TriMet to phase out paper, mobile app tickets by New Year’s Day

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    Portland (KPTV) — Starting in 2020, TriMet riders will not be able to use paper or mobile app tickets.

Dec. 31 will be the last time you can use the old-style paper tickets or mobile app tickets. After then, riders will have to use the Hop Fastpass card.

The transition to the Hop Fastpass card has been going on for months, but now riders have only until the end of December to exchange paper tickets at the TriMet ticket office at Pioneer Courthouse Square, or mail in the old tickets and get the value put on a Hop Fastpass card.

“So now is the time for people to check throughout the house junk drawer in the kitchen or old backpack you shoved into the closet. Anywhere you may have squirreled away some of these old TriMet tickets,” said TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt.

TriMet says the new Hop Fastpass cards save riders money because they only pay for the rides they take.

Already, $630,000 in old tickets have been turned in and exchanged for the new Hop Fastpass cards.

To mark the agency’s 50th year, TriMet will randomly be giving away 50 commemorative anniversary Hop Fastpass cards at Pioneer Courthouse Square during ticket exchanges Wednesday morning.

Another big announcement on Tuesday: TriMet is offering a deal for night rides on New Year’s Eve.

Beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, all TriMet buses, MAX and the Portland Streetcar will be free for riders.

Besides the free rides, TriMet is extending late night MAX service until about 3 a.m. New Year’s Day.

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