A Portland transit planner from the days when buses were the primary means of getting around says the system is headed in the wrong direction and service is declining.
Jim Howell worked for TriMet in the 1970s, and ran a private bus company in the 1980s. He believes that Portland's significant investment in light rail may have sapped money away from the convenience of bus transit.
"...for the bus rider seeking a quick and convenient ride, this rosy picture is not all it seems. 'The problem is Portland never added to the grid,' said Howell, adding that large swaths of the city are bereft of cross-town service. He cites two places in 'dire need': the stretch between Clackamas Town Center and Washington Square and along Columbia Boulevard, 'where the jobs are.'
Thanks to Ben Serviss
FULL STORY: An Activist Pokes Holes in Transit Policy
New Questions Around Portland-Area Light Rail Project
A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.
TriMet Ridership Grows Thanks to Realignment, Schedule Changes
The agency’s response to post-pandemic changes in travel behavior is paying off.
Portland ‘BRT Light’ Line Shows Promise
Despite not having fully dedicated bus lanes, Portland’s new ‘light’ bus rapid transit line is significantly reducing travel times.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary
Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.
California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.
Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service