Responding to the leading complaint about the Portland Streetcar—that they move too slow to be useful compared to other modes—service will temporarily make fewer stops along routes in the Pearl District and Downtown.
"Portland Streetcar is planning to temporarily close five stops in downtown Portland and the Pearl District in an effort to speed up travel," reports Elliot Njus.
"The trial, expected to begin in February and last at least a month, targets places where frequent stops take a toll on travel time and where collisions tend to block tracks and take trains out of service."
According to Njus, the speed of the streetcar is the number one complaint of both riders and non-riders. The month-long trail will allow Portland Streetcar Inc. to collect data on the operation of the system to determine whether the measures were sufficient to improve the speed of the system.
The decision to consolidate—or "thin"—stops is also on the table in Los Angeles, where the county transit agency is considering a plan that would remove stops for the bus system in the hopes of speeding up buses as they travel along their route.
FULL STORY: Portland Streetcar to try limiting stops to speed service
Akron Putting Finishing Touches on Bus System Overhaul
Akron Metro RTA recently announced the details of an overhaul of its bus system—the reorganization will affect every one of the system's 36 fixed bus routes.
District DOT Considering Stop Consolidation to Speed Up Transit
The tough task of removing bus stops to speed up travel times is on the table in Washington, D.C.
Bus Service Cut in Portland as Driver Shortage Lingers
Like many transit agencies around the country, the regional transit agency for Portland, Oregon is struggling to attract enough bus drivers to maintain planned levels of transit service.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service