Run SPOT. Run: Community Demand Propels Transit Pilot Program to Early Success

Run, SPOT. Run!

Washington County’s SPOT Southwest microtransit pilot program has achieved remarkable early success, exceeding performance expectations and demonstrating strong community demand for flexible transit options in its first six months of operation.

SPOT (Shared Public On-Demand Transit) Southwest provides free, on-demand transportation throughout its service area of Southwest Beaverton and River Terrace in Tigard, which currently lacks access to public transit.

Launched on January 5, 2026 with 17 riders on its first day, SPOT Southwest has grown steadily. The service averaged 66 rides per day in the month of May—nearly a fourfold increase over its first week of operation.

As a pilot project to assess microtransit’s value as an alternative transportation solution, Washington County set several benchmarks for success to be reached by June 2027—many of which SPOT has already achieved:

• To date, 1,327 community members have downloaded the SPOT app, with 98% of riders booking digitally—showing both strong technology adoption and a smooth user experience.
• Fewer than 100 out of more than 5,000 rides were scheduled by phone--a valuable service available to those not equipped to book by app.
• While SPOT’s target was to reach 2 to 3 boardings per hour by June 2027, the service averaged 2.93 passenger boardings per hour in May, well ahead of schedule.
• Service reliability, a priority in the operation of SPOT, has remained high even during this rapid growth. SPOT has maintained a 91.8% on-time performance rate, keeping riders on schedule for work, school, health appointments, and transit connections.

And when people catch the SPOT, where are they going? Popular destinations include Washington Square, Mountainside High School, shopping centers, and TriMet connections—demonstrating how SPOT Southwest is answering the need for daily-living transportation across the service area.

The Community: What Do SPOT Riders Have to Say?

Many riders pleased with the service have shared their comments with us:

“Thank you! This is such an amazing service and makes my commute to Tigard feel so much safer… it’s a really valuable service to those of us this part of Washington County!”

“Amazing service… it really helped me connect with the broader TriMet system. I had a train trip on Amtrak that day and SPOT saved me quite a walk (with luggage) to the bus.”

“I am a single mother with two teenaged children in Beaverton School District. SPOT opens the door for my daughter to do after school activities! Before SPOT I had told her “No” because I can’t facilitate the ride. SPOT is a game changer for working parents, especially those with little to no outside support.”

“I liked that the driver made me feel comfortable and not nervous or socially anxious—it was my first time taking a SPOT trip! She was a chill, nice human!”

County Leadership Praises the Program’s Impact

Commissioner Snider, whose district is served by the pilot program and has followed the pilot’s progress, commended the program’s rapid growth:

“SPOT is doing exactly what we hoped—improving mobility, reducing barriers, and helping people reach the places that matter most in their daily lives. The early success shows that when we invest in innovative transit solutions, our community responds. We’re thrilled to see this momentum.”

Looking Ahead

As SPOT’s popularity grows, expanding its service to include weekends could bring even greater benefits—improving access and strengthening connections to TriMet’s public transit network. Washington County has applied for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Discretionary Grant to continue SPOT Southwest beyond June 2027. The County expects to learn in early 2027 if the grant is awarded to continue this successful microtransit program.

Washington County extends its appreciation to community members, riders, and its service provider partner, Ride Connection, for helping make SPOT such a strong early success and demonstration of the viability of microtransit as a transportation solution.