A free pilot shuttle rolling out this weekend is about to make getting to Forest Park and Washington Park a lot less of a hassle. The Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle will give Portlanders a direct ride from neighborhood community centers and transit hubs straight to the trails, including the long-awkward Leif Erikson Drive and Germantown Road trailhead. The service runs Fridays and Saturdays starting this Friday and continues through August, offering a new option for people without cars or anyone who would rather skip the packed trailhead parking lots. City leaders and community partners say the goal is to chip away at transportation barriers that have kept some neighborhoods on the sidelines of Portland’s signature parks.
Where the Shuttles Run
According to Portland Parks & Recreation, the pilot features a four-route system: an Express Park Loop plus north, northeast, and east lines. The shuttles pick up at community centers, Gateway Transit Center, and the Washington Park/Oregon Zoo MAX stop, then head to Forest Park trailheads including Leif Erikson Drive at Germantown Road and Lower Macleay. The department’s timetable lists service on Fridays and Saturdays, notes that all buses are ADA accessible, and confirms that every ride is free.
Why the Pilot Exists
Advocates and public-health staff say the shuttle is designed with communities that have been cut off from the parks in mind. “This shuttle pilot program is a unique and meaningful moment to connect communities in North, Northeast, and East Portland to nature,” Nsilo Berry, a Built Environment Program Specialist with Multnomah County REACH, said, as reported by Oregon Business. Project materials point to Portland Parks & Recreation surveys dating back to 2012 that flagged lack of personal vehicles and limited transit as persistent barriers keeping people from visiting the parks.
Trailheads That Were Nearly Unreachable
For park neighbors and regular hikers, one of the biggest changes is at Leif Erikson. “The nearest public transit stop is down on Bridge Avenue,” Liv Brumfield told OregonLive, and getting from there to the Leif Erikson trailhead can mean roughly a one mile walk along Germantown Road with poor visibility and fast traffic. Riders and organizers say the shuttle should cut out that most dangerous and discouraging stretch, making Forest Park feel genuinely reachable by transit.
How It Is Run and Who Pays
The pilot is funded by an Oregon Department of Transportation Innovative Mobility grant and operated by local shuttle company EcoShuttle, according to Oregon Business. Partners listed on the project include TriMet, Explore Washington Park, Bird Alliance of Oregon, and Multnomah County REACH, and community groups are planning guided hikes and activities that riders can reach using the shuttle.
How to Ride
No fare, no ticket, no app required. Portland Parks & Recreation says the buses are ADA accessible but cannot accommodate pets or bicycles and have limited space for strollers. Riders with registered events will get boarding priority. Live tracking and printable schedules are available on the shuttle page from Portland Parks & Recreation. For questions or to share feedback on the pilot, PP&R asks riders to email [email protected] or call 311.
