Riding Portland Streetcar into Real-Time
Portland Streetcar carries thousands of riders through the central city each day, yet its previous website dated back more than a decade. Early in 2024, the agency enlisted Cascade to create a faster, rider-friendly experience that could also support future live-data features.
Strategy & Planning
Stakeholder workshops and rider interviews produced detailed user stories for tasks such as checking arrivals and buying fares. A refined information architecture grouped content into Maps & Schedules, How to Ride, News, and Projects & Planning. Functional specifications documented hooks for TriMet’s real-time API and other third-party tools.
Design
A mobile-first, pre-designed framework cut load times and costs while ensuring ADA-compliant type and high-contrast colors that matched Streetcar’s brand. Wireframes for the home page and two key interior pages guided quick, collaborative feedback rounds.
Development
- Evergreen CMS with modular blocks for alerts, route maps, fare tables, and project updates
- Hamburger navigation and full responsiveness across phones, tablets, and desktops
- Accessible, keyboard-friendly menus meeting WCAG guidelines
- Backend endpoints prepared for live vehicle positions and crowding data
Outcome
Launched on schedule in October 2024, the new site let riders view service alerts at a glance and complete mobile fare purchases in fewer taps. Staff gained point-and-click control over content, while the underlying architecture positioned Portland Streetcar to add real-time arrivals and passenger-density displays in future phases.