How to get from PDX to Salem for under $5
Feb 3, 2009 | 2:37 pm
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
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How to get from PDX to Salem for under $5
Oregon's first "heavy rail" commuter line opened this week. The West Side Express links Wilsonville to Beaverton. Here's a link to the schedule and map:
http://trimet.org/schedules/r203.htm
At the north end of the route you can transfer to the Blue and Red light rail lines. It's a free transfer: A 2-hour All Zone ticket ($2.30) will cover you on both the West Side Express and the light rail. The Blue Line connects west to Hillsboro and east to downtown Portland and Gresham. The Red Line connects to downtown Portland and PDX airport.
On the south end, you can transfer to the SMART 1X bus to Salem. ($2.50) The upshot is you can ride all the way from the PDX airport to Salem for $4.80. This is much cheaper than the HUT Shuttle ($35 each way). It is also cheaper than the combination of light rail and Amtrak ($14.30 and up, plus a 6-block transfer btw light rail and Amtrak).
However, the light rail/commuter rail/SMART bus trifecta will take you more than 2 1/2 hours, and only works M-F during peak travel times. But if you have the patience, it's a very cheap alternative.
http://trimet.org/schedules/r203.htm
At the north end of the route you can transfer to the Blue and Red light rail lines. It's a free transfer: A 2-hour All Zone ticket ($2.30) will cover you on both the West Side Express and the light rail. The Blue Line connects west to Hillsboro and east to downtown Portland and Gresham. The Red Line connects to downtown Portland and PDX airport.
On the south end, you can transfer to the SMART 1X bus to Salem. ($2.50) The upshot is you can ride all the way from the PDX airport to Salem for $4.80. This is much cheaper than the HUT Shuttle ($35 each way). It is also cheaper than the combination of light rail and Amtrak ($14.30 and up, plus a 6-block transfer btw light rail and Amtrak).
However, the light rail/commuter rail/SMART bus trifecta will take you more than 2 1/2 hours, and only works M-F during peak travel times. But if you have the patience, it's a very cheap alternative.
