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What is Priority Commuters?
Our Priority Commuters network supports Washington County residents and commuters who face financial barriers to transportation.
Reliable transportation is essential for accessing jobs, education, healthcare, and everyday needs. For many people, the cost of getting around can be a real challenge. Priority Commuters exists to help reduce those barriers by providing additional support to people who qualify. The program is designed to improve access, affordability, and transportation choice, with a focus on equity and real-world commuting needs. Priority Commuters complements regional and local transportation efforts by filling gaps where extra support can make a meaningful difference.
Priority Commuters was developed in response to findings from a 2020 equity needs assessment led by our Equity Work Group.
Who qualifies?
There are a few ways to qualify:
Meet one of the following requirements:
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Be enrolled as a student receiving Federal aid or Pell Grants.
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Live in a high or medium high disparity census tract as defined by the Oregon Social Equity Index.
Or, meet one of the following requirements, and have no telework option:
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Work in a shift work, part time, or seasonal position in an essential industry (e.g. retail, food service or grocery, manufacturing, warehouse/shipping, administration, hotel/building maintenance, etc.)
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Work in a high or medium high disparity census tract as defined by the Oregon Social Equity Index.
What are the benefits?
To help reduce transportation cost barriers, Priority Commuters offers additional support for eligible participants, including:
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Extra chances to win raffle-based rewards in Westside Transportation Alliance programs
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Commuter Kickbacks: double (2×) entries
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Seasonal campaigns and challenges: incentive boosts vary by campaign
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Fee waivers for select paid programs, including:
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Ride Electric: employer-based e-bike trials
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Westside Bike Share: public e-bike lending library
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New for 2026: One (1) free TriMet one-month pass per year for Priority Commuters who qualify through TriMet's reduced-fare program.