Kids love buses and trains! (And we love kids.) If you’re bringing children with you on TriMet, here are some helpful tips:
Kid-friendly fares
- Kids under 7 ride free with a paying passenger.
- Reduced fares are available to kids ages 7–17.
- To pay for kids ages 7-17, you have four options:
- Option 1: Get a reloadable plastic Hop card for each child at the grocery store or from the Hop card machine at the MAX/WES station (select the “Youth” card to receive the reduced fare). Have each of your kids tap their card on the Hop reader as they board.
- Option 2: Add virtual Hop cards for each child to your phone’s mobile wallet (select the “Youth” option to receive the reduced fare). Tap your phone on the Hop reader once for each child, using their respective Hop card in your mobile wallet. (You will be tapping once for each rider, but using a different Hop card each time. Hop readers don’t accept repeated taps from the same card.)
- Option 3: If your child has a phone, they can add a virtual Hop card to their mobile wallet (select the “Youth” option to receive the reduced fare). Or they can use a credit/debit card in their mobile wallet (however, they will be charged the full Adult fare). Have your child tap their phone on the Hop reader as they board.
Strollers on board
- You’re welcome to bring a stroller on buses and trains, but there may not always be room on board.
- We recommend using a folding “umbrella” style stroller. Large and double-wide strollers are not practical for use on TriMet.
- You can board the bus with your child in the stroller, and your baby or toddler may remain in the stroller if there is space in the priority seating area.
- The stroller should be positioned so that the child faces the rear of the bus and any applicable wheel locks must be secured. Make sure your stroller is not creating an obstacle for other riders. You must keep your stroller with you and it can't block the aisle, stairs or doorway.
Safety reminders
- Keep your kids close to make sure you don’t accidentally get separated.
- Never cross the street in front of a bus unless it’s stopped at a light. Look both ways when walking past the front of the bus to cross another lane of traffic.
- Cross MAX tracks only at designated pedestrian crossings. MAX, WES and streetcars are relatively quiet, so be sure to remove headphones and listen carefully. Always look both ways before crossing the tracks, as trains may be approaching from either direction.
- Make sure kids don’t run or play at the MAX station or near the tracks. Ask them to stay well behind the white bumpy tiles until the train comes to a complete stop.