Quote:
Originally Posted by hat
I understand express buses work well, particularly in highway systems with their own ROW. This may be effective in outer Powell where ROW can be designated for transit. The central issue with inner Powell is 33rd on in. There is no way to expand the ROW here. Any type of vehicle with wheels will be stuck in traffic every day during peak hours when they are needed most, negating any real "express" or "rapid" designation.
BRT in East Portland on Division and Powell can connect to MAX on Powell at I205 or 82nd. We should be looking at a mix, and not rely solely on buses.
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Sitting in traffic from SE 33rd to Milwaukie isn't the end of the world for a bus if it stops a little less often. I use the 9 quite a bit recently (I moved near Powell a few months ago), and the biggest issue with travel times is the frequent stops. The traffic isn't nearly as big of a problem. I'd like to see the 9 kept for local service and for more rapid service reduce the number of stops to just frequent transfer points, and have it jump over the new bridge/viaduct to connect inner Powell to the Transit Mall.
Where ROW is available it's great to have queue jump lanes, but if the ROW isn't available they can still offer better express service by not needing to stop every three or four blocks. Reducing boarding time by adding ticketing machines at the express stops would help things a bit as well.
Perfect, grade separated, high speed service would be nice along Powell, but it'd also be nice to see TriMet just accept that not every major corridor needs to be light rail to effectively move people.
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