So they're expanding light rails for whom at whose expense? (Portland: 2015, rent)

[TechmanOR]

TriMet has been expanding the rail system continuously for the past decade or so.

North Portland, Clackamas MAX and whatever it is they're doing now.

Airport MAX adds convenience, but the stops in inner cities just draws a path for crime to travel.

Now they're expand into inner SE city.

Who's paying for this and who benefits from it?

[philwithbeard]

Info on the Orange line has been posted at the TriMax web site since the opening of the Green Line last Fall.

Taxpayers are paying for the bridge across the Willamette, and the track being laid on the right of way. Biggest expense, IMO, will be the multi-use bridge (Bus, MAX, Streetcar, Bicyclist.) The new bridge will not carry cars.

1st to benefit will be landlords who will rent to PSU students along the Orange line out to Milwaukie, mostly I am guessing in Sellwood.

2nd to benefit will be very close inner East side-ers because the new bridge will be both Max and Street car so the Streetcar can loop both directions South Waterfront, OMSI, Convention Center, Broadway Bridge, Pearl District, then NW 10th & 11th, PSU.

Until the new bridge is built, the Orange line is in limbo, but work on the Street car loop is going full speed ahead, and expect the OMSI to Pearl via Broadway Bridge to start operations mid-Winter so NW 23rd people can have an easier direct line to Trailblazers via Streetcar. Maybe Spring '11 (edit: that should have been spring '12, since Broadway bridge work isn't going to be finished until July '11).

Broadway bridge repair and modification for Street car is going along just fine I understand.

Orange line is expected sometime in 2015, at least 4 years from now. Depending in completion of the new Bridge.

[jojo4]

are you talking about the new street car loop construction going on around MLK and Grand?
I would benefit from it once it is finish. Businesses along the route. Oregon Iron works employee.
People that live nearby the loop?

from trimet website -
The cost estimate for the Loop Project is $148.27 million dollars with $75 million provided by the Federal Government, $15.50 million from a local improvement district, $27.68 from the Portland Development Commission, $3.62 million from regional funds, $6.11 million from SDC/other City funds and $.36 million from stimulus funds. $20 million is from State lottery funds which will pay for 6 streetcars manufactured locally by United Streetcar, LLC, a subsidiary from Oregon Iron Works.

[jojo4]

oh the orange line.
here goes.

[puerco]

The expansion of the MAX lines is for the benefit of anyone who doesn't wish to add to the pollution & traffic with yet another vehicle. You obviously have no need to leave your polluter at home but there are a lot of people out there that do. The lines are to make it possible for them to do so. Every person that rides MAX is one less car choking the streets.

[philwithbeard]

puerco:

I tried to rep you, but it wouldn't let me. Good post anyway even if I can't rep you on it.

Phil

[rosecitywanderer]

Long story short? MAX is paid for by people with money (taxpayers) so it can be used by those without it (criminals and deadbeats). Welcome to the People's Republic of Portland.

Originally Posted by puerco

The expansion of the MAX lines is for the benefit of anyone who doesn't wish to add to the pollution & traffic with yet another vehicle. You obviously have no need to leave your polluter at home but there are a lot of people out there that do. The lines are to make it possible for them to do so. Every person that rides MAX is one less car choking the streets.

I use MAX only one time every year and (ironically enough) it's to go to the auto show. Other than that it's inconvenient and a waste of time for me, based on where I live. So what works for some doesn't necessarily work for all.

[puerco]

[quote=rosecitywanderer;15129776]Long story short? MAX is paid for by people with money (taxpayers) so it can be used by those without it (criminals and deadbeats). Welcome to the People's Republic of Portland.


Your distorted view of the city being full of "criminals and deadbeats" is pretty disgusting. Have you ever even lived in any of the inner neighborhoods of Portland? Do you and Techman really believe those horrible people in the inner city are just waiting for the chance to hop on a train and go out to do you harm? Hopefully you two are the exception of suburbanites and not the norm.

Phil-I don't really know how this site works and am not sure what it means to rep me. But thanks for the effort.

[Pretzelogik]

The main problem with public transportation is that the PUBLIC is transported on it.

[TechmanOR]

Originally Posted by Pretzelogik

The main problem with public transportation is that the PUBLIC is transported on it.

The main problem with Tri-Met is that its never self-sustaining and there's an asymmetry between user base and payer base.

Not considering capital cost, the fare revenue only represents 1/5 of operating expenses. Rest from grants and taxes. That's right, its not economically sustainable.

TriMet: TriMet's Budget: The Big Picture

More than half of the total operating cost comes from payroll and property taxes.