Podcasts about TriMet

We're talking about the free shuttle bus service to the Zoo and Forest Park coming this summer, and the major cuts coming to TriMet services and staffing. Plus, we're digging into the best of Albina. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are JT Flowers, a TriMet board member and Albina Vision Trust's government affairs and communications director, and local food reporter and supporter of all things public transit, Alex Frane. Discussed in today's episode: Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle [portland.gov] Bus and MAX reductions coming this summer as TriMet is struggling for new revenue [Oregonian] JT Flowers Is Planting the Seeds of Northeast Portland's Future [Willamette Week] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: D'Amore Law Oregon Department of Transportation

Public records obtained by economist Joe Cortright reveal the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program allocates $320 million to TriMet's Ruby Junction maintenance facility in Gresham — 20 miles from the bridge — while the overall IBR price tag has ballooned from $3.2 billion to potentially $15 billion. Rep. John Ley of the 18th Legislative District breaks down the numbers and questions who is accountable. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-ibr-shell-game-for-trimet-at-ruby-junction/ #IBR #TriMet #RubyJunction #Interstatebridge #Transportation #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #LightRail #Opinion #Politics ---

Camas resident Douglas Tweet presents ridership data showing TriMet's MAX light rail lines have fallen to less than a third of their forecast numbers — and argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is using similar models to justify $3.5 billion in light rail spending. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-trimets-history-of-over-predicting-light-rail-ridership/ #TriMet #LightRail #IBR #InterstateBridge #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Transportation #Opinion #WashingtonState #CamasWA ---

Sound Transit's ST3 rail program is $35 billion short — $10,294 for every person in its district. Bob Pishue of Mountain States Policy Center breaks down the taxes, broken promises, and "strategic misrepresentation" that could soon hit Southwest Washington taxpayers funding TriMet's light rail extension into Clark County. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-its-time-to-save-taxpayers-from-sound-transits-strategic-misrepresentation/ #SoundTransit #LightRail #ClarkCounty #Transportation #Taxpayers #WashingtonState #Opinion #PublicTransit #IBR

Today we're talking about why our city council is fighting over whether Portlanders should pay for a Moda Center renovation, and some major changes coming to our city's transit lines. Plus, we'll offer a few of our top picks from Beaverton's growing food scene. Joining City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza are food and drink reporter Alex Frane and our very own senior producer Guilia Fiaoni. Discussed in today's episode: Portland City Council members are divided over Moda Center funding, secret negotiations [KGW8] TriMet officials vote on major changes to Portland-area bus routes, shortening of MAX Green Line [Oregonian] Beaverton Restaurants and Food Carts Worth the Slog Down 26 [Portland Monthly] It's our spring membership drive! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/portland. If you enjoyed this interview with Hannah Vassar, the senior manager of engineering at TaskRabbit, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 27th episode: League of Women's Voters Visit Central Oregon

Rep. John Ley exposes how the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program allocates 54% of bridge surface to transit while costs skyrocket to $14.4 billion. He argues Portland's TriMet needs a federal bailout to cover their $300 million budget gap, pointing to Cincinnati's 10-lane bridge project that secured $1.6 billion in federal funding without any transit component. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-rep-john-ley-i-5-bridge-replacement-project-is-a-light-rail-project-in-search-of-a-bridge/ #IBR #LightRail #Transportation #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState

Douglas Tweet presents compelling C-TRAN ridership data showing bus use across the I-5 bridge has dropped by half since 2006, questioning the IBR's $3.5 billion light rail investment when current Route 60 serves just 900 daily boardings. His analysis challenges IBR forecasts predicting 20-fold ridership growth by 2045, citing TriMet's history of inflated projections that consistently exceed reality. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-update-extremely-low-bus-ridership-does-not-justify-expensive-trimet-light-rail/ #IBR #LightRail #Transportation #ClarkCounty #PublicTransit #BusRidership #TriMet #I5Bridge #TransitData #TaxWaste

