Originally Posted by
randya
Yes, Portland is continuing to build light rail and as it does so is phasing out bus lines. Right now there is only bus service across the river to Vancouver, and Washington residents have voted several times against bringing light rail to Clark County. Right now there is also already a light rail line parallel to the freeway that ends on the Oregon side just south of the river.
Why people ride their cars into the city really escapes me. When I visit boston next week, I will take my car to Riverside MBTA station (it IS cheaper to drive than take AmTrak from Springfield) and take the venerable Green Line right into the city. No parking to worry about; no traffic and driving around Boston (which I did once a few years ago and hated it.)
Hopefully the suburban stations will become loci for cluster development, retail establishments in the stations, etc. Some of the rent businesses pay for these facilities should go toward improving rail further so that it becomes a self fulfilling thing.
roughstuff