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Federal Transit Grants Favor Buses Over Portland Streetcar

Posted by: Nate Berg

3 January 2008 - 8:00am

Portland wants to expand its streetcar system, and is relying on federal funds to do it. But the Federal Transit Administration says it will give grants to only cost-effective proposals -- creating a heavy bias toward buses and away from streetcars.

"The expansion, pegged to cost $147 million, would extend the streetcar from the Pearl District across the Broadway Bridge and south to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, nearly completing a streetcar loop of the city's core. The federal government, according to the Portland City Council's plan, would pay for half."

"But the City Council scrambled in early September to meet a deadline to apply for funds, only to learn from the Federal Transit Administration that Portland is failing to meet a cost-effectiveness test that planners here say is biased against streetcars in favor of high-capacity bus lines."

"Transit administration officials have said the Office of Management and Budget, a department in the White House, has ordered them to raise standards for cost effectiveness when judging transit projects. That contrasts with the bill Congress passed in 2005, saying projects should be funded if they support public transportation, are cost-effective and boost local economic development."

Full Story: Federal rules prefer buses over streetcar expansion
Source: The Oregonian, December 27, 2007
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Electric Streetcars & The Oil Interregnum

Submitted by aspoarticle374 on Sat, 01/05/2008 - 12:57.

aspoarticle374 is a boilerplate look at one important part of the Oil Interregnum solution set. A strategic & requisite element of "Plan B" for dealing with the Fossils Rollover now underway: Renewables linked electric railways

The Federal Government, one byword of same being "Stay The Course", seems to have stumbled over itself on refusal to complete the Streetcar loop in Portland. Bureaucrats are only human, and some of the human failings that put the USA on the import oil chase fifty years ago are resurfacing even at this late date.

"theoildrum.com" gives voluminous readings on the length & breadth of the challenge of Peaking Oil, and it is coming our way, rolling heavy! The City of Portland, and many others, now are faced with larger issues than token resolutions opposing the war in Iraq: Actually DOING something regarding Commercial scale surface transportation elements that are able to run on pure renewable source power. Passenger & freight trains have been doing that for over 100 years, if they run on electricity generated by hydropower. Remember Oregon Electric Railway?

Now, it is time for Portland to outgrow the Feds, who are somewhat retrograde across the entire spectrum of transport, and find ways and means of getting The Rose City' signature downtown electric transport (streetcar) system to full potential.

Sponsorships by Oregon Companies who will gain advertising and naming rights on equipment and stations are the next logical step, and more elegant than dealing with moribund federal agencies and employees who care more about their pensions than their duty. Apologies if you take this personally- what are you doing PERSONALLY to extract America & your children from the import oil tarbaby? Hello, FTA, anyone there have a clue about Peaking Oil?

Portland may need to extend a plea to contractors and consultants to cut the costs of completion of this important segment of the streetcar system. Payment in kind, tax benefits, somesuch are the makings of a formula for finishing this core beltline as it should be. Must be, in context of climate change and the onset of Peaking Oil, and diminishing annual per/capita energy units each year from now on. The Feds are outsmarting themselves...

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