Rep. John Ley exposes TriMet's staggering financial mismanagement as the agency posts an $850 million operating loss while demanding Clark County taxpayers fund MAX light rail operations. With costs per passenger mile jumping 75% in two years and ridership still 30% below pre-pandemic levels, serious questions emerge about the IBR's plan to prioritize six light rail construction packages in 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-everything-about-trimet-screams-poor-management/ #TriMet #IBR #LightRail #Transportation #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #PublicTransit #TaxpayerFunding #Opinion #Politics

TriMet's operating expenses grew 194% while ridership dropped 26%. Bob Pishue argues that rising costs and declining demand make the current I-5 bridge plan unsustainable. He urges officials to avoid repeating past mistakes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-ballooning-cost-of-the-i-5-bridge-between-oregon-and-washington-is-unjustified/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #PublicPolicy #Transit #ClarkCounty #ColumbiaRiver #TriMet #CTran #PacificNorthwest #Transportation

C-TRAN will provide free service on all Local, Regional, and Express routes, including The Current and C-VAN, on February 4 in observance of Transit Equity Day, joining TriMet and Portland Streetcar in honoring the civil rights legacy of Rosa Parks. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-offering-free-service-on-transit-equity-day-feb-4/ #TransitEquityDay #CTRAN #PublicTransportation #RosaParks #ClarkCounty

What does a “G.O.A.T.” moment really look like for in-house counsel—and what truly gets your goat along the way? In this episode, Host Cecilia Lahaye (Bird & Bird LLP) sits down with IADC member and in-house counsel Leta Gorman (Senior Deputy General Counsel, TriMet) for a candid fireside chat about what her work life truly looks like. She shares the greatest feeling of all time in her role (and why it has nothing to do with case outcomes), along with the challenges and frustrations that come with watching businesses be taken advantage of in litigation. Leta also reminds us what ultimately matters most in this profession: credibility, integrity, and reputation. When your work reflects those values, you can be proud of what you put out into the world—every single day.

First, an update on yesterday's breaking news about the two people shot by federal immigration agents in Portland. Then we're talking about National Guard troops in Oregon finally being told to go home, Governor Tina Kotek's push to repeal a transportation package she supported, and TriMet's plan to cut bus lines in response to their budget crisis. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week's Friday news roundup are Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Residents Raise Funds for Town With Nearly Nude Calendar [CBS] Trump Warns Portland, ‘We'll Go Back In When the Crime Starts,' as National Guard Demobilizes [Oregonian] Gov. Tina Kotek Calls for Repeal of Controversial Transportation Package She Championed [Oregonian] TriMet To Eliminate Portland-Area Bus Routes, Shorten MAX Green Line Amid Budget Crisis [Oregonian]   Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 9th episode: Lan Su Chinese Garden Neo Home Loans

At TriMet's December board meeting, director Tyler Frisbee lectured attendees on how 82nd Avenue business owners and motorists should embrace TriMet's takeover of auto lanes for exclusive busways.TriMet refers to these as Business Access Transit or BAT lanes—which is Orwell's doublespeak for the opposite effect—reducing business access for people in cars. Portland Bureau of Transportation's alleged “improvement” of 82nd only turns a street made for cars into an avenue for the minority of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders.82nd is another flagship for how PBOT intends to “improve” more streets -- by taking away auto lanes to be re-striped as “bus-only” lanes. Traffic modeling shows, of course, this will greatly distress peak-hour travel times by 50 percent and divert motorists to I-205.TriMet's 72 bus line will be the only beneficiary of this change. A bus that runs every 12 minutes during peak hours, means BAT lanes will be unused most of the time while motorists eye an empty lane, confined to Los Angeles style gridlock.TriMet and PBOT are moving towards a likely February decision on the BAT lanes -- and many business owners have threatened legal action for loss of access to their shops.Director Frisbee, meanwhile, took 10 minutes to make unsubstantiated assertions, to which Cascade's President, John Charles, has written a response you can read at cascadepolicy.org. Like an evangelist, Tyler Frisbee pleas for Portlanders to repent from their car-centric ways and embrace the narrow vision of PBOT's Transportation System Plan -- whose tenets are known as “Vision Zero:” Stop designing roads around people in cars to make driving more painful, and convert major roads into avenues for walking, bicycling, and public transit.At the February meeting, the TriMet Board should withdraw this idea and end its war on the majority of people in cars.

