@theantiwizard.bsky.social
I'm still not convinced that it's actually more expensive, I want to see the totals. All those "relevant factors" are also the result of political decisions. Decisions we can look at to see what affect they had. They're not always TriMet or TransLink's but they're still political decisions
January 9, 2026 at 4:48 AM
I'm still not convinced that it's actually more expensive, I want to see the totals. All those "relevant factors" are also the result of political decisions. Decisions we can look at to see what affect they had. They're not always TriMet or TransLink's but they're still political decisions
By seeing the differences between what Portland and Vancouver has done, we can guide today's decisions towards what we want in the future.
January 9, 2026 at 4:43 AM
By seeing the differences between what Portland and Vancouver has done, we can guide today's decisions towards what we want in the future.
The point isn't to chastise past politicians, but to show that they made a choice and that choice effected outcomes. Just as politician's decisions today will. We are not bound to a predetermined future.
January 9, 2026 at 4:43 AM
The point isn't to chastise past politicians, but to show that they made a choice and that choice effected outcomes. Just as politician's decisions today will. We are not bound to a predetermined future.
I never argued that it didn't provide regional coverage, just that it could possibly provide much more coverage. I'm also not arguing against TriMet upgrading existing lines. I think that's a good thing.
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 AM
I never argued that it didn't provide regional coverage, just that it could possibly provide much more coverage. I'm also not arguing against TriMet upgrading existing lines. I think that's a good thing.
I see. You're counting the under construction extensions. I'm just talking about what's built, because that's what we have ridership data for.
January 9, 2026 at 4:34 AM
I see. You're counting the under construction extensions. I'm just talking about what's built, because that's what we have ridership data for.
"stakeholder support" is just politics. That they didn't want something different is my criticism. Them not supporting something like SkyTrain has resulted in worse transit in Portland. There is no reason why they couldn't have been supportive of something different.
January 9, 2026 at 4:32 AM
"stakeholder support" is just politics. That they didn't want something different is my criticism. Them not supporting something like SkyTrain has resulted in worse transit in Portland. There is no reason why they couldn't have been supportive of something different.
No, and that's my point. Anyone of those cities could have decided to be like the others in the past and could still do so in the future. Amsterdam wasn't always a bicycle city. Kansas City wasn't always auto centric. Cities change and we're the ones that make it change.
January 9, 2026 at 4:28 AM
No, and that's my point. Anyone of those cities could have decided to be like the others in the past and could still do so in the future. Amsterdam wasn't always a bicycle city. Kansas City wasn't always auto centric. Cities change and we're the ones that make it change.
There is no "complete network" therefore all the ROWs needed can't ever be already purchased. Capacity improvements don't need to be the only thing TriMet does.
January 9, 2026 at 4:22 AM
There is no "complete network" therefore all the ROWs needed can't ever be already purchased. Capacity improvements don't need to be the only thing TriMet does.
Is the total cost higher? You have yet to prove that. ICTS was practically unknown at the time, can't do something if you don't know what it is.
January 9, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Is the total cost higher? You have yet to prove that. ICTS was practically unknown at the time, can't do something if you don't know what it is.
Sure TriMet could have delivered within the federal grant. Expansion in LA and Seattle are slowing, but not stopping due to lack of federal grants.
January 9, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Sure TriMet could have delivered within the federal grant. Expansion in LA and Seattle are slowing, but not stopping due to lack of federal grants.
That the Canada line wouldn't have been built without existing rail is just absurd. It's literally a different system. How does that argument not also apply to any first/different line. "Toronto would not build a subway, it would likely have high ridership as an LRT"
January 9, 2026 at 4:16 AM
That the Canada line wouldn't have been built without existing rail is just absurd. It's literally a different system. How does that argument not also apply to any first/different line. "Toronto would not build a subway, it would likely have high ridership as an LRT"
Also, focusing on different aspects is exactly what I'm arguing that Portland is capable of.
January 9, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Also, focusing on different aspects is exactly what I'm arguing that Portland is capable of.
So that explains a lot. It's rate. RATE. Literally a metric that normalizes for population.
