By Brian Hoop
While the authors of the report make it clear this is just a “concept” intended to start a conversation, for anyone who depends on bus service to Linnton, you should take notice and comment now. Survey closes October 31.
We will get more information, discuss the issue and consider adopting a letter of support to retain service to Linnton at our November 1 neighborhood meeting.
Trimet’s report – Forward Together Draft Service Concept – is a response to a spring 2022 survey which said people want the transit agency to “focus on ridership and improving connections to destinations for people with low and limited incomes.”
The report notes the value of better connecting St. Johns residents to NW Portland and downtown. For Linnton, the project website only says, “rush-hour trips to Linnton would be added for service to Lincoln High School,” which could be beneficial for future high school students.
The concept would switch service to Linnton by extending Line 15 through inner NW to St Johns and increase service to every 30 minutes. Line 16, which currently runs from downtown along Naito/Front Ave. to Linnton via St. Johns, would terminate at the NW 44th Ave. transfer point.
However, the proposal scales back service past the St. Johns Bridge to rush hour only, as is suggested by a map in their “Service Concept Summary by Area” – Figure 1, Service Concept for North Portland, page seven.
The need for the study and change is clear – ridership on public buses has dropped nationally since the COVID pandemic disrupted long practiced work routines. The study suggests a 30% increase in bus service focused on reaching employment centers, expanding frequent service on major lines, and adding new lines in outer East Portland and Washington County. However, some 25 lines would be discontinued due to low ridership.
To learn more: https://trimet.org/forward/ and to comment on their survey – https://trimet.org/forward/#survey