Letter to the Editor:
Oregon; A State of Transit Deception

Without real change, Oregon will remain a state of transit deception; superior now but in serious trouble for the future.

Photos by Bonnie King Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Look around the Willamette Valley and you will see the Max train running through Portland, buses riding through neighborhoods, and trains that cross state lines into Washington.

You may see all of this and think Oregon has public transportation pretty well figured out, as most people do, and reside in the comfort that with all the problems our country faces today, at least Oregon can get from point A to point B better than anyone else in America. While Oregon's public transit is excellent now, it lacks the long-term vision and plan to make sure it stays atop the leader amongst its fellow states.

Oregon's public transit system is a system of deception. There will be an estimated 1 million people moving in over the next few decades, roads that need to be maintained and fixed, buses that need better efficiency, and expansion of rail lines, yet Oregon has no long-term plan. For instance, the Pacific Northwest region received $590 million this year in stimulus money to jump start rail lines, increase frequency and reliability, and maximize efficiency, yet Oregon received only $8 million while Washington received the other $582 million.

The reason: Oregon had no long term plan, didn't do the required studies, and had no money committed. Oregon needs to catch up in order to be ready for the next federal dollars to come in.

We have an opportunity to ensure that the leadership from the next Governor and our local elected officials has a clear vision to move past our current challenges and expand clean efficient transportation, fix and maintain our roads, and invest in transit for the future.

Otherwise, Oregon will remain a state of transit deception; superior now but in serious trouble for the future.