Westside Express Service

The Westside Express Service is disappointing. Usually, the route is already covered by bus service. It’s not that it’s bad, but it runs way too little, so check the schedule. However, it is comfortable and efficient. Times are displayed on large television screens, along with a neat toy called the interactivator at each station, for all ages. The scenery on the ride ranges from ugly to marvelous. Connecting at Beaverton Transit Center provides a nice access to much of the Portland metropolitan area.
This was the second time that I had rode this. It has constantly been nice. Tigard and Tualatin have stations inside of the town’s core, but Willsonville’s is a little out of the way. The stations are often transit centers, so plenty of bus connections can be made. There is also wifi onboard, though some outlets would be a considerate consideration. You will still likely be sitting next to someone as with the light rail system.
Get your tickets out for Westside Express Service.

WES (Westside Express Service) is something that is mostly very cool and also a minor «irritant.» I’ll start out with the negative. This is review # 767, so it would make some sense to me that it would address transportation!
In my review of Trimet, the organization which has WES under its umbrella, I indicated my displeasure that the southwestern part of the metropolitan area, roughly along I-​5, has not yet seen a MAX line nor does it seem like it will in the near future. Southwest Portland, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, and Wilsonville could certainly benefit from one. Thus, WES is an «irritant» because, rather than departing from downtown, it begins its journey to these suburbs from Beaverton, requiring another train ride to get there. Then, its hours are limited to commuting hours. What if you live in Wilsonville, puked your lunch buffet because of the MSG quotient, feel sick to your stomach, and need to go home at 1:30 p.m. What if you live in Wilsonville, want a Voodoo donut at midnight, and don’t have a sled at your disposition? All right, then, WES is obviously commuter rail in the true sense of the word.
However, there’s a lot to love about WES and that’s why I give it 4 stars. WES does provide a link between MAX-​serviced Beaverton and somewhat distant Wilsonville, albeit being restricted to peak hours. It is smartly integrated with numerous transit centers en route, such as the ones at Beaverton and Tigard. Stops are few, so the transit time is shorter and feels more relaxed. The trains are of the old school variety, though they are not old in terms of age, running on a wider gauge track and providing creature comforts that are superior to those of the MAX trains. The conductors on board, complete with uniforms and caps as if on a long distance train, are very helpful and friendly. Also, the flip side of limited hours is that you don’t have the full moon crowd on board and the experience tends to be free of melodramatic antics.
Folks, a WES ride is a real treat. Try it sometime. If you have a day pass ($ 5), which is exactly what a round trip with individual tickets would cost anyway, you can ride WES. Just don’t stray too far from either the Beaverton or Wilsonville terminuses since there isn’t much to see and do and you don’t want to miss the next train. If I’m on the West Side and I’m using transit, I try to incorporate a WES ride if possible. It brings back memories. The rail cars have «all the right moves» of a larger train, meaning those longer lasting and smoother undulating motions, instead of the more jittery jolts and noise of a MAX train, though those are also fairly smooth and quiet riding. Then, you’ll discover that there is some bucolic scenery outside your window, mostly between Tualatin and Wilsonville and, to a lesser degree, between Tigard and Tualatin. It is very cool to have such a train in metro Portland’s urban transit network.
So, if you’re a Wilsonville or Tualatin resident, and you work an 8 to 5 either on the West Side, reachable via another rail or bus connection, or downtown, by connecting at Beaverton, WES has your number. If you just want to feel like a kid or a country bumpkin, WES has your number as well.

I love taking the WES every day to work! The conductors are always so nice and friendly! It is definitely a better experience than taking the max. The seats are super comfy to sit and relax on, plus free wifi!

WES reviews? hahaha. Well, I must put in my two cents then.
Today, WES got me out of the rain on the return leg of a doomed-​to-​be-​wet bike ride from Hillsboro to Canby. The WES has nicer seats and sturdier bike racks than MAX. The ride was rougher than MAX, but I appreciated that stops were few and far between (express!). I knew how long I’d have to wait for the stopped train to get going because of a flatscreen at the platform.
I’m knocking off a star because WIFI wasn’t working.

There’s always plenty of room to stretch! FREE Wifi on board to go along with the smooth quiet ride. I’ll be sure to take WES into town whenever I can. I had almost missed a train, and an employee managed to get the train to wait for me! I’m very grateful!