Bus rapid transit
A system of bus rapid transit, as used in Eugene, involving dedicated bus lines and fewer stops may connect Portland, Tigard and Tualatin. But a ballot measure in Tigard asks that voters approve before the city updates its regulations to accommodate light rail or bus rapid transit.
(COURTESY OF C-TRAN)
Tigard councilors sent a citizen-initiated ballot measure
to the county elections division Monday night.
On the March 11 ballot, voters will decide whether Tigard should hold a public vote before updating its land use regulations and comprehensive plan to allow for a light rail line or exclusive bus lanes. Tigard's charter already requires a public vote
and fees to pay for light rail.
Beyond Tigard, this measure has significant -- although unclear -- implications for the Metro-led
, a regional effort to plan for growth and transportation in the area stretching from Portland and the suburbs to its southwest. A significant part of the project is creating a high-capacity transit corridor through the area. A voter approval requirement in Tigard could affect what happens across multiple jurisdictions.
"We will have to wait and see what voters in Tigard decide...and then adjust," said Juan Carlos Ocaña-Chíu, a Metro spokesman. He said the agency couldn't immediately comment on how the measure's approval would affect plans for high-capacity transit.
The planning started in 2011. Metro staff, consultants and public officials have since been narrowing down options for new public transportation options. Here's where things stand with high-capacity transit:
Why is high-capacity transit under consideration?
Because Metro projects major population and job growth in this area, creating more demand for transportation and aggravating traffic.
| SW Corridor Growth (Metro Projections) | ||
| Year | Households | Jobs |
| 2010 | 78,800 | 187,900 |
| 2035 | 111,900 | 259,200 |
Jump to this summer and this is what's still on the table:
This map lays out possible routes that a new light rail or bus rapid transit line (with exclusive lanes) could go through as part of the Southwest Corridor Plan, meant to connect Portland, Tigard and Tualatin.
Where would the high-capacity transit corridor be?
It would extend from Portland to Tualatin, through Tigard. It would not go through I-5 or the Pacific Highway stretch of Oregon 99W, southwest of the intersection with I-5.
A potential route could go through Naito Parkway and Barbur Boulevard on the Portland side and Southwest Hall Boulevard and Southwest 72nd Avenue on the Tigard and Tualatin side (see map).
What type of transit?
Either light rail or bus rapid transit.
What's bus rapid transit?
To simplify, it's a bus system that involves dedicated lanes and fewer stops. In the Southwest Corridor, more than half of the entire route would need to be on a bus-only lane in order for the project to qualify for
.
Bus rapid transit has been emerging as a possible cheaper alternative to light rail in places as far flung as
and
. Defining bus rapid transit, however, has been a challenge. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
earlier this year.
What's next?
The next options to whittle down include what roads would a high-capacity transit corridor go through (the Hall vs 72nd, Naito vs Barbur debate), possible station stops and ways to fund these projects.
The light rail versus bus decision would likely not come until 2017.
--Fenit Nirappil: 503-294-4029; fnirappil@oregonian.com
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The Oregonian publishes Tigard news online first at www.oregonlive.com/tigard. News also appears in The Oregonian and the Wednesday Southwest Community News section.