* Budget cuts, oh wait, maybe things are not that bad? Should agencies still do the 2.5% cuts in short session just because it looks like they can ?* Gas tax bill looking like we got more than 150,000 signatures already. What are the options going forward now? Governor Kotek has the worst advisors in America. Her comments reflect that. * Is the tide really changing on the transgender ideology? https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2025/11/oregon-school-district-pays-650k-to-settle-suit-over-gender-identity-policy.html* Will Democrats admit that there is not a homeless problem there is a drug problem in Oregon? It has nothing to do with the price of homes, shelters or all the other “causes” of homelessness. It is DRUGS. https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/11/portlands-new-overnight-only-shelters-are-rarely-full-new-data-shows.html• TRIMET is a freaking train wreck. Pun intended. No one rides and with a $300 million budget hole, they cut 26 positions to only save $17 million. They need to start tearing up track and just doing core lines east and west/etc. This is a campaign issue that no governor wants to take up but they should. They can win over metro voters. https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/11/trimet-lays-off-26-employees-as-it-tries-to-close-300-million-budget-shortfall.htmlReagan and Bryan share their thoughts on who to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving. We live in interesting times with changes happening all the time. As Republicans in Oregon, we can be thankful for Phil Knight not giving up on Republicans and Oregon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.crosstabs.studio

This opinion column details TriMet's mounting financial problems, citing steep losses, reduced ridership, rising labor costs, tax increases, and major cuts that still fall short of stabilizing the agency, while urging Clark County residents to avoid financial entanglements with TriMet. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimets-fiscal-cliff-continues-to-be-a-warning-to-clark-county-and-oregon-residents/ #TriMet #TransitCrisis #ClarkCounty #Transportation #Opinion #IBR #LightRail

This opinion column by Rep. John Ley for Clark County Today explains how TriMet's spare MAX light rail vehicles, revised IBR ridership projections, Federal Transit Administration data, and higher MAX operating costs compare with C-TRAN's bus service, outlining why existing vehicles and current bus resources can cover the proposed Yellow Line extension without new MAX purchases. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimet-needs-zero-new-light-rail-vehicles-for-the-i-5-bridge-replacement/ #Opinion #TriMet #Transportation #LightRail #CTRAN #IBR #TransitCosts #ClarkCounty #MAX

TriMet has a Board Retreat this week. Looking at their agenda, the first thing you'd notice is what's missing. You won't find any urgency to address their financial decline—or touch on operating losses of $850 million in 2024.The only agenda items to mention money are the “Financial Scorecard Update” and “Federal Grants Update.” But TriMet's problems go far beyond keeping score of revenue and expenses.According to financial reports, every metric related to productivity, cost-effectiveness, and financial sustainability has declined for 10 years.Fare revenue—down 52 percent; rides down, 28 percent; farebox recovery down, 8 percent from 34 percent.The only things going up are taxes and bureaucracy. TriMet's tax revenue is up 75 percent; labor cost, up 86 percent; full-time employees, up 19 percent; administrative, up 88 percent.Undeterred, however, TriMet still plans to expand light rail into Washington, whose express bus is already superior to light rail. And to spend $350 million on reducing lanes for 82nd Avenue.Wednesday's agenda should focus primarily on the crisis at hand: how to reduce costs and raise revenue. TriMet doesn't even have a minimum farebox standard. It should.Our advice to the TriMet board? Use your time wisely. Procrastination is not a strategy.TriMet Retreat Should Focus on Crisis, Not Expansion 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation--or PBOT--is spending tens of millions to convert miles of a four-lane state highway, known as 82nd avenue, into a two-lane neighborhood street and busway.TriMet is headed for a contentious decision November 7th to put 82nd Ave on a major “Road Diet,” cut motorist capacity in half, and replace car lanes with BAT lanes for bikes and transit. It all started three years ago when ODOT transferred the Portland section of 82nd to PBOT, who began spending millions on a scheme to “build a better 82nd avenue.”PBOT's overarching vision—for 82nd and others—means converting state highways to busways by reducing lanes, adding barriers, punishing motorists with gridlock, and calling it progress. It's part of Portland's “Transportation System Plan” that envisions walking, bicycling, transit, and shared vehicles for 70 percent of Portland. Their “strategy for people movement” literally does not include personal vehicles.When Metro, PBOT, and TriMet meet--a rabble of bike activists, lawyers, and Democratic Socialists plan to make a showing and demand more miles of dedicated BAT lanes for buses and bikes on state highways.Oregon motorists make up 90 percent of 82nd avenue users. They're busy living their lives—not attending PBOT meetings. This time, when TriMet meets on November 7th – let them hear from you. Submit a public comment and tell them to remove BAT lanes from further consideration.

