Transportation talks MAX, priorities, & possible funding

TriMet's Grant O'Connell and Tom Mills gave a short update about the possible closure of MAX stops in downtown Portland.
O'Connell said the stops being considered for closure have nearby stops within a 1-2 block area - it equals walking about a row of booths at Saturday Market.
He said this is one step in trying to speed up the whole system (MAX is short for Metropolitan Area Express).
He said this is one step in trying to speed up the whole system (MAX is short for Metropolitan Area Express).
Right now a five mile stretch outside the downtown core takes 9-11 minutes to travel by MAX, while the three miles through downtown Portland currently takes 22 minutes.
One committee member pointed out that if you are competing with travel via a single occupancy car, it requires speeding up transit service, saying it's about people getting to work and home in a timely manner.
Committee members also visited with Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers, who asked the group to think about what projects it sees as being a priority.
WEA Executive Director and County Commissioner Pam Treece also gave an update on the Metro Transportation Funding Task Force she co-chairs.