TriMet to launch new vending machines to improve access to Hop Fastpass fare cards

The touchscreen machines will make Hop cards available at stations and replace Hop tickets

TriMet will be rolling out a more convenient way to purchase and reload Hop fare cards beginning Tuesday, Dec. 3, with the introduction of new touchscreen vending machines at five locations. They will allow riders to buy and reload plastic Hop cards at MAX stations and transit centers rather than the single-day-use Hop tickets dispensed by ticket vending machines today.

With the introduction of the transit fare card machines, riders will have a more convenient way to buy a Hop card or reload their card using cash or a credit or debit card.

Following an initial pilot of the new Hop card machines, running through early 2025, we plan to start replacing all ticket machines across the MAX system in February 2025 as we phase out our ticket vending machines to help improve reliability.

New Hop fare card machines: What you need to know

The first of the new machines will be installed at five locations: Willow Creek Transit Center, Beaverton Transit Center, Rose Quarter Transit Center, Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport. While installation of the machines will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 20, they will not be ready for riders to use until Dec. 3.

The machines will offer Adult as well as Honored Citizen cards (those that people 65 and older or who receive Medicare use) and Youth fare. All new cards purchased cost $3, but once you have the card in hand, there are no additional service fees. Simply reload at one of the machines or online at myhopcard.com. Card holders also have the option of setting up auto reload.

Using Hop card machines in 6 simple steps

The new Hop card vending machines will come with an updated look and more options for riders. We know this will be a change for riders. That's why we're here to walk you through how they work:

1. Touch the screen to start: Press anywhere on the screen to start when you see the screensaver.
2. Choose "buy" or "reload": Select "Buy a new Hop card" if you need one or "Reload your Hop card" if you already have one. If you're buying a new Hop card, once purchased, it will drop into the bin at the bottom of the machine.
3. Load or reload your card: To load the new card or reload an existing Hop card, tap your card on the reader below the screen.
4. Select your load amount: Choose from quick-loading options or load any amount between $1.40 and $250.
5. Complete payment: Follow the prompts to pay using cash, debit or credit card-or a contactless card on your mobile device.
6. Tap Every Time You Ride: Remember, tapping the Hop reader each time you board or transfer is your proof of payment.

TriMet will have personnel on hand at the stations and transit centers during the initial launch to help guide riders through the process if they have questions.

To improve accessibility, the machines offer Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian and Simplified Chinese language options. For visually impaired riders, audio instructions are available, and the buttons and labels are marked in Braille and raised letters.

The first five machines are part of a pilot. We will make any needed adjustments before we begin adding the Hop card machines to more MAX stations and transit centers in February as we phase out ticket vending machines in 2025.

Improving convenience and Hop card accessibility

Buying Hop cards directly at MAX stations or transit centers will be a more convenient option. Currently, reloadable Hop cards are available at hundreds of supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores throughout the metro area. But with Hop card machines at stations, riders will have access to the cards when and where they need them most with an easy reload option, especially for those using cash or a payment card. In all, 169 of the machines will be added to locations across the MAX system.

Hop gives riders control over how they ride with peace of mind, knowing they're never overpaying. You never have to pay more than the cost of a day pass for a single day or a month pass for a calendar month.

For people with a disability or who qualify for Honored Citizen Fare based on income or military status, you must apply in advance to receive an Honored Citizen photo ID Hop card.

Why switch from tickets to cards?

The introduction of Hop card vending machines will mean the retirement of our paper Hop tickets sold at platforms. While these machines have been serving us well for decades, the machines are obsolete, with parts no longer made. The new transit fare card machines will be more reliable and give riders more options. Using the machines, they will be able to quickly buy or reload a card using credit/debit cards or cash.

The old machines only issue tickets that cannot be reused after a day, leading to extra waste. They also lack the monthly fare-capping benefits of Hop cards, where riders never pay more than $100 for standard Adult Fare or $28 for reduced Honored Citizen/Youth fare in a calendar month. Paper Hop tickets will still be available at our Customer Support Center and on TriMet buses for riders who pay with cash.

No Hop card? Here's how to pay your fare.

Riders without Hop cards will still be able to purchase adult fare -$2.80 for 2 ½ hours or $5.60 for all day -by tapping a contactless payment card or their mobile wallet on a green Hop reader. If you use the same fare payment device throughout the day and month to pay adult fare, you will receive the same fare-capping benefits as a Hop card user and never pay more than $5.60 per day or $100 in a month. If you ride often, a Hop card provides lost card protection and an auto-reload option.

For more information, visit trimet.org/cardmachine.

Reduced fare programs available

Since 2018 when TriMet first extended our Honored Citizen reduced fare to Oregonians who qualify based on income, more than 65,000 people have enrolled. They benefit from discounts of up to 72% on monthly fares, helping ensure that cost is not a barrier for those who need to ride. The Honored Citizen reduced fare program is also open to people age 65 and older along with people on Medicare, people with disabilities and active and former military members.

TriMet's support for riders struggling financially extends beyond the Honored Citizen reduced fare to our Access Transit Programs. We partner with local nonprofits and community organizations to provide free fares to those most in need. For more information about our Access Transit programs, visit trimet.org/accesstransit.

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