All aboard! First of TriMet’s newest MAX trains – ‘the Type 6’ – start serving riders

Two of the new vehicles entered regular service for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 16

The first riders hopped on board TriMet's new "Type 6" MAX trains on Thursday, Jan. 16, signaling another major advancement in our light rail system.

Two of the new vehicles, paired together to create one train, rolled out of TriMet's Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility at 6:06 a.m. to meet riders for the morning commute. In total, 30 new vehicles will enter service in the months ahead, operating on all five MAX lines. As TriMet's most advanced trains, the Type 6s are part of an overall effort to boost reliability and the rider experience.

TriMet is excited to introduce the new trains. Before service, each one undergoes thousands of miles of testing to ensure they will provide a safe and reliable ride. With these trains being our most advanced, they require an even more exacting level of attention.

The Type 6 trains hold another notable first. They're the first that are not entering service alongside an extension of the MAX system. That has been the norm since TriMet introduced the MAX system in 1986. Testing took place after hours, during regular service and during a short disruption in June 2024.

Better rides, more reliability

Video-enabled destination screens: On the ceiling are digital destination displays, enhanced by graphics and video. Not only do they show the station the train is approaching, they're capable of displaying special messages and video packages. By using improved accessibility features, riders will have more information available to them as they ride.

Improved lighting and temperature control: New LED lights around the doors indicate when they're available for boarding and getting off trains. The lights will display in green when a door is available, red when not available and flash yellow when the doors are operating to provide better visual aids for riders. Improved temperature controls will help the trains stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Predictive maintenance for reliability: One thing riders may not notice - at least not at first - is the ability to use predictive maintenance to improve the trains' reliability. Sensors in the trains will communicate digitally with our maintenance teams, giving them better information to troubleshoot and solve issues before they occur.

Advanced security system: On board security cameras are better, too. They will provide clearer pictures and feature wireless data for remote downloading of footage.

Here's another way to know you're on a Type 6: Check the train number! Every Type 6 is labeled with a three-digit number that starts with 6. From the outside of the train, you'll see the number on the top near the light and on both sides of the vehicle. Inside, the train number is displayed on both ends near the operator cab

Introducing a better MAX

The new Type 6 trains are an investment in the future, as light rail vehicles typically last for decades. The Type 1s are evidence of this, serving the MAX system for nearly 40 years.

Introduction of the Type 6 means our first generation MAX trains will retire. They have been a reliable source of transportation for riders across the MAX system since 1986, a 39-year period where some of the trains have surpassed 2 million miles. That's the equivalent of about 80 trips around the Earth's equator!

The decommissioning process for the Type 1s began when the first Type 6 trains began arriving for their extensive testing period. TriMet will continue phasing out our original Type 1 vehicles in 2025. Not only have the trains exceeded their lifespan, parts for the vehicles are no longer available.

TriMet plans to donate one of the Type 1 trains to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, Ore., for preservation.

Improving the overall system

TriMet has been working on ways to reduce travel times and improve the overall rider experience on MAX. This is achieved through investments in technology and personnel, along with improvements projects that keep the MAX system running reliably. Recently, the multi-year A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability project was completed, with the extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro opening to riders on Aug. 28, 2024.

Along with major reliability projects aimed at improving the light rail system, TriMet has also invested in enhanced cleaning efforts focused on our MAX system. Our Clean Team is out every day, power washing, removing graffiti, picking up litter and more to make our facilities feel safe and welcoming.

We've also added more safety and security personnel than ever before, along with other safety resources, such as our Security Operation Center and blue-light security phones, for reporting issues. Remember, you can always text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to report suspicious or illegal behavior.

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