i

The Portland Streetcar in the Pearl District.

Portland Streetcar

The Portland Streetcar carries passengers through downtown, the Pearl District and more.

Updated Nov. 21, 2024 2 min read

In 2001, City of Roses built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar. The original line, now known as the NS line, travels through downtown from Portland State University to the Nob Hill neighborhood via the popular shopping and dining area of the Pearl District.

Two lines, the A Loop and the B Loop, were also recently opened and provide service across the city’s newest bridge, Tilikum Crossing. The A Loop runs clockwise and connects the east and west sides of the city through the Pearl District, Broadway Bridge, Lloyd, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Tilikum Crossing, and Portland State University. The B Loop passes through the same locations but moves counter-clockwise.

Hours & Frequency

The streetcar operates from about 6 a.m. to about 11 p.m., with some variance between the difference loops and lines. The streetcar runs approximately every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sunday. Arrival times are posted on real-time electronic signs at most streetcar stops. View a more detailed schedule.

Fares & How to Pay

• As of 2024, an adult streetcar-only ticket costs $2 for 2.5 hours. They can be purchased at ticketing kiosks at the stations or via the Hop Fastpass (learn more below).
• Riders can also purchase tickets that are valid on light-rail trains and TriMet buses, as well as the streetcar. The adult fares for these tickets cost $2.80 for 2.5 hours or $5.60 for all-day. The youth and senior tickets cost $1.40 for 2.5 hours or $2.80 for an all-day pass.
• Riders can use Hop Fastpass, an electronic fare payment system launched by TriMet in 2017. Hop cards can be purchased for $3 at TriMet’s ticket office or at local retailers and grocery stores — they can be reloaded using the platform’s mobile app or at local stores. To use a Hop Fastpass, tap the card on a designated card reader each time you board the MAX Light Rail, streetcar or bus.
• You can also pay with cash or purchase adult fares using your mobile phone’s wallet function (Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay).
• Fare boxes on the streetcars accept coins and $1 and $5 dollar bills.
• Tickets purchased on TriMet buses and MAX light rail are accepted on the streetcar.
• Yellow validator boxes on the cars can be used to validate pre-purchased TriMet tickets.