First off, just look at these awesome Google Transit Maps. I’ve got a few thoughts below though.

Trip Part I

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pioneer+Square+North+MAX+Station&daddr=17960+Northwest+Evergreen+Parkway,+Beaverton,+OR+97006+(Old+Chicago+Beaverton)&geocode=FfiRtgIdug6w-Cn_9iH7BAqVVDFmjDzH0HHJeg%3BFaXQtgIdQ0Gt-CGwq0PDEsA3gil3mSadQQ-VVDFmjiOSkVWLjA&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=r&date=12%2F8%2F09&time=4:50pm&ttype=arr&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=&tline=&sll=45.51777,-122.775112&sspn=0.200629,0.297318&ie=UTF8&t=h&start=2&ll=45.51777,-122.775112&spn=0.055196,0.19098&output=embed
View Larger Map

Trip Part II

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=17960+Northwest+Evergreen+Parkway&daddr=3400+NW+John+Olsen+Pl,+Hillsboro,+OR&hl=en&geocode=FaXQtgIdQ0Gt-Cl3mSadQQ-VVDFmjiOSkVWLjA%3BFYD0tgIdkAKt-CnHdWHQXw-VVDEdSneJbSBXhg&dirflg=r&date=12%2F08%2F09&time=6:00pm&ttype=arr&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=&tline=&sll=45.540143,-122.870793&sspn=0.025069,0.029397&ie=UTF8&t=h&start=0&ll=45.54015,-122.871753&spn=0.008851,0.019054&output=embed
View Larger Map

Trip Part III

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=3400+NW+John+Olsen+Pl,+Hillsboro,+OR&daddr=222+SW+Harrison+St,+Portland,+OR+97201&geocode=FYD0tgIdkAKt-CnHdWHQXw-VVDEdSneJbSBXhg%3BFQ9ttgId1w-w-ClVhZT0EwqVVDEBFnIIry1dqg&hl=en&dirflg=r&date=12%2F8%2F09&time=8:00pm&ttype=dep&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=&tline=&sll=45.509937,-122.778085&sspn=0.200657,0.235176&ie=UTF8&t=h&start=0&ll=45.511328,-122.779397&spn=0.066497,0.205143&output=embed
View Larger Map

Ok, there are a few issues with TriMet‘s Bus System, and 90% of those issues are on the west side. That’s what I want to discuss and these maps show so well.

First off, the central business district and east of Portland pretty much have the touted “best transit” system that TriMet often calls itself.  However, the west side has barely a mediocre system, and in many places is completely disconnected from any mode except automobile.

West Side Core Transit

The core of the west side consists of the MAX, #57, and basically the #12.  Beyond that, there are some infrequent routes, feeders, and split service bus routes (ala the #56 & #54, the #76 & #78, etc).  The easiest areas to get to, from downtown, are areas directly along the MAX.  This is also the only timely route to take from anywhere east of the “west hills” (for those not from the area, that is the big green slice on the maps above just barely to the west of downtown).  What other routes are effective from an east to west side transport perspective?

Besides MAX, West Side Routes

“In fact, the subsidy ratio (or, in the case of roads, the "Asset Value Index") for TXDOT's infrastructure makes Amtrak's taxpayer-supported needs absolutely pale in comparison! It is estimated that gasoline taxes would need to be six times higher than they are today just to bring revenue in line with expenditures.

In other words, the average cost of one gallon of gasoline in Dallas would instantly jump from today's approximate of $2.50 (for regular grade) to an outrageous $4.35!”

Finally, it seems some organization has published some truth, along with the appropriately made factual correlations.  I found this beauty written up in the Progressive Railroading Journal’s Website, written by Garl B. Latham titled “Do Roads Pay for Themselves?”.  Now, in addition to me being able to show, in simple math terms why roads don’t cover their cost anymore than other modes, I have this actual DOT report that backs up the obvious fact.  Roads are heavily subsidized.

Now of course, at this point, since we can all finally agree all modes are subsidized at heavy levels we can step back and determine if that is a good thing or a bad thing.  My take, is varied, dependent of course on what we as a society are actually trying to achieve.

As far as subsidies are concerned, what are others take on these expenditures?  Should policy be to selectively encourage more efficient usage based on environmental concerns?  Should policy be made to reduce overall subsidy so that the end user foots the bill relative to actual usage?  Should policy be made to actually equalize subsidy regardless of any particular condition; environmental, economic, or otherwise?

I’m betting somebody has some great ideas out there, it’s just a matter of getting them implemented.  ; )