Equitable Transit in Portland

Equitable transit and equitable housing are linked. People who rely on public transportation to reach jobs, medical appointments, and other critical needs, need nearby, safe, accessible, and dependable transit services. Addressing transit needs requires both political will and community participation. It also requires significant funding from government sources and other revenue streams, such as bonds and sales taxes.

Division Transit Project, 2019
Courtesy of TriMet, Portland

TriMet provides bus, light rail, and commuter rail service in the Portland region, and works in collaboration with Oregon Metro, the regional government agency, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. With community input, this bus rapid transit project proposes ways to make people feel connected and safe along the Division corridor. Many of these proposed improvements were completed in 2022.

The Division Street and 82nd Avenue corridors have been a major focus of Portland’s city, regional, and state transportation planners for years. More likely to rely on transit than the general population, people living along these corridors include individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, households with low-incomes, those with limited English proficiency, persons with disabilities, and households without cars. Transforming these corridors into transit-rich communities has been a priority for both planners and the people living in these communities.

Orchards of 82nd is located at the intersection of the Division and 82nd Avenue corridors. This community space