C-TRAN board members received an update from the Interstate Bridge Replacement team showing light rail operations and maintenance costs dropping from $21.8 million to $10.3 million—but only because projected service to Vancouver was cut in half. Paul Valencia reports on local concerns over TriMet's involvement and future funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/interstate-bridge-replacement-team-gives-update-to-c-tran-on-costs-associated-with-light-rail/ #CTRAN #VancouverWA #InterstateBridgeReplacement #LightRail #TriMet #Transportation #IBR #Camas #PublicTransit #Infrastructure

Rep. John Ley warns Clark County taxpayers could be forced to cover millions in TriMet light rail costs following the latest C-TRAN Board vote. He argues residents have repeatedly rejected light rail, yet officials continue pursuing taxes and agreements that shift the burden onto Clark County. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-who-will-pay-is-the-question-for-clark-county/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #LightRail #CTRAN #TriMet #Transportation #JohnLey #PublicTransitFunding

Rep. John Ley met with DOT Secretary Julie Meredith in Vancouver to discuss Southwest Washington transportation concerns. Topics included the I-5 Bridge Replacement, TriMet costs, Camas Slough Bridge potholes, ferry funding, Columbia River crossings, and infrastructure maintenance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-meets-with-the-dot-secretary-to-discuss-transportation-concerns-in-southwest-washington/ #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #Transportation #JohnLey #WSDOT #Infrastructure #IBR #ColumbiaRiver #FerrySystem

Vancouver resident Shauna Walters writes that Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle's handling of C-TRAN is a power grab forcing Clark County taxpayers to fund TriMet's failing light rail system, while smaller cities lose fair representation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-mayor-annes-power-grab/ #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor #VancouverWA #LightRail #CTRAN #TriMet #ClarkCountyWA #TransportationPolitics

In his opinion column, Rep. John Ley questions whether Clark County taxpayers should be responsible for TriMet's light rail operating costs. He highlights TriMet's history of financial mismanagement, shrinking ridership, and a funding model that favors Vancouver while small cities and rural residents pay more than their share. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimet-c-tran-who-pays-versus-who-gets-service/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #TriMet #CTRAN #Transportation #LightRail #Funding #Politics #Northwest

C-TRAN emphasized that its commitment to all Clark County jurisdictions remains unchanged despite expected changes to its board makeup. Officials highlighted recent expansions of The Current, new routes in Ridgefield and La Center, and future plans in Battle Ground, while noting concerns raised by Camas leaders over TriMet light rail funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-remains-committed-to-all-jurisdictions-regardless-of-the-makeup-of-the-c-tran-board/ #ClarkCounty #CTRAN #PublicTransportation #BoardRepresentation #VancouverWA #Camas #BattleGround #Washougal #Ridgefield #LaCenter #Yacolt

Camas city leaders are weighing whether to pull out of C-TRAN, citing a financial imbalance and loss of representation if the agency helps fund TriMet light rail. Mayor Steve Hogan, Council Member Tim Hein, and Council Member Leslie Lewallen say smaller cities are being shortchanged while Vancouver benefits most. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/camas-considers-opting-out-of-c-tran/ #Camas #Vancouver #CTRAN #PublicTransportation #LightRail #TriMet #ClarkCounty #TransitFunding #SmallCities

