trimet-cli

⚠️ Unofficial CLI for TriMet
Not affiliated with or endorsed by TriMet.

A command-line interface for TriMet Portland transit data. Check arrivals, plan trips, and view service alerts.

Installation

npm install -g trimet-cli

Or run directly with npx:

npx trimet-cli --help

Setup

Get a free API key from the TriMet Developer Portal, then set it:

export TRIMET_APP_ID="your-api-key"

Add this to your shell profile (~/.zshrc, ~/.bashrc, etc.) to persist it.

Commands

Arrivals

Get real-time arrivals at a stop:

trimet arrivals 8383                    # Arrivals at stop 8383
trimet arrivals 8383 --line 90          # Only MAX Red Line
trimet arrivals 8383 --json             # Output as JSON

Trip Planning

Plan a trip between two locations:

trimet trip -f 8383 -t 9969                          # Basic trip
trimet trip -f 8383 -t 9969 --arrive-by "5:30 PM"    # Arrive by time
trimet trip -f 8383 -t 9969 --depart-at "2:00 PM"    # Depart at time
trimet trip -f 8383 -t 9969 --json                   # Output as JSON

You can also use addresses:

trimet trip -f "Pioneer Square, Portland" -t "PDX Airport"

Next Departures

Simplified view of next departures:

trimet next -f 8383 -t 9969             # Next 3 options
trimet next -f 8383 -t 9969 -c 5        # Next 5 options
trimet next -f 8383 -t 9969 --line 90   # Only MAX Red Line

Service Alerts

Get current service alerts:

trimet alerts                # All alerts
trimet alerts --route 90     # Alerts for route 90
trimet alerts --json         # Output as JSON

Options

Global flags available on all commands:

| Flag | Description | |------|-------------| | -h, --help | Show help | | -V, --version | Show version number | | --no-color | Disable colored output | | --json | Output as JSON (where applicable) |

Environment Variables

| Variable | Description | |----------|-------------| | TRIMET_APP_ID | Required. Your TriMet API key | | NO_COLOR | Disable colored output (any value) |

Exit Codes

| Code | Meaning | |------|---------| | 0 | Success | | 1 | Generic failure | | 2 | Invalid usage (bad arguments) | | 3 | Authentication failure (missing API key) |

Finding Stop IDs

Stop IDs are displayed at TriMet stops, or you can find them:

• On the TriMet website
• In the TriMet app
• On stop signs and shelters

Common Portland stops:

• Pioneer Courthouse Square: 8383 (westbound), 8384 (eastbound)
• PDX Airport: 10579
• Portland Union Station: 7787

Examples

Check arrivals at a stop

$ trimet arrivals 8383

Upcoming Arrivals:

90     Beaverton TC                        3 min
190    Blue to Hillsboro                   8 min
90     Beaverton TC                       18 min ⚠️  DELAYED

Plan a trip

$ trimet trip -f 8383 -t 9969

Found 3 trip option(s):

Option 1: 5:15 PM → 5:45 PM (30 min)
  🚶 Walk from Pioneer Square to MAX Station
  5:18 PM - Blue Line to Beaverton TC

Option 2: 5:25 PM → 5:55 PM (30 min)
  5:25 PM - Red Line to Beaverton TC

Option 3: 5:35 PM → 6:05 PM (30 min)
  5:35 PM - Blue Line to Beaverton TC

Quick view of next departures

$ trimet next -f 8383 -t 9969 -c 3

Next Departures:

5:15 PM → 5:45 PM (30 min) - Blue Line
5:25 PM → 5:55 PM (30 min) - Red Line
5:35 PM → 6:05 PM (30 min) - Blue Line

Check service alerts

$ trimet alerts --route 90

2 Active Alert(s):

[12345] MAX Red Line Delay
Routes: 90
Expect 10-15 minute delays due to signal issues near Gateway.

[12346] Weekend Service Changes
Routes: 90, 190
Reduced frequency on weekends through January.

Script: Get arrivals as JSON

trimet arrivals 8383 --json | jq '.[] | select(.minutes < 10)'

API Client

This package also exports a TypeScript client for programmatic use:

import { TriMetAPI } from 'trimet-cli';

const api = new TriMetAPI(process.env.TRIMET_APP_ID);

const arrivals = await api.getArrivals('8383');
const trip = await api.planTrip('8383', '9969');
const alerts = await api.getAlerts();

Development

git clone https://github.com/mjrussell/trimet-cli
cd trimet-cli
npm install
npm run build
TRIMET_APP_ID="your-key" node dist/cli.js arrivals 8383

License

MIT © Matt Russell

Disclaimer

This is an unofficial tool created by the community. TriMet is a trademark of the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon. This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to TriMet in any way.