First Bus Rapid Transit Comes to Portland Metro Region

Portland has one of the most diverse transit systems in America, with its MAX Light Rail, Portland Streetcar, Aerial Tram, and WES Commuter Rail. But it lacks bus rapid transit (BRT). "Though Eugene and other Oregon communities have the service, there are none in the Portland metro area," writes Conrad Wilson of OPB News. Listen here.

Vancouver, Washington (population 161,791 as of April 1, 2010) lies just across the Columbia River from Portland and is part of the Portland metropolitan area. While C-TRAN services Portland, The Vine will operate on the transit agency's busiest route, from downtown Vancouver to Westfield Vancouver Mall. Watch video here.

The $53 million bus rapid transit project — will include 34 stations. Federal dollars account for 80 percent of the funding. Another 6 percent came from Washington state, and C-TRAN paid for the remainder.

"The Vine will operate on 10-minute frequencies much of the day," states the press release. "The buses will be new 60-foot low-floor hybrids with almost twice the passenger capacity of existing buses and will provide level boarding for all passengers."

While The Vine will operate in mixed traffic, according to the FAQ, it "will cost less to operate than the service it will replace," notes its homepage,