January 9, 2026 at 4:09 AM
So that explains a lot. It's rate. RATE. Literally a metric that normalizes for population.
Link definitely has new ROWs as almost the entirety of its expansion plans. MAX used to as well, they could just do it again.
January 9, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Link definitely has new ROWs as almost the entirety of its expansion plans. MAX used to as well, they could just do it again.
Is the total cost of SkyTrain actually higher or have you conjured that from the aether? SkyTrain is shorter than MAX and the difference used to be greater. SkyTrain is catching up, but only because MAX has stopped growing.
January 9, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Is the total cost of SkyTrain actually higher or have you conjured that from the aether? SkyTrain is shorter than MAX and the difference used to be greater. SkyTrain is catching up, but only because MAX has stopped growing.
The Canada line isn't connected to the rest of the network and there's no reason why the millennium line had to be either. In fact it was originally planned as an LRT line. Portland could have built a shorter initial segment or funded the full length.
January 9, 2026 at 4:01 AM
The Canada line isn't connected to the rest of the network and there's no reason why the millennium line had to be either. In fact it was originally planned as an LRT line. Portland could have built a shorter initial segment or funded the full length.
Sure they could have. The worst they can say is "no." There's no magic required for more funding. Seattle did it, so did Calgary, Toronto, Los Angeles. Even Victoria, a city 1/5th the size of Portland has a higher transit mode share than Portland and with only busses.
January 9, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Sure they could have. The worst they can say is "no." There's no magic required for more funding. Seattle did it, so did Calgary, Toronto, Los Angeles. Even Victoria, a city 1/5th the size of Portland has a higher transit mode share than Portland and with only busses.
You provided the cost of one SkyTrain project and one MAX project. That doesn't tell us the amount either city spent on transit.
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 AM
You provided the cost of one SkyTrain project and one MAX project. That doesn't tell us the amount either city spent on transit.
The Canadian government funds transit everywhere in the country. Having more sources of money doesn't mean the amount available is larger either. Seattle, Calgary, and others spend more per capita than Vancouver.
January 9, 2026 at 3:42 AM
The Canadian government funds transit everywhere in the country. Having more sources of money doesn't mean the amount available is larger either. Seattle, Calgary, and others spend more per capita than Vancouver.
The federal government could and TriMet could have requested them to. They could have also gotten funding from a different source. Politicians will fund popular things. With enough political will, it's possible
January 9, 2026 at 3:37 AM
The federal government could and TriMet could have requested them to. They could have also gotten funding from a different source. Politicians will fund popular things. With enough political will, it's possible
Stating that large events have occurred in Vancouver doesn't show that it increased transit funding. Stating that Vancouver is proportionally larger percentage of Canada's population doesn't show that it increased transit funding. You have not provided any evidence that Vancouver had more funding.
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Stating that large events have occurred in Vancouver doesn't show that it increased transit funding. Stating that Vancouver is proportionally larger percentage of Canada's population doesn't show that it increased transit funding. You have not provided any evidence that Vancouver had more funding.
That animals in office is absurd is the point. I have never encountered anyone who would want that. I have however met many people that would vote for better transit. Those people often win and are successful in delivering their promises. Portland can and could do it.
January 9, 2026 at 3:22 AM
That animals in office is absurd is the point. I have never encountered anyone who would want that. I have however met many people that would vote for better transit. Those people often win and are successful in delivering their promises. Portland can and could do it.
You're argument is dependent on Portland not being able to increase funding. Countless cities in different jurisdictions do this. The idea that Portland can't raise more money is farcical on its face.
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 AM
You're argument is dependent on Portland not being able to increase funding. Countless cities in different jurisdictions do this. The idea that Portland can't raise more money is farcical on its face.
Your argument relies on Vancouver having greater access to funding. You have not provided any evidence that's true.
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Your argument relies on Vancouver having greater access to funding. You have not provided any evidence that's true.
Have you? You've made a lot of assertions, but are lacking any evidence to support them.
January 9, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Have you? You've made a lot of assertions, but are lacking any evidence to support them.