The first of three new streetcars entered the "burn in" phase of testing this week, signaling the start of the final process to ready the vehicle for regular service. Three new streetcars were ordered in 2018 from Brookville Equipment Corporation in Pennsylvania and began arriving in Portland last fall.

Engineers, mechanics and safety personnel have been inspecting and testing the vehicles since their arrival to ensure safe and reliable operation. The last phase of the approval process to have the vehicles enter regular service is called "burn in," in which the vehicles operate on the system without passengers for a period of a couple weeks to ensure they are ready to be used in daily operations.

Once that process is completed and the all three vehicles enter service, it will allow for greater frequency and reliability for streetcar riders.

The first Art on Board art exhibition of the year has been installed on Portland Streetcar, featuring work by local artist Salomée Souag. "Interdependence" is featured on the side of a streetcar for the next several months, continuing Portland Streetcar's mission to provide a rolling canvas that brightens our community will supporting local artists.

Souag's work and more information can be found on her website and Instagram.

A statement from the artist:

My name is Salomée Souag. I’m a self-taught artist from Switzerland, now living and working in Portland, OR. I weave my queer and multicultural identities within my work, as well as my Peruvian and Algerian ancestors. My art grapples with place, identity, change, social systems, colonialism, and injustice. I initiate projects promoting inclusivity, access, and career opportunities through commissioned murals and collaborative spaces. An extension of my work that is actively bringing people together, re-distributing resources, telling untold stories, providing access and visibility.

The 2024 Portland Winter Light Festival kicks off February 2, and we're once again celebrating with free streetcar rides after 5:00 p.m. each day of the event.

With several installations accessible by streetcar--and many more around town--the WLF will illuminate the city from February 2-10. Streetcar rides will be free every evening to help Portlanders access and enjoy this magical event.

The Winter Light Festival brings illuminated art installations to the community during the darker months of winter, inviting Portlanders to experience the power that light can bring and see familiar places in different ways.

Portland Streetcar is proud to continue participating in this annual event by offering free rides for attendees to visit multiple sites and take in all they can at the 2024 Winter Light Festival.


Sing your way out of the winter blues with...the blues! On Saturday, December 16, from 1-4 p.m., we're partnering with the Waterfront Blues Festival to bring holiday caroling to the streetcar!

Musicians will provide festive favorites on NS Line streetcars between Portland State University and NW 23rd Avenue, with a chance for some lucky riders to win free passes to the 2024 Waterfront Blues Festival.

If you were looking to find time to finish up your holiday shopping, join us Saturday for some holiday cheer as we sing the blues!

Our regional partners at TriMet are expanding the Honored Citizen fare program to include active and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces to thank them for their bravery and sacrifice. This new fare option will allow the region to provide ongoing recognition of the service and commitment made by members of the military in our community.

Honored Citizen fares are currently available to seniors, riders with disabilities, and low-income riders--ensuring they pay no more than $28 per month with Hop Fastpass™. Adding veterans and active-duty service members to the program will allow them to ride transit more affordably to meet their daily needs.

TriMet is the first large transit agency in the nation to offer a reduced fare for both veterans and active duty service members.