
Lars Larson considers the facts of life for transit systems in the Pacific Northwest
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
Consider the facts of life for transit systems in Portland (and Seattle).
Number one, transit is hazardous to your health, from the drug contaminated air to the assaults on passengers, you’re putting yourself in a dangerous place.

Number two, transit systems absolutely depend on cash from Washington D.C. for their very existence.
So, when you hear about the random and horrific stabbing murder of Iryna Zarutska almost 3-thousand miles away, don’t imagine it WON’T change things here.
American Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent the warning this week … the failure of Charlotte to protect passengers means he plans to cut off federal funding.
“I guarantee that if I find what I think I’m going to find, they are not going to have your federal tax dollars going to their public (transit). Zero. None. Nada.”
Secretary Duffy calls violence on public transit an “epidemic.”
Portland and Seattle want billions from the government to pay for ridiculous choo choos like Max and Link light rail that never live up to passenger traffic promises.
That includes the almost unbelievable billion dollars a mile for an interstate bridge light rail.
Now, we have a president who’s sick and tired to liberal tolerance for the criminal class and that federal money spigot just got turned off tight because of the feckless city management of transit.
Also read:
- Letter: C-TRAN makes a mess of Hazel DellVancouver resident Bob Zak criticizes C-TRAN’s Vine bus system for low ridership and ongoing construction disruptions.
- Opinion: Delaying light rail offers best hope for new bridgeTwo Republican senators argue light rail should wait until Clark County voters approve funding for operations.
- Opinion: Eight reasons the Interstate Bridge project shouldn’t – and can’t legally – move forwardCity Observatory analyst identifies eight legal violations in the $15.5 billion Interstate Bridge project.
- VIDEO: Rep. John Ley – I-5 Bridge replacement project is a ‘light rail project in search of a bridge’Rep. John Ley criticizes IBR design that allocates 54% of bridge surface to transit while costs balloon to $14.4 billion.
- Letter: IBR/Light rail and chronic homelessnessVancouver resident Bob Zak criticizes city council’s light rail endorsement and calls for tougher homeless policies.






