TriMet Marks Completion of Next-Gen Type 6 MAX Fleet

TriMet, Portland, OR, has reached a major milestone in the modernization of its light rail system with the arrival of the final Type 6 MAX vehicle at the agency’s Ruby Junction rail operations facility. The delivery completes a two-year, 30-vehicle procurement that positions the agency for a more reliable, efficient, and rider-focused future.

Before entering revenue service, the new vehicle will undergo several weeks of rigorous dynamic testing—including at least 3,000 miles of out-of-service operation—to validate performance, braking, acceleration, and safety systems. The first Type 6 entered service in January 2025, and 22 are already carrying passengers, now accounting for approximately 15 percent of TriMet’s total MAX fleet.

“The arrival of the final Type 6 represents a major step toward a new era for our MAX system,” said Inessa Vitko, chief operations officer. “These trains are an investment in our region’s shared future—one that will continue to move our riders to opportunities safely and reliably for years to come, all while saving TriMet time and money to maintain our equipment.”

The Type 6 trains, manufactured by Siemens, replace aging Type 1 vehicles that have been in service for nearly 40 years—with some logging more than 2 million miles. Because parts for the original analog fleet had long since become unavailable, TriMet’s maintenance teams often had to fabricate replacement components in-house or salvage them from decommissioned cars—a challenge that underscored the urgency of modernizing the fleet.

By contrast, the new Type 6 models introduce advanced features designed to support safety, maintainability, and passenger comfort. These include onboard diagnostic systems that alert maintenance crews to potential issues before they arise, 360-degree security camera coverage, energy-efficient LED lighting, and digital information displays. For winter operations, heated ice cutters on each pantograph help prevent service disruptions by clearing or preventing ice buildup on overhead wires.

The fleet’s completion comes at a pivotal moment for the MAX system. TriMet recently finished its multi-year Better Red MAX Red Line Extension and Improvements project, and additional upgrades continue across the system. These include new wire-tensioning systems along older track segments and a complete renovation of the NE 82^nd Ave. MAX Station platform, expected to reopen by year’s end.

Once dynamic testing is complete, the final Type 6 train will be cleared for service across the MAX Blue, Green, Orange, Red, and Yellow lines. TriMet will continue operating the remaining Type 1 vehicles until the full Type 6 fleet is in service. While most Type 1 vehicles are being recycled, one—car 101—has been donated to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, preserving a piece of Portland’s transit history.

With the full Type 6 fleet now on the ground, TriMet is advancing toward a more modern, dependable MAX system built to meet the needs of riders today and for decades to come.