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Label:
Ordinance
Amend Advertising on Bus Benches Code to allow advertising on City streetcar benches and shelters (amend Code Chapter 17.45)
Passed
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.
Exhibits and attachments
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of proposed legislation and background information
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.
Financial and budgetary impacts
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.
Economic and real estate development impacts
The economic impact of this change is negligible.
TriMet has been informed of this change and they are in support.
Community impacts and community involvement
Community 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.
100% renewable goal
Allowing the City to advertise on their streetcar shelters and benches may increase Portland Streetcars streams of revenue in the long term.
The streetcar offers an equitable transit solution to the central city that uses renewable energy.
Economic and real estate development analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
An Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis was not submitted for this proposed action. Pursuant to City Council Resolution 37664, Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the action and agree that it does not require an Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis.
Document history
Document number: 2026-212
President's referral: Public Works Committee