Join Portland DSA & Sunrise PDX tomorrow for a transportation town hall at Portland State University

Today, the caucus with a super minority in the lower chamber of the Oregon Legislature released their transportation proposal. I am going to hone in on their plans to drastically cut public transit funding.

Their plan is unpopular, bad for Oregon, and acutely bad for rural Oregon.

A thread...

Joined by 1000 Friends of Oregon, AORTA turned out to support a new bill (SB1202) from Senator Gorsek & Senator Pham that would create a new state department with the dedicated mission and mandate to oversee and improve Oregon’s Rail & Transit system.

There is currently an opportunity for you to help shape Oregon's State Rail Plan. This plan shapes the projects that are built and services provided in the real world.

Contribute your thoughts and ideas here:
live.metroquestsurvey.com?u=ig8j8x#!/

We also encourage you to write comments asking Trimet to consider other bus lane configurations.

BAT lanes are a stark improvement from the status quo, but why shouldn't the highest ridership bus line in Oregon get better?

Recommended reading from Marco Chitti open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...

Trimet's 82nd Ave transit project is considering allocating street space to dedicated lanes for bus service, including an option for continuous lanes along the entire street in Portland.

We encourage you to share your support for continuous lanes along the entire street.

trimet.org/82nd/lanedes...

Great write-up from Matt and our friends at @aortarail.org about SB 1202 - an initiative to create a new "Department of Rail and Transit" separate from ODOT. #orleg

substack.com/home/post/p-...

Tomorrow there is a hearing for the bill that would create the Oregon Department of Rail and Transit.

Read our testimony guide here: eepurl.com/jbEZSA

Join us at #OATS2025, the Oregon Active Transportation Summit, April 23-25 in Portland!

AORTA has a special 30% discount for passes to all 3 days of keynotes, advocacy, & workshops.

Use COMMUNITYAORTA at www.oregontransportationsummit.org/tix to save!

@thestreettrust.org

And no windows were obscured by the wrap! 🤌

Catch AORTA board member Dan McFarland speaking with KOIN 6 about the loss of the Horizon train sets frok Amtrak Cascades service.

youtu.be/ulHxhLiR56M?...

🚨🚨Action alert 🚨🚨

HB3362, which will help to fund passenger rail in Oregon is up for a hearing, and it needs your support!

Please take a few minutes to share with the committee a brief written testimony in support. More details here: mailchi.mp/db320c2e1fdc...

Come out on Tuesday for our March TOD: Transit Oriented Drinks!

This month we'll again be at Pine Street Market in Old Town!

Come join AORTA's Portland chapter for it's February TOD: Transit Oriented Drinks!

With major legislation now going before committees we got plenty to chat about! See you there!

This Friday in Portland! Come join the kickoff for the new Oregon Moves PAC, which will be working to help shape Oregon's upcoming transportation package into one that prioritizes sustainable and equitable transportation.

We hope to see you there!

RSVP Here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Happy New Year! Tonight is the first TOD of 2025, and the last TOD before the start of the 2025 legislative session.

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far! We’re closing in on the full match.

Today is the final day to have your donation matched 100%, can we count on your support?

With a major transportation package going through the state legislature, and an uncertain future for federal funding, AORTA has a big year ahead of it!

Thanks to a few generous anonymous supporters, donations to AORTA will be matched 100% up to $5,000!

us3.campaign-archive.com?u=a04670bf54...

Join us tomorrow at 6:30pm for our monthly TOD: Transit Oriented Drinks in Portland.

We're trying out a new indoor location for the winter, The Zipper on Sandy Blvd.

Hello Bluesky! We're AORTA: The Association of Oregon Rail & Transit Advocates.

We're an all volunteer organization, working to win Oregonians the world class transportation system that they deserve!