Comments on: Well Helloooo, New Max Train!

By: Adron

Adron — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:35:53 +0000

The new trains & buses were purchased several years ago by Federal dollars mostly. TriMet put in a little, but not much.

i.e. The funds where allocated back during the heady days of financial invincibility of 2005 or 2006. So the actual purchases most likely took place near that time.

By: morganpdx

morganpdx — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:45:30 +0000

@Pete Forsyth – It was at the Lloyd Center MAX stop. So, neither.

By: morganpdx

morganpdx — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:44:12 +0000

@A. L. Venable - Sweet! I'll be a green line rider when it's done.

By: Ed Borasky

Ed Borasky — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:54:30 +0000

I saw one of those a few weeks ago downtown. I think I tweeted about it, but maybe not. It was a couple days before the WES line opened, and I thought maybe they were running those on WES. I should do a WES ride sometime just for the experience.

By: natronics

natronics — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:04:07 +0000

Pics or it didn’t happen! Coincidentially (or not?) I saw a brand new bus for the first time on Scholls Ferry this morning. Much sleeker looking.

I’m pretty much an unapologetic supporter of mass transit so of course I’m going to say it’s worth it; both for long term usefulness and for making our city that much cooler.

By: Dieselboi

Dieselboi — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:14:54 +0000

More than likely the purchase of new trains was part of the overall budget which is funded in part by Federal funds. I would venture a guess that we don’t have enough trains right now to support 3 full lines, so new cars were inevitable. Also, trains age. I also saw some brand spankin’ new buses on the mall doing test dries too. Prety much the same, just more curves and not as dirty (yet.)

I’m excited for newness. The streetcars still have the new streetcar smell imho.

By: Pete Forsyth

Pete Forsyth — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:19:37 +0000

Awesome!!

Was it downtown, or along I-205? 205 looks pretty uncomplete in most spots, so I’m guessing downtown.

I think that line is going to make a pretty huge (positive) impact on East Portland. Not quite close enough to me to be much use, but giving mobility to those in outer SE, many of whom are very poor and not too mobile, will be a great thing in many intangible ways. IMHO we can’t afford NOT to (and those $$ were all allocated long before the current econ. collapse anyway.) Plus, the jobs provided by stuff like that are the best way to stimulate an economy, from all I’ve heard.

Anyway..if you see it again, snap a pic!!

By: A. L. Venable

A. L. Venable — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:11:11 +0000

The trains were purchased last June for the Green line: http://ourpdx.com/2008/07/new-max-trains-coming-this-fall/. Guess they’re using them on the other lines to test them out.