From: "Friends of Transit NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit NEWS" Subject: Thousands of Portlanders are enthusiastic about MAX Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 10:46 PM October 26, 2001 To the Editor: I'm so very sorry that Robert J. Schroeder ("Portland's Light Rail is a Costly Mess") had such a miserable time in my hometown, Portland Oregon. It sounds like he couldn't find a single happy - or knowledgeable - person to talk to. Based on his diatribe against MAX, our light rail line, one would think that Portland is overwhelmed by bankrupt businesses, riddled with corrupt transportation planners, and peopled with citizens who have been left by the side of the tracks, confined to their seedy neighborhoods. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I cannot account for the company Mr. Schroeder keeps or his penchant for overlooking the obvious, but I can attest to the thousands of Portlanders who are, quite frankly, downright enthusiastic about MAX. Since the first line opened (on time and under budget) in 1986, ridership has increased dramatically -- on weekends as well as weekdays. The opening of our second line in 1998 (also on time and under budget) attracted more than 150,000 to the celebration - and many of those continue to ride MAX on a regular basis. Even people who drive appreciate MAX, since 75% of MAX riders are commuters who used to be part of the rush hour congestion. In fact, MAX enjoys a 98% approval rating from the region's citizens. These are not the statistics of a city that hates its investment in light rail. Mr. Schroeder also came to the absurd conclusion that the business community opposes MAX due to construction problems, cost overruns, and alignment decisions. Had he talked with business leaders, he would have learned that businesses throughout the Portland region have overwhelmingly supported MAX with their endorsements, their dollars, and their future. Some of the most respected members of our business community have provided the leadership for Tri-Met, our transit agency. The MAX alignment provides some of the hottest real estate locations in the region, since businesses know they can count on a high volume of customers as well as easy employee access for decades to come. Perhaps that's why the Portland Trail Blazers built the Rose Garden Arena on MAX - and actually increased their investment by converting existing (and now extra) parking spaces to retail use. I was heartened to see, however, that Mr. Schroeder wanted to do more than paint an ugly picture of Portland, that he had a better solution in mind. Unfortunately, his vision of a 'superior' Disneyland-style monorail for Portland doesn't inspire me at all. The above-ground cars would pull riders away from our streets and shops, reduce riders' ability to see the passing attractions, and require large ugly structures and massive overhead stations in the middle of our streets and sidewalks, our most important public space. Yes, a monorail works well in Disneyland - to whisk people across vast wastelands of parking lots to a fantasy destination. In Portland, we don't have vast parking lots or fantasy destinations. We have streets filled with people, good shopping, sound businesses - and light rail. Over the past few years, I've had the pleasure of visiting Phoenix several times and meeting decision-makers, business leaders, and community activists who are dedicated to increasing the livability of the Phoenix region. Now that your fair city has approved funding for light rail, they're working hard to ensure that Phoenix get a light rail system that not only moves people reliably and efficiently, but adds value to your city's special places. It doesn't have to look or function like MAX -- after all, Phoenix is different from Portland. (I understand that we get a little more rain than you do.) It does, however, have to work for Phoenix. MAX has worked well for us, although apparently not everyone sees it that way. Hopefully, the next time Mr. Schroeder visits Portland, he chooses better hosts. He's bound to get a better picture of Money magazine's "Best Big City". Sincerely, Earl Blumenauer Member of Congress Letters to the Editor The Arizona Republic P.O. Box 2244 Phoenix, AZ 85002 Submitted by Fax: 602/444-8933