Happy 40th Birthday to Portland area’s MAX
PORTLAND, Ore.– It’s almost time to say happy 40th birthday, to a light rail system that’s become a major player in creating the Portland community. Saturday will marks 40 years since: “September 5th, 1986. Tens of thousands of people gathered in downtown Portland and in Gresham.”
TriMet’s Tyler Graf says since that celebration and its humble beginnings with that first 15-mile stretch into downtown Gresham, it’s expanded to 60 miles and five lines.
“Light rail in general has become this iconic feature of Portland. It’s hard to imagine the Portland of today being the same without the MAX.”
He says Portlanders have taken more than 950 million rides on MAX since 1986.
“Not only have people come to rely on it to get to school or get to work or go to Blazers or Timbers or Thorns games, but it’s just almost become like a mascot for the city.”