Find out which outer East Portland routes changed, and how to plan your next trip …
TriMet buses sit parked in an outer East Portland lot, as the agency reshapes routes and schedules in response to shifting ridership and budgets.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
TriMet put a new round of service changes into effect on 33 transit lines across the Portland metropolitan area, including MAX and bus routes that serve outer East Portland.
The adjustments, many of which took effect on Sunday, August 23, ranged from shortened light rail service to reworked bus routes and reduced trips, as the agency responded to a big deficit and changes in ridership usage patterns.
-2 TriMet Manager of Media Relations Tia York meets with riders at an earlier community meeting in outer East Portland as she walks riders through upcoming changes to MAX and bus service.
TriMet Manager of Media Relations Tia York characterized the changes as part of a broader effort to keep buses and trains running where they are most needed. “We’re making targeted adjustments that reflect how people are riding transit now,” York explained, “while still working to provide reliable connections for riders in outer East Portland.”
Shorter MAX Green Line; new links by bus
At the Gateway Transit Center, a MAX Green Line train awaits departure to the Clackamas terminus as riders adjust to TriMet’s updated routes and schedules.
York pointed out that one of the most visible changes for riders in East Portland involves MAX. MAX Green Line is now shortened, and runs between the Clackamas Town Center and the Gateway Transit Center. “MAX Green Line continues to provide Frequent Service, with trains arriving every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day,” York emphasized.
For trips that used to continue straight through to Downtown Portland, York encouraged riders to plan ahead. “We’re asking people to visit ‘trimet.org’ and plan a trip, to see the best alternatives,” she advised. “Bus lines, or a combination of bus and MAX, are among the options for traveling between Clackamas Town Center and Downtown Portland.”
September schedule changes to FX2-Division line
These extra-long ‘FX2-Division’ 60-foot articulated (“bendy”) buses now run at reduced evening frequency.
In a schedule update effective September 6, evening service reductions and adjustments have been made to maintain network efficiency.
Key recent updates for the FX2-Division line include:
Evening Frequency Reductions: Evening service after 7:00 p.m. runs at reduced frequencies (every 24 to 35 minutes instead of the daytime 12-minute intervals), a change enacted to address agency budget gaps.
Daytime Service: Daytime buses generally continue to arrive about every 12 minutes, though minor adjustments are made periodically to improve connection reliability.
Line 19 and Line 4 reshaped to serve hospitals and Lents Town Center
One of the bus lines most familiar to outer East Portland riders, Line 19, kept an important part of its mission in Northeast Portland. “We maintained Line 19 along Northeast Glisan Street, serving Providence Portland Medical Center,” York outlined. At the same time, TriMet combined Line 19 with Line 58 on the west side.
The new route, Line 19–Glisan/Canyon Rd, now runs between the Beaverton and Gateway transit centers. “Both weekday and weekend service were reduced,” York acknowledged, reflecting lower demand along parts of the corridor.
In Southeast Portland, the old Line 19 routing is now blended with Line 4 to better match where people are riding now. York explained that the agency adjusted service east of SE 52nd Avenue “to provide more service to growing areas along Woodstock Boulevard and Lents Town Center.” Between Downtown Portland and Lents Town Center, buses on the combined route arrive about every 30 minutes for most of the day on weekdays and weekends.
Elsewhere on the line, Line 4 retains Frequent Service, with buses arriving every 15 minutes or better for most of the day, every day.
To reflect the new pattern, TriMet renamed the route. “The line’s new name is Line 4–Fessenden/Woodstock,” York said.
Some bus changes in inner Southeast Portland affect the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood.
Line 10 shifts to keep a school connection; covers lost Line 19 segments
Some of the Line 19 changes raised questions about students and special programs, especially in Southeast Portland. York stressed that TriMet has worked to preserve key educational connections. “In Southeast Portland, where Line 19 served PPS’s Community Transition Program, we shifted Line 10 to maintain a direct connection for students.”
Line 10 was also extended on SE 52nd Avenue to pick up parts of the previous Line 19 service. The route now covers SE Duke Street between 52nd and 72nd Avenues, as well as segments on SE Flavel Street.
However, not all of the news involves more coverage. “Some service on Line 10, including evening and weekend service, was eliminated due to low ridership,” York acknowledged. She pointed out that “other bus lines provide alternative service on SE Foster and 136th,” giving riders options even as some trips were trimmed. The line’s new name is “Line 10–Steele”.
Line 40 picks up Cleveland High school trips to Lents, and a MAX Green Line alternative
Farther south and east, Line 40 took on a bigger role, especially for students and commuters traveling between SE Portland and Clackamas County. York explained that TriMet extended Line 40 to replace weekday service on Line 34 between the SE Tacoma/Johnson Creek Park & Ride, and Clackamas Town Center. “Buses arrive about every 60 minutes.”
TriMet bus Line 40 now feeds the Fuller Road MAX Station.
With Cleveland High School students temporarily relocated to East Portland during construction, TriMet added focused trips to help families adjust. “Because Cleveland High School is being rebuilt and students are now traveling to the Marshall Campus on SE 91st Avenue, we’ve added one morning and one afternoon weekday trip on Line 40 to the Fuller Road MAX Station,” York reported. “This provides a connection between SE Portland and the MAX Green Line, so students have multiple options, during school construction.”
Line 40 now also doubles as another link in place of the former, longer MAX Green Line path. “Line 40 provides an hourly, weekday, one-seat alternative to the former MAX Green Line trip between Clackamas Town Center and Downtown Portland,” York explained.
Be sure to check your route with TriMet before planning your next trip on public transit.
Planning your next trip
For riders across outer East Portland, the combination of MAX Green Line changes, reworked bus lines, and targeted reductions means trip planning has become more important.
York encouraged riders to stay current. “A full list of changes that began August 23, with detailed descriptions, before and after maps and schedules, is available on our website,” she pointed out. “We want people to check their routes, see what’s new, and find the best options for their regular trips.”
For more information, go to the official TriMet site: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
