Portland's TriMet commuter trains face repeated delays due to passenger drug use on board: report

Each time an instance of drug use is reported, passengers are asked to exit, and the train is aired out for at least fifteen minutes.

ADVERTISEMENT
Image
Jarryd Jaeger Vancouver, BC
ADVERTISEMENT
A new report conducted by KATU has found that Portland, Oregon TriMet MAX trains have been delayed countless times due to passengers using, or being suspected of using, drugs while onboard.

The report found that users were getting high on everything from marijuana to fentanyl during their journeys, and that each time a suspected incident took place, it resulted in lengthy delays for other passengers.



According to KATU, a public records request revealed that during the two weeks between November 16 and 30, thirty "passenger issue" incidents were reported. 

Of those, twenty-nine involved a passenger smoking or suspected of smoking illicit drugs. The outlier involved a passenger attempting to use a torch to burn plastic on the train.

Smoking of any kind is banned on all TriMet MAX services, and when an incident takes place, even if the suspected drug use is not confirmed, the company takes strong precautions to ensure that other passengers are not impacted.

As KATU reports, each time an instance of drug use is reported, passengers are asked to exit, and the train is aired out for at least fifteen minutes. Transit dispatchers then call TriMet supervisors, who come to the scene and ensure that any remnants or fumes from the drugs are gone. Passengers and operators alike have reported feeling unwell after riding the trains, likely due to inhaling the various substances.

TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt amitted that problems typically reserved for rougher areas of town were making their way on to their trains.

"It's just with what we're seeing in the community—homelessness, mental health, drugs and addiction are up in the community," she said. "You're seeing it more in public spaces, including on public transit."

TriMet reports most of the "passenger issues" via Twitter, however they do not go into detail regarding what specifically caused the delay.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Sign in to comment

Comments

Powered by StructureCMS™ Comments

Join and support independent free thinkers!

We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.

Support The Post Millennial

Remind me next month

To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 The Post Millennial, Privacy Policy