
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:
- Opinion: Legislators demand two auxiliary lanes and challenge light rail plans for I-5 Bridge ReplacementLegislators from both states pressed IBR staff on auxiliary lanes, tolling diversion, and a $7.65 billion cost estimate with no clear path to full funding.
- Opinion: Major projects and ODOT’s financial crisisJoe Cortright tells Oregon Transportation Commission that ODOT’s cost management failures, not fuel efficiency, caused its budget crisis.
- POLL: Should federal transportation officials delay approval of the Interstate Bridge replacement project until a new review is completed?Rep. John Ley urges U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to delay the $15 billion Interstate Bridge replacement project pending new federal review.
- Rep. John Ley asks transportation secretary to deny Record of Decision for I-5 Bridge replacement projectLey cited scope creep and fiscal irresponsibility in urging Duffy to block the $15 billion bridge ROD.
- As summer days approach more construction comes to area roadwaysA worker was struck and thrown 20 feet by a distracted driver in a Clark County work zone last summer.






