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Portland Airport Max opens: The MAX Red Line started public service at noon on Monday 10 September after an opening ceremony earlier in the morning. The Red Line runs every 15 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. seven days a week, providing the region with a quick, convenient and inexpensive way to travel to the Airport. The trip from Portland to the airport takes 38 minutes with a single fare of USD1.55. The terminus in Portland is opposite the Central Library and near Portland Streetcar stops. The airport end is close to the baggage claim area and the escalators to the ticket counters.

Although Tri-Met does not permit long term parking at any of its park-and-ride stops it is providing Kiss + Ride drop off areas at six stations served by the Red Line.

By September 2002, Tri-Met expects the Red Line to be carrying some 2,300 passengers per weekday. By comparison, planners for the Portland Streetcar in 1996 anticipated 2,700 riders per day, but rough counts since it went into service July 20 put streetcar ridership at 6,000 to 8,000 per day after six weeks of operation.

This week Tri-Met planned celebrations which included giving out our special "Take MAX to the Airport" MAX Passes, which would give the possibility to win airline flights. Entertainment was planned at the Airport for the weekend 15-16 September but with the terrible terrorist attacks in the US and the suspension of flights the airport is closed and the celebrations are cancelled.
12 September 2001

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