On July 31st, the seven Metro councilors will vote to borrow $88.5 million to help pay for five transit projects that include “road diets” in and around Portland. Once approved, Metro will have to repay the loan until 2039.To obtain the $88.5 million now, Metro will pay $140 million in principal and interest over the next 14 years. That's nearly $50 million lost to debt service, money the agency can't spend on capital investments or region-wide programs. Which projects are so urgent that Metro councilors are willing to lose $50 million? One is a 0.65-mile streetcar extension on NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, a route already served by buses. Most of the budget for that project would actually go to purchase a new fleet of streetcars to be used elsewhere.Another project shrinks 82nd Avenue from a four-lane highway to two lanes for cars, and restricts the outer lanes to TriMet buses for up to seven miles.A third project is a new Burnside Bridge, with fewer lanes than it currently has, while keeping the bus-only lane. This leaves only one eastbound lane for 45,000 people who use the bridge daily. As it is, the bridge consistently backs up for blocks during rush hour. Taking away a lane for traffic will make congestion much worse on Burnside.If you don't agree with these proposed road diets and mounting debt service, let your Metro councilor know at this week's council meeting on July 31st at 10:30.

Camas C-TRAN board member Tim Hein says he was misled into supporting language that may obligate Clark County to pay TriMet's light rail costs. He's now calling for the board to undo the vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-board-member-regrets-vote-that-could-leave-clark-county-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-light-rail/ #CTRAN #TimHein #ClarkCounty #LightRail #TriMet #TaxpayerMoney #IBR #TransitFunding #JohnLey #PublicTransit

TriMet has a new “road diet” planned for Portland, this time on 82nd Avenue. Working with Metro, TriMet is proposing a transit corridor entirely dedicated to buses. They plan to dedicate bus-only lanes, up and down both sides of the street, shrinking 82nd from a four-lane avenue down to a two-lane road for up to seven miles—from Clackamas Town Center to Portland's Cully neighborhood.The project claims that bus-only lanes are only one of the options as part of ongoing conversations, but the most recent Metro mockup on the future of 82nd Avenue prominently prioritizes “BAT lanes” (Business Access and Transit lanes) as the locally preferred alternative (LPA).By cutting car lanes in half, the bus-only lanes will increase congestion substantially. According to TriMet's own estimates, adding these lanes would cause up to 25 percent of drivers to divert from their routes to avoid traffic. Those diversions will put more stress on residential streets and neighborhoods, requiring additional safety features and maintenance. In the same document, TriMet states these new bus-only lanes will save transit riders three or four minutes at most. That's with seven straight miles of bus lanes.The purpose of 82nd Avenue—also known as Highway 213—is to move as many people and vehicles as possible from point A to point B. What moves more people: a lane that allows both cars and buses, or a lane that only allows buses?Metro Council is scheduled to consider bond funding for 82nd avenue and four other projects on July 31. Metro should eliminate bus-only “BAT lanes” from any further consideration as part of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project.

John Ley breaks down TriMet's “Better Red” light rail expansion and uncovers that most of the $204 million wasn't spent on trains, tracks, or stations. With Washington residents poised to help fund future light rail via the IBR project, Ley urges greater scrutiny of how public transit money is spent. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimet-better-red-cost-allocation-revealed/ #Opinion #TriMet #BetterRed #LightRail #IBR #MAXRedLine #PublicTransit #TransportationSpending #JohnLey #TransitAccountability

Rep. John Ley attended the C-TRAN ribbon cutting for Vancouver's newest Bus Rapid Transit line and voiced support for more affordable, flexible transit solutions. Citing lower operating costs and faster travel times than TriMet's MAX light rail, Ley said adding BRT to the IBR could save $2 billion and better serve Clark County residents. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/rep-john-ley-supports-c-tran-bus-rapid-transit-to-save-washington-money/ #JohnLey #CTRAN #BRT #TransitPolicy #ClarkCountyWA #TransportationFunding #WSUVancouver #MAXLightRail #TaxpayerSavings #InterstateBridg

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance scrutinizes the C-TRAN Board's stance on covering $7.2 million annually for TriMet's light rail operations, despite an admission from IBR's Greg Johnson that other funding options exist. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-would-c-tran-board-members-put-the-agency-on-the-hook-for-7-2-million-annually-if-they-dont-have-to/ #CTRAN #LightRail #ClarkCountyPolitics #KenVance #VancouverWA #IBR #TransitCosts #PublicSpending #ClarkCountyWa

