John A. Charles Jr. says the Oregon State Legislature should cut light rail from the project while it still can
John A. Charles, Jr.
Cascade Policy Institute
At a December 17th meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Interstate Bridge Replacement, legislators were promised that the proposed light rail service to Vancouver would arrive every 6.7 minutes during weekday rush hours.
We don’t need to guess whether this forecast will be wrong. We already know it.
Before the Yellow Line opened in 2004, TriMet promised that peak-hour trains would arrive every 7.5 minutes by 2020.
That never happened. In fact, the Yellow Line only arrives every 15 minutes, 50 percent below what was promised.
Not only did TriMet planners give the wrong forecast for levels of service, they weren’t even close on the ridership estimates. TriMet predicted 35,320 weekday riders on the Yellow Line by 2020. Actual ridership is 10,611, 70 percent below the forecast.
The transit agency for Vancouver already offers express bus service to Portland, which is a superior ride compared to light rail. Spending $3 billion to add rail will be a waste of money.
The legislature should cut light rail from the project while it still can.
John A. Charles Jr. is president and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research organization.
Also read:
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement $13.6 billion estimate is too low!
Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $13.6 billion cost estimate understates the true expense, citing comparable projects, construction challenges, and engineering assumptions. - Opinion: ‘The drama and the waste of taxpayer money continues’
Rep. John Ley outlines his objections to the approved fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, citing cost concerns, engineering standards, funding uncertainty, and opposition to light rail and tolls. - Coast Guard approves fixed-span design for new Interstate Bridge
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved a fixed-span design for the new Interstate Bridge, clearing a major hurdle for the Interstate Bridge Replacement project. - Opinion: When fast feels slow
Doug Dahl explains why drivers often misjudge their speed, especially when using cruise control or transitioning from freeway to city streets. - Opinion: WSDOT secretary and I ‘obviously have very different definitions for the term cost-effective’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance sharply criticizes WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith’s defense of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, arguing the escalating cost estimates undermine claims the project is cost-effective.
An investigated journalist or financial pathologist needs to follow the money trail and find out who is benefiting from this taxpayer steal. The light of truth needs to be aimed into the dark and expose those who are continuing to push for this obvious waste. Build a 10 lane bridge, expand I-5 lanes thru the Portland Metro area, or look to build another 1-3 bridge access across the Columbia. Think big and Make America Great Again.