Update on Region Wide Programs + Youth Transit Access!

Hey! Have you taken our Community Survey on the Regional Transportation Measure? Make sure you do so prior to June 26!

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the timeline for Metro Council to potentially refer a Regional Transportation Measure shifted from May to July.  Following community input this spring, Metro Council recently discussed and moved forward on a suite of Region Wide Programs that would invest $50 million/year for the life of the measure. The Coalition completed a review of the proposed programs through the lens of our guiding principles and the values put forward by Metro Council for this measure, and provided feedback on each of the program areas to the Metro Council prior to their discussion.

In addition to specific suggestions on each program area, we called out the urgency to ensure that these Region Wide Programs meet regional goals and community needs; are intentionally coordinated with one another; be flexible in design in application to adapt to future needs and changes; and are prioritized to support real change in communities underserved by our transportation system, particularly in Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

Read our full letter to Metro Council on Region Wide Programs.

Regional Transportation Investment Measure Region-Wide Programs:

  • Community Stability, total $11.5 million/year, including:
    • Anti-displacement Strategies, $2.5 million/year
    • Housing Opportunity Fund, $6.5 million/year
    • Thriving Main Streets, $2.5 million/year
  • Safer Streets, total $9 million/year, including:
    • Safe Routes to School, $4.5 million/year
    • Safety Hot Spots, $4.5 million/year
  • Walking/Biking Connections: $9 million/year
  • Better Bus: $2 million/year
  • Bus Electrification: $9 million/year
  • Youth Transit Passes: $9 million/year
  • Corridor Planning: $0.5 million/year

The Coalition’s advocacy during the measure’s creation process has resulted in significant wins on projects, and we have continued to speak up and support our partners and community members asking for meaningful resources put toward community stability, ensuring people are not displaced from their homes or businesses due to transportation improvements; significant and ongoing investments in safety programs to fill in the gaps between the proposed corridors, including dedicated funding for SRTS infrastructure and programs, safety and walking/biking and trail connections; and a new regional Youth Transit Access program proposed. We are pleased to see many of these priorities realized in the proposed Region Wide Programs investments, and thank the Metro Councilors and staff who listened to the community’s needs in the creation of these programs.

We are beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to partner and work closely with inspiring youth and community leaders from OPAL’s Youth Environmental Justice Alliance (YEJA) and the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC), who have been fighting to maintain and expand free transit passes for 20 years. This powerhouse of youth have shown up again and again to bring forward the myriad reasons youth across the region need and would benefit from YouthPass. ICYMI, check out this amazing video supporting regional YouthPass!

Metro Council will make final Region Wide Program decisions in mid-June, and we anticipate a decision on whether to refer the package to the November 2020 ballot by July.

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