Line 43, not 39 for Lewis & Clark
Why Line 43 should serve the college instead of having Line 39 go downtown
BACKGROUND: Line 39 is an underperforming route and was cancelled on the weekends starting Fall 2009. Part of the reason for its low ridership is that Lewis & Clark College has its own private RAZ-operated shuttles, including the Pioneer Express, which provides direct service to downtown Portland. Lewis & Clark is requesting that Line 39 be extended to downtown Portland in exchange for the cancellation of at least their downtown shuttle and using the money to purchase transit passes for possibly all students and employees.
Below is a copy of the e-mail I sent to Lewis & Clark regarding my views on their request:
Overall, I want to give you credit for actively pursuing this. Combining the shuttles with the 39 is among my ideas for improving TriMet; however, it was not something that I thought could be done since I didn\'t think that L&C was willing to give up the shuttles. But have you considered asking TriMet to bring Line 43 onto campus instead of having the 39 continue to downtown? It seems like it would be a much better solution since:
- Line 43 already goes along Taylors Ferry, pretty close to the Lewis & Clark campus. While diverting it to L&C would increase trip times for through passengers, anyone wanting to go between places west of Barbur Blvd and downtown can transfer to/from Lines 12 or 94. Doing that does mean a transfer, but it is faster and anyone who really wants direct service can still ride Line 43.
- Line 43 already goes downtown. There would be no need to increase the number of buses going downtown (aside from any additional service desired over Line 43\'s levels), reducing congestion/pollution/etc and un-needed capacity (when considering all service between SW Portland and downtown)
- It could "kill two birds with one stone". Like the 39, Line 43 is also an underperforming route and may have its weekend service eliminated. Putting Lewis & Clark\'s ridership on the 43 would make it more productive and probably save it even before any assistance from L&C. The 39 could still be eliminated on the weekends if need be without ending all service to the campus.
- Line 43 is more direct to downtown. Especially if service to Hillsdale is continued, the 39 would take longer since it would have to zigzag over to 13th/Barbur and then to Bertha and Capitol Hwy.
- Line 43 would also provide direct service to points west of the campus, all the way to Washington Square. This would also mean better service to Tigard, since people could transfer at Barbur Transit Center instead of going up to 19th (Capitol Hill) for the 39.
- In addition, if desired, the 39 could be extended to either Lake Oswego or Sellwood, possibly replacing other shuttle services. While full-size buses can not currently use the Sellwood Bridge, LIFT-type vehicles can and may provide enough capacity for the ridership.