In early October, TriMet retail partners Fred Meyer, QFC and WinCo will transition to Hop Fastpass sales only and no longer sell paper TriMet tickets and passes. Albertsons and Safeway stores have already moved to Hop. All of TriMet’s retail partners will continue to sell paper tickets for LIFT paratransit service.
TriMet first announced plans for the retail transition to Hop-only sales in May. Hop offers an expanded network of almost 500 locations where riders can buy or load money on a Hop card. The Hop card allows benefits that paper fares cannot, such as getting the best fare without the upfront cost of a pass, only paying for the rides taken, easy reload options and lost-card protection.
Get to know Hop
Hop is an electronic fare system for riding transit throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Instead of a paper ticket or pass, simply pay fare by tapping a reusable Hop card at a Hop reader. The cost of a ride is then deducted from the card. Hop readers are located on board all TriMet and C-TRAN buses and the Portland Streetcar. For MAX Light Rail, WES Commuter Rail and C-TRAN’s the Vine, the Hop reader is located on the platform.
Why Hop?
Hop provides a number of benefits to riders, especially those on a budget.
Save as you ride
Hop eliminates the need to purchase day and month passes upfront. Instead earn them as you go. Once you reach the cost of a pass, the rest of the rides that day or month are free. You only pay for the rides you take and you always get the best fare.
Hop has many convenient ways to pay
- Hop card: Purchase a plastic Hop card at a local retailer or ticket office and load money on to it. Tap for every ride.
- Hop virtual card in Google Pay: Buy a virtual card at the Google Play store and load it into Google Pay. Tap the phone to a Hop reader and get all the benefits of a plastic Hop card.
- Mobile wallet: Pay fare with a bankcard stored in a Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay mobile wallet. While a great option for less frequent riders including tourists and visitors, users can only buy an Adult fare and do not get all the benefits of a Hop card.
- Contactless credit/debit card: Tap a contactless credit or debit card (with near field communication) to the card reader. As with the mobile wallet, you can only purchase an Adult fare and will not get all the benefits of a Hop card.
TriMet still accepts cash and paper tickets
Cash can still be used to buy fare onboard buses and at many TriMet ticket machines. TriMet will continue to accept paper tickets and passes for now, but Hop is the better way to pay. The TriMet Ticket Office in Pioneer Courthouse Square can convert unused paper tickets to Hop credit.
