
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:
- City of Washougal advances overcrossing design for 32nd St Rail Crossing ProjectWashougal officials have selected an overcrossing design for the 32nd Street Rail Crossing Project, aiming to improve safety and reduce traffic delays caused by frequent train blockages.
- Opinion: Trails, roadways and crosswalksDoug Dahl explains how Washington law treats hiking trails that cross roadways and whether pedestrians automatically have the right-of-way.
- Expect delays on northbound I-205 in Vancouver for guardrail repairs March 4WSDOT will close the left lane of northbound I-205 in Vancouver from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4 for guardrail repairs between Exit 36 and the northbound I-5 on-ramp.
- Letter: IBR’s money pitBob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is withholding a higher cost estimate while moving forward with limited funding and an unclear construction timeline.
- Full closure: I-5 southbound off-ramp to Exit 11 in north Clark County for maintenance March 3The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Exit 11 for SR 502/Battle Ground will close March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance work.






