Note that the extension of Tri-Met into Vancouver uses a line that runs over the city streets, though in its exclusive right-of-way. It stops at traffic signals. It has to deal with traffic crossing the rail line for left turns. It averages 15 mph (so I’m told). My experience with BART (which I used for many years for my commute) is that public transit is inefficient. Promises made by the proponents are not kept (“a seat for everyone” – “Free parking at suburban stations” and many other promises, not a single promise made by BART proponents get kept, though the free parking at suburban stations did take about 15 years before the parking charges started.) I doubt that the “promises” being made by Tri-Met will be any more likely to be kept — but taxes will be charged — and the “fair share” for Clark County residents will be far in excess of actual costs allocated to actual use by Washington state residents. Indeed, Tri-Met will probably start pressuring extensions of lines into Clark County — even though there is no place in the county that has the kind of high density population that can possibly justify these glorified trolly cars. I also note that statistics on public rail transit systems show that the finished building cost is double the initial estimates — and the usage is typically about half the estimated passenger counts. It would be much better if the money allocated to the Tri-Met extension were spent on an additional lane for the bridge (perhaps allocated to Bus Rapid Transit during rush hours). I also note that the trolly cars on the line from Vancouver do NOT (currently) have a convenient connection to the rest of Tri-Met, as they turn off before reaching the “transit center” where convenient connection to other Tri-Met routs are available.

We should expect Oregonians to listen to us because they are our neighbors. No one expects them to dictate, but they should have a stronger role because they are a larger stakeholder. Ignoring fellow stakeholders is a poor strategy for solving a problem. But that’s just my opinion and, as usual, I could be wrong.

Why shouldn’t we expect Oregonians to listen to us? Why do they get to dictate the terms of this bridge replacement project or a third bridge/crossing? Thus far, they’ve proven to be a very bad partner in this endeavor.

I also don’t have a problem with light rail…it’s far more efficient at moving people and if we want to think selfishly then each person riding it is one less car I’m stuck behind in traffic!

Thats not to say BRT doesnt have its purpose. It would work great alongside a rail network serving the most dense corridors, think North Portland / Hayden island to Clark College or WSU Vancouver, perhaps with one additional line going to East vancouver. That way, BRT can be used for servicing the rest of Vancouver between neighborhoods, as well as neighborhoods to a Light Rail station.

I absolutely do not understand the ideology behind putting blatant falsehoods against such an economically viable solution to this areas poor transit solution. Many people younger and older in this city want options and don’t want to have to drive all the time. Time and time again this rail issue comes up and its always some out of touch contrarian who doesn’t understand what they are talking about and just wants everything to remain the same. I am glad you are at least considering BRT in our city’s future, but it simply is not enough. To say “Clark County voters don’t want it” is so out of touch and disregards a lot of people it would benefit from it, not to mention that it is false.

The light rail cabal who stands to make a lot of $$ if light rail is extended continues their relentless push for a slow, gold plated train system that is inflexible and carries zero freight. Other options that are far less costly, and more flexible using shared roads for all are not given true consideration. The 1-3 % of commuters that use light rail do not warrant over $1 BILLION wasted on a travel option that few use that doesn’t share the lane with freight, commuters, tourists, commercial, emergency and other drivers. Economical roads for all vs. light rail for a tiny number of riders? Solutions that serve the most users for less $ needed.