An opinion column by Rep. John Ley explores TriMet's rising costs, declining ridership, proposed tax hikes, and possible service cuts in Portland and Clark County. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-max-costs-and-reduced-service-at-trimet/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #TriMet #Opinion #transit #MAX #I5Bridge #Vancouver #buses #Oregon

With so many city, county, and state jurisdictions overlapping in Portland, keeping track of who does what in our regional governments can sometimes feel like an impossible task. That's why today, senior producer Giulia Fiaoni is stepping in as unofficial quiz master to test host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni on their knowledge of local governments. Do you really know the difference between PBOT and TriMet? Take the quiz alongside us and let's see who wins! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode: Oregon Health Authority PaintCare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's lightning round of news includes Governor Tina Kotek eyeing the kicker for wildfire costs, TriMet's new idea to curb fare evasion, an Oregon coast train ride for stargazing, and more. Host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni give their microdose of news and dive into our mailbag to hear from listeners on today's midweek roundup.  Discussed in Today's Episode: Chaotic Administration of Portland Anti-Displacement Policy Leaves Affordable Apartments Vacant [Oregonian] TriMet Considers Adding Gates To Stop Fare Evasion As It Faces $74 Million Deficit [KATU]  Gov. Tina Kotek Now Supports Withholding $1B of Oregon's ‘Kicker' for Wildfire Costs [OPB]  Oregon Route Named One of the Best Train Rides in the U.S. for Stargazing [Oregonian] Oregon Bill Would Allow Youth To Vote in School Board Elections [Oregon Capital Chronicle] Portland Voters Support Nearly Doubling Size of Police Force, Polling Shows [Willamette Week] A Shrinking State Budget Forecast, the County Cuts Tent Access, and a Lightning Round of News [City Cast Portland] The Gigantic PPS School Bond on Your May 20 Ballot. Plus, Our Listener Mailbag [City Cast Portland]  Portland's Full of Empty Buildings. Could a Vacancy Tax Help? [City Cast Portland] Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: Oregon Health Authority PaintCare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington State Rep. John Ley is sounding the alarm over TriMet's high-priced light rail vehicle demands for the IBR project, urging a full review and better alternatives. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/trimet-seeks-190m-290m-for-interstate-bridge-light-rail-vehicles-charging-taxpayers-up-to-15m-per-vehicle-triple-the-4-5m-cost/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #JohnLey #TriMet #InterstateBridgeReplacement #IBR #MAXLightRail #publictransit #taxpayerfunding #transportation

Rep. John Ley questions TriMet's recent MAX vehicle purchases, noting that most were for replacements — not expansion. He urges greater transparency around regional transit decisions. Leehttps://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/opinion-trimet-contract-max-vehicles-cost-4-5-million/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #TriMet #MAXlightRail #JohnLey #transportation #Vancouver

John Ley breaks down the numbers behind TriMet's ridership drop and what it means for public transit in Clark County and beyond. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/troubled-trimet-and-fleecing-taxpayers-with-lrt/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #TriMet #transportation #publictransit #ridership

It is a bleak time for mass transit all throughout the U.S. The challenges here in the Portland metro area are many and pronounced.TriMet is providing about 30 million fewer rides each year than it did in 2019 — and the recovery appears to be slowing way down. Rider safety has been a persistent concern since the pandemic. Fare evasion is rampant. Meanwhile, TriMet's subsidy per ride has soared by more than 400% in the last decade. And the regional transit agency is now raising the prospect of staggering service cuts over the next few years. On the latest Beat Check, Oregonian/OregonLive reporters Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and Mike Rogoway examine this perilous moment for public transit in the Portland region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John A. Charles Jr. critiques TriMet's push for expansion amid deep financial losses and declining ridership, urging the Board to scale back and refocus. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-do-we-still-need-trimet/ #TriMet #transitfunding #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #publicpolicy #Vancouver #Oregonnews #buscuts #lightrail #CascadePolicy

