TriMet MAX Station

Worst mass transit station ever.
Any time of day or night, there are dozens of people just hanging around. Just leaning against the wall, just reeking of pot stench, just hawking lung oysters onto the sidewalk, just shouting obscenities, just losing their shit and yelling and screaming at passersby, just freaking the f out and arguing with others like them who happen to be on the other side of the street, just generally being obnoxious asshats. Hey, no, I don’t want to buy a joint. Hey, no, I don’t want to share yours. Hey, no, I don’t have a fucking quarter. Hey, it’s not funny when you stand close to me just to see if I’ll move three steps away because you smell like ass. I will always move three steps away.
Before you get all up in my face about the plight of the homeless, let me assure you I understand their challenges. I am sympathetic to their plight. At the same time, though, I am unwilling to put up with their shit, and I shouldn’t have to. These folks need to be encouraged to congregate somewhere else. This is a MAX station, and I don’t have the luxury of waiting somewhere else, this is the station, this is where I wait. These loiterers, however, encased in their cloud of pot and engaged in their daily dramas, can get their freak on any old where — and they should be encouraged to find a different spot. Encouraged by people in uniforms, with badges, who have the command presence to say, you can act like this all you want, but you can’t do it here.

It’s the MAX transit station for Green and Yellow (and someday, Orange) lines closest to the bus (Greyhound and Bolt) and Amtrak stations. Almost no overhead cover so bring your umbrellas!