Portland Streetcar is accessible to everyone:

Every Streetcar is equipped with bridgeplates in the low floor section of the car, which makes for easy wheelchair boarding. The low floor section of each car is spacious to allow maneuverability. All streetcars are air-conditioned. Reader boards and audio announcements indicate the next stop. In case of an emergency, use the intercom to talk to the operator.

Wait in view of the Streetcar operator

Wait in the middle of the boarding platform where the Streetcar operator can see you. That way the operator can deploy the boarding ramp as soon as the train stops, which helps save time. For your safety, be sure to stay behind the bumpy tiles.

Look for the door equipped with a ramp.
The boarding ramp is marked with the blue accessibility symbol.

Press the blue button to deploy the ramp

You can deploy the ramp yourself at any time by pressing the blue button on the side of the train in the low-floor section of the car. If the doors are already open, they will close and the ramp will deploy. (Pressing the yellow button will open the doors without deploying the ramp.)


Wait for the ramp to deploy, then board
Wait behind the bumpy tiles on the board platform while the ramp extends. The doors will reopen and you can board the train. (The ramp will retract automatically when the doors close.)

Each car has two accessible areas

Inside each ramped door are two large open areas marked as priority seating for seniors or passengers with disabilities. It is not necessary to secure mobility devices on the Streetcar.

In case of emergency, use the intercom

To talk with the Streetcar operator in an emergency, use the blue intercom located near each ramped door. Push the yellow button on the blue intercom. An alarm will sound, then the operator will ask about the emergency.

Push on the ramp request strip

Before the Streetcar arrives at your stop, push on the blue ramp request strip located near the grab bar, or push the blue ramp request button next to the doors. When the train stops the operator will deploy the ramp for you, and you can deboard.

Service Animals on Streetcar

Service animals (guide dogs and companion animals only) are welcome on the Portland Streetcar.
Click Here for detailed information about service animals.

Streetcar Service Information

Portland Streetcar provides information for groups or individuals interested in learning how to access service information and how to board and exit Streetcars using a mobility device.
Please call 503-823-2900 for accessibility information.

Streetcar Accessibility Commitments

• Work with several groups to improve accessibility.
• Installation is complete on new bridgeplates that are longer and wider.
• Design changes have been made to remove beveled edge and bump on entry for bridgeplate.
• 3” stop identification letters on the shelters have been installed.
• Raised letters and Braille on shelters have been installed.
• Braille for identification on ticket machine and emergency door button has been installed.
• Accessible route direction signage has been installed.

Streetcar Accessibility Issues Pending Funding Requests:

• Replacement of Nextbus reader boards to show proper contrast.
• Stop indicator reader board on vehicles.