Portland — Lake Oswego Streetcar Is Best Option

Rail Transit Online, September 2010

An analysis of rapid transit modes on a route from Portland's South Waterfront to Lake Oswego has shown streetcars to be preferable in terms of ridership, travel time and operational cost-effectiveness.

The study, which included enhanced bus service and the "no-build" option, was commissioned by the Metro regional government and will be added to the draft environmental impact statement that will soon be submitted to the FTA.

The report projected daily streetcar hoardings at just under 12,000 by 2035 compared to about 9,800 on buses; both would operate every 10 to 12 min. during peak hours and every 15 to 20 min. at other times.

The Lake Oswego line would be an extension of the existing Portland Streetcar network and could cost between $380 million and $458 million. Metro hopes to start construction in 2015 if it can obtain a 60-percent federal contribution from the New Starts program.