TriMet makes it safe and easy to get to and from Portland’s “most famous New Year’s Eve party”. Portland’s Champagne Ball rings in the New Year at the Hilton Portland Downtown, which is located along the Transit Mall at 921 SW 6th Avenue. It’s also just two blocks from Pioneer Courthouse Square, which means the Champagne Ball is just steps away from all five MAX Light Rail lines, and more than 15 bus lines. Take advantage of TriMet’s free New Year’s Eve service to get there. Free rides begin at 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31 through 3 a.m. January 1. During those hours, just hop on any TriMet bus, MAX train or Portland Streetcar to travel safely to your destination.
Take transit to Portland’s Champagne Ball and help support a charitable cause. A portion of the Champagne Ball proceeds benefit Oregon Active, a non-profit that provides adventure therapy for people with disabilities and other life challenging conditions. The New Year’s Eve celebration returns for its 28th year, offering a night of live music, DJs, themed party rooms, 18 bars, food, party favors and a video countdown on three separate dance floors. Arrive on your TriMet bus or train, toast the New Year, and make it home safely after midnight with TriMet’s extended late-night MAX service. Some bus lines, including the 24-hour lines 20 and 57, offer late night service as well.
MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow lines will run on weekday schedules, with late-night, extended service running every 30-35 minutes. The last trains will be leaving Downtown Portland about 3 a.m.
MAX Red Line will also run on weekday schedules, with the last trip of the night to Portland International Airport leaving Pioneer Square South MAX Station at 12:44 a.m. Shuttle buses will be available after that to take riders from Gateway Transit Center (accessible via Blue and Green Line trains) to Red Line stations in NE Portland until about 3:30 a.m. The last train leaving from the Pioneer Square North Station to Beaverton Transit Center is at 1:06 a.m.
TriMet’s free apps and online tools make taking TriMet easy, especially when you don’t have to pay fare during the free New Year’s Eve service hours. Our maps and schedules show you where TriMet buses and MAX trains travel, and our Trip Planner has step-by-step instructions to and from destinations across TriMet’s service area. Be sure to select January 1, 2019 for trips after midnight. Need extra help planning your New Year’s Eve ride? Trimet’s Rider Support team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via text message at 503-238-7433 and on Twitter at @trimethelp. You can also call them daily between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 503-238-RIDE (7433), or reach them online at support.trimet.org.
Also, remember to be safe. Stay alert and pay attention around buses, trains and other vehicles. Be respectful of operators and other riders, and please do not be disruptive on board. If you see something suspicious, alert a TriMet employee, security officer or contact 9-1-1. If you cannot safely make a voice call, text 9-1-1.