ticket from a ticket machine at the station or validate your previously purchased ticket in the validator located near the ticket machine. The ticket machines at WES stations accept debit/credit cards only. WES requires an All-Zone fare, so be sure to select "All Zones." A validated ticket is your proof of payment, good for 2 hours on buses, MAX, WES, Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN1. Keep your ticket until you have completed your trip. Be prepared to show the conductor your fare. He/she may check your fare as you board, or after the train leaves the station.
Using a pass or bus transfer receipt
If you have a TriMet pass or bus transfer receipt, just board WES and have a seat. (Check the expiration time at the top of your transfer; you may board until that time.) Be prepared to show the conductor your fare. He/she may check your fare as you board, or after the train leaves the station.
Upgrading to an All-Zone fare
Zone upgrades are only available on buses. If you have a 2-Zone ticket or pass, you can upgrade to an All-Zone fare by giving a bus operator 30 cents. The operator will give you an All-Zone transfer receipt.
Note: SMART (Wilsonville transit) fares are not valid on WES.
On the Portland Streetcar
Using cash or tickets
Place your cash fare in the farebox when you board to buy a ticket. Fareboxes on the Streetcar accept coins, $1 bills, $1 coins and $5 bills. Or, if you already have a ticket and you begin your trip on the Streetcar, stamp the ticket in the validator on board. A validated ticket is your proof of payment, good for 2 hours on buses, MAX and streetcars (not valid on Portland Aerial Tram). Keep your ticket until you have completed your trip.
Using a pass or bus transfer receipt
If you have a TriMet pass, bus transfer receipt or Streetcar Annual Pass, just board the Streetcar and have a seat. (Check the time torn at the top of your transfer; you may board until that time.)