Recently The Oregonian published a feature about TriMet's ongoing death spiral. Since 2015, the agency's annual revenue from passenger fares has dropped from $117 million to $59 million, while operating expenses have grown. As a result, TriMet's operating loss last year was $850 million.TriMet is begging state legislators for a bailout, but we've already tried that. The legislature approved payroll tax rate increases in both 2003 and 2009. As a result, TriMet is now almost entirely funded by taxpayers.TriMet anticipates that it will have to eliminate up to 51 of its bus lines by 2031 if it cannot improve its financial condition. We should probably let that happen. Transit is important only if people choose to use it. Most people in the metro region are making other choices.Unfortunately, TriMet is in denial about these trends. The agency is planning to expand light rail service to Vancouver and tear up 82nd Avenue to accommodate bus rapid transit.The TriMet Board is holding a strategic planning retreat this week. The Board should shut down plans for new service and prepare for the retrenchment that the market is demanding.

Rep. John Ley raises alarms over Portland's TriMet financial crisis and its implications for Clark County taxpayers. With major cuts coming and costs soaring, he questions whether local leaders should continue supporting the MAX light rail extension as part of the I-5 Bridge Replacement. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trimets-fiscal-cliff-a-caution-for-clark-county-taxpayers/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #TriMet #IBR #transportation #JohnLey #Vancouver #OregonTransit #CTRAN

Rep. John Ley shares his concerns about proposed tax hikes, tolling, and transportation funding in Olympia, highlighting issues such as property tax caps, bridge tolls, and TriMet's expansion. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-stage-is-set-for-a-battle-royale/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #JohnLey #WashingtonTaxes #PropertyTax #InterstateBridge #LightRailFunding #OlympiaPolitics #statebudget

Veteran journalist Marvin Case offers sharp criticism of the I-5 bridge replacement project, calling for a third Columbia River crossing and questioning the push for costly light rail. He challenges local officials to explain their positions and warns of decisions made by unelected bureaucrats. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-fix-is-in/ #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #I5Bridge #lightrail #ColumbiaRiverBridge #publictransit #TriMet #busrapidtransit #MarvinCase

Should Clark County taxpayers be on the hook for TriMet's light rail expansion? A $7.2 million annual demand has ignited controversy, with Councilor Michelle Belkot opposing the funding—only to be removed from the C-TRAN Board. As tolls and new taxes loom, residents are left questioning whether this financial burden is justified.Why are local leaders backing TriMet's plan, and what does this mean for Clark County's future? Get the full breakdown and find out how you can make your voice heard.Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-michelle-belkot-wants-to-protect-your-wallet-and-not-pay-for-trimets-light-rail-om/#InterstateBridgeReplacementProgram #Vancouver #CTRAN #SueMarshall #ClarkCounty #O&Mcosts #IBR #busrapidtransit #fixedrouteservice #ClarkCountyCouncil #Vancouvermayor #paratransitservice #MAXlightrail #salestaxrevenue #lightrail #CTRANBoard #MichelleBelkot #TriMet #Vanpoolservice #tolls #AnneMcEneryOgle #localnews #ClarkCountyWa

The Clark County Council has removed Michelle Belkot from the C-TRAN Board of Directors after she opposed funding TriMet's light rail operations and maintenance. The move, which followed a heated C-TRAN board discussion, has sparked debate over local transit funding and political decision-making.Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/michelle-belkot-speaks-out-after-clark-county-council-kicks-her-off-c-tran-board/ www.ClarkCountyToday.com#MichelleBelkot #CTRAN #LightRailFunding #ClarkCountyCouncil #TransitPolicy #InterstateBridge #PublicTransit #LocalGovernment #ClarkCountyWa #WashingtonState #LocalNews

On March 11 the Joint Transportation Committee of the Oregon Legislature took testimony on HB 3453, which would create a new transit authority with a mission to take over TriMet's Westside Express Service (WES) commuter line and expand it to Eugene.While I share the enthusiasm of the bill's sponsors for passenger rail, the history of WES shows that a market for commuter rail does not exist.WES was originally projected to cost $65 million and open in 2000. It actually cost $161.2 million and opened in 2009. TriMet predicted that opening-year ridership would average 2,500 average daily boardings. Actual ridership averaged 1,140.Daily ridership peaked in 2014 at 1,964 daily boardings, then dropped in each successive year. During 2024 WES averaged just 477 boardings per day.Since each rider typically takes two daily train trips, that means WES only has about 240 actual customers.With such little ridership, public subsidies are costly. Last year the operating cost per boarding ride on WES averaged $103, far in excess of the standard TriMet fare of $2.80.There is no business case for expanding commuter rail. In fact, taxpayers would be better off if we canceled WES, sold the train cars, and moved the few customers back to buses.

Rep. John Ley raises concerns over TriMet's funding demands, urging the C-TRAN Board to reject a $7 million annual subsidy and a costly light rail expansion. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-has-been-revealed-about-trimet-in-multiple-clark-county-today-articles-over-the-past-few-years-is-eye-opening/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #TriMetFunding #CTRANBoard #TaxpayerImpact #I5Bridge #ClarkCountyWa #LocalNews

Hey Friends~  Holidays are a time that we create stories. Stories have the power to draw our families together and we can weave into those stories the lessons that we really want our kids to know! Listening to stories is a fabulous way to TRAIN OUR IMAGINATION AND OUR LISTENING SKILLS at the same time!  Do you do any “Listen-Only” stories?  Human brains are developing differently now with so much  screen exposure.   Today, we have a master storyteller here with us!  Bob Hastings shares how his creativity was sparked through storytelling with his  kids and grandkids.  Then, he realized the immense impact and influence the stories had!  Don't underestimate the power of storytelling and what YOU can do with it!! Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com     ABOUT THE GUEST:    When Bob's children Andrew Wood and Erin Katherine were young, Bob made up "Woody and Katie Stories" based on their middle names. Fast forward a few decades and Drew's son Arlo asked "Bear King" (the name he calls Bob) to tell him a "wind story." That prompted Bob to create this podcast series, drawing on the arc of the adventure books he loved as a kid and continuing the tradition of naming characters loosely on children's names. Grandsons Arlo is "Loar" and Oren is "Roen." Grandnieces Aurora, Delaney and Allessandra are featured, too. They visit neighborhoods where family members live. Before he retired from the TriMet transit agency, Bob oversaw the architectural design of the Tilikum Crossing Bridge of the People over the Willamette River. He also managed the agency's alternative energy projects. Today, Bob lives in a Portland high-rise "sky cave" condo tower by the river, bridge and Ross Island. He and his wife "Bear Queen" drive an all-electric car. CONTACT THE GUEST:   bob@oregonbydesign.com Enjoy Bob Hasting's podcast: "Bear King & Bobo Chico Stories for Kids" :  https://bearkingbobochico.buzzsprout.com/share     Affiliate RESOURCES to help:  BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don't want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3     YOUR NEXT STEPS: Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin Freebie:   21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  hello@thelanguageofplay.com ** For Speaking Engagements or For 1:1 or Group Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com      If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:  93 Teaching Kids To Express Gratitude In 2 Easy Steps! 95 Do You Have A Picky Eater? Have a Holiday Plan! Join For A Success Story with Everyday Parent, Kristi! 96 A Thanksgiving Story of Squanto Shared From Dinalynn's Home Library 103 Traveling With Littles? 3 Magic Ways To Have A Happier Trip! 115 - 3 Ways To Ensure Travel With Kids Is Enjoyable!

A customer survey conducted earlier this year by TriMet found that about half of riders don't feel safe using public transit in Portland. But TriMet has quadrupled its safety budget in recent years, and both calls for police assistance and operator assaults are down. So is riding the bus and MAX actually getting safer? Today, we're talking with Andrew Wilson, TriMet's executive director of safety and security. He's updating us on what the transit agency is doing not only to keep its riders safe but also to change the perception of safety on our city's transit system. Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 26 episode: Forrit Credit Union Beaver State Market Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting in September, HB 4002 will go into effect and will recriminalize possession of small amounts of controlled substances. Portland’s public transportation agency TriMet is hopeful this could bring changes to the system that has faced a number of challenges in recent years, including a historic driver shortage, increased assaults on operators and more. Since 2021, TriMet has been stepping up its enforcement efforts, and in July of this year, it began increasing enforcement of fares and other rules. Andrew Wilson is the agency’s chief safety officer and its executive director of safety and security. He joins us to share more.