Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks took a critical step toward bus desegregation on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, when she chose to be arrested rather than give up her bus seat to a white man while riding a segregated bus. Her stand against racism inspired a boycott which has improved all our lives.

TriMet strives to provide equitable service, placing a high priority on providing high-quality transit service to low-income populations and communities of color. Rosa Parks’ courageous act drew national attention to simple truths: A public transit system paid for by all must benefit all, and civil rights must be protected for all.

This year TriMet was named by the National Association Minority Contractors of Oregon (NAMCO) as Champion and Agency of the Year for our support of local minority construction and contracting businesses. Our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a national model for encouraging and supporting businesses owned by people of color and women when competing for contracts on transit construction projects.

For more information about our nationally recognized diversity programs, please visit trimet.org/dbe.