When Chapter 17.45 Advertising on Bus Benches was written, it specified that the Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District (TriMet) could sell advertising space on accommodations for people waiting for public transportation. Therefore, TriMet alone has the ability to advertise on transportation benches. Since then, the Portland Streetcar has also been introduced with their own benches and shelter structures. The Portland Streetcar is owned by the City, specifically PBOT.The City of Portland should have the same authority to advertise on their streetcar bench and shelter assets.
Official proposal and impact statementOrdinance2026-212
Should Portland amend Advertising on Bus Benches Code to allow advertising on City streetcar benches and shelters (amend Code Chapter 17.45)?
When Chapter 17.45 Advertising on Bus Benches was written, it specified that the Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District (TriMet) could sell advertising space on accommodations for people waiting for public transportation. Therefore, TriMet alone has the ability to advertise on transportation benches. Since then, the Portland Streetcar has also been introduced with their own benches and shelter structures. The Portland Streetcar is owned by the City, specifically PBOT.The City of Portland should have the same authority to advertise on their streetcar bench and shelter assets.
Official impact statementSee the official legal title
Amend Advertising on Bus Benches Code to allow advertising on City streetcar benches and shelters (amend Code Chapter 17.45)
Next appearancePortland City Council · Wednesday, September 30 at 9:30 AMOpen the meeting agenda
Follow this matterWhat this proposal would actually do.
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The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.
Official matter recordThis proposal concerns transportation & public works and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.
Official matter classification and recordCommunity outreach was not conducted. The precedence for advertising on transit benches and shelters has already been set by TriMet. Based on this precedence, we believe the community impact will be minimal. The community impact of this change is negligible.
Official community impact statementWhat the record establishes and what it does not.
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Meeting-level motion or recommendation
Passed · 5–0
Read the exact motion or vote question
Motion to refer the Ordinance, Document Number 2026-212, to City Council with the recommendation it be passed: Moved by Kanal and seconded by Green. (Aye (5): Koyama Lane, Green, Smith, Kanal, Clark)
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The vote above establishes who supported or opposed that exact motion. A source-validated account of the competing reasons will appear only after human review of the meeting transcript and documents.
While the addition of bench and shelter advertising expands the Portland Streetcar's advertising inventory, it is not expected to result in a near-term revenue increase. Given existing market conditions and historical performance, it is unlikely the benches will increase revenue above the current Minimum Annual Guarantee (MAG).However, expanding the range and visibility of available advertising assets may improve the overall marketability of the Streetcar advertising program. A more comprehensive asset portfolio could increase interest from advertising vendors. Due to the absence of directly comparable historical data and variability in the regional advertising market, the financial impact of these factors cannot be reliably quantified at this time.The change is therefore best characterized as having potential long-term revenue upside with no associated cost.
Official financial impact statement- The source-linked record has not yet received a human review of competing arguments. A yes or no vote alone does not establish a Councilor’s rationale.
- What amendments, conditions, or new evidence could change the proposal before final action?
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Official documents6 sources
Current proposal · not final actionOrdinance 2026-212
The proposed legal text currently moving through Council.
Open at Portland.govRead the full official text
The City of Portland ordains.Section 1. The Council finds:Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District (TriMet) was established in 1969, to provide public transportation in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. City Code Chapter 17.45 allows benches and shelters for persons waiting for public transportation. City Code Chapter 17.45 was modified in 1997 to allow permits for benches and shelters baring advertising. These permits may be granted only to TriMet. The Portland Streetcar opened in July 20th, 2001. The Portland Streetcar and its assets, including benches and shelters, are owned by the city. Portland Streetcar Inc. currently holds a contract with Intersection Media Inc beginning November 11th, 2021. Intersection Media Inc sells advertisements on the Portland Streetcar. The contract will end November 11th, 2026. When the contract expires. Portland Streetcar Inc. will not hold the advertising contract for Portland Streetcars. The City, specifically Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), intends to hold the next contract. PBOT and TriMet intend to issue a joint procurement solicitation for an advertiser in July, 2026. With this amendment PBOT would be able to list streetcar benches and shelters as an asset to advertisers.NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:A. Amend City Code Chapter 17.45 as shown in Exhibit A.
Meetings, motions, amendments, and votes5 meetings · 1 votes
Regular agendaAgenda item 7
RescheduledAgenda item 10
RescheduledAgenda item 21
Referred to City CouncilAgenda item 1
ContinuedAgenda item 3
Read all 1 exact motions
Motion to refer the Ordinance, Document Number 2026-212, to City Council with the recommendation it be passed: Moved by Kanal and seconded by Green. (Aye (5): Koyama Lane, Green, Smith, Kanal, Clark)
Meeting-level motion or recommendation · Aug 11, 20265 yes
Motion to refer the Ordinance, Document Number 2026-212, to City Council with the recommendation it be passed: Moved by Kanal and seconded by Green. (Aye (5): Koyama Lane, Green, Smith, Kanal, Clark)
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Official legal text
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Funding source
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Supporting documents
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Not ApplicableThe reviewed action is not expressly identified as a non-binding agreement.
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- First discovered
- Aug 13, 2026, 12:27 PM PDT
- Last checked
- Sep 28, 2026, 7:07 AM PDT
- Evidence hash
- 6dc14053784e5d75
- Guide status
- Deterministic baseline
- SOURCE UPDATED
Rescheduled on September 23, 2026 by City Council
- Council Action
Rescheduled
- SOURCE UPDATED
Rescheduled on September 9, 2026 by City Council
- Council Action
Rescheduled
- SOURCE UPDATED
Referred to City Council on August 11, 2026 by Public Works Committee
- DOCUMENT PUBLISHED
Referred to City Council on August 11, 2026 by Public Works Committee
- Council Action
Referred to City Council
- Council Action
Continued