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1/20/2025
The first riders hopped on board TriMet’s new Type 6 MAX trains last week, signaling another major advancement in Portland, Oregon's light-rail system.
Two of the new vehicles, paired to create one train, rolled out of TriMet’s Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility on Jan. 16 to meet riders for the morning commute, TriMet officials said in a press release.
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. The Type 6 trains are the first to not enter 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.
The newest MAX trains look similar to the Type 5 vehicles introduced in 2015 when the MAX Orange Line opened. Both are manufactured by Siemens Mobility. The two types are the same length and width, and feature the blue and orange stripes on the exterior.
The trains' differences are notable on the inside, however. The Type 6 vehicles feature video-enabled destination screens, improved lighting and temperature control, predictive maintenance for reliability and an advanced security system.