Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Around the Block

Portland Has a Plan to Do for Buses What It Did for Cycling

11:41 AM EDT on June 23, 2017

A city best known for its bike infrastructure has been giving some thought to how its streets can be designed to better serve people who ride the bus.

Portland officials are developing a plan for a network of "Enhanced Transit Corridors," carving out space in the street for buses so vehicles with 30 passengers aren't stuck in a quagmire of vehicles carrying just one.

Portland is starting the process of holding public meetings and gathering feedback for the plan. Though the proposed corridors aren't final, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has identified a handful of high-ridership bus routes where improvements would be a priority.

Jonathan Maus at Bike Portland gives a sneak preview of the city's concept:

Based on a toolkit PBOT has already developed, “middle transit” is like a high-powered bus line that stops short of being the type of full-fledged bus rapid transit (BRT) systems we see in places like China and Colombia. Their enhanced transit corridors will have things like bus-only lanes, traffic signal priority, fewer and more efficient stops, better bikeway integration and more.

Working with TriMet data, PBOT has already identified several corridors they’d like to move forward with. They want to gain funding to plan for changes to line 72 (between Killingsworth and 82nd), 12 (NE Sandy Blvd), and (MLK Jr. Blvd to Jantzen Beach). The idea is to get a list of projects into the City’s Transportation System Plan and Metro’s Regional Transportation Plan.

If this “enhanced transit” becomes a real thing -- the impact to the bicycling environment could be profound. With better transit we’ll see fewer cars which leads to safer roads, stronger community connections, more efficient mobility for everyone, cleaner air, and more bicycling and walking.

More recommended reading today: First State Bikes says a package of bicycle safety measures, including a rule that would allow cyclists to treat stop signs like yield signs, is likely on its way to passage in the Delaware Statehouse. And Greater Greater Washington reports that higher fares and reduced service go into effect across the WMATA system this weekend.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023

Police Brass Gets Booed During E-Vehicle Safety Alliance Meeting for Applauding Deliveristas

Attendees of the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance's latest meeting castigated a Transportation Bureau deputy inspector for saying that delivery workers are responsive to safety issues.

September 28, 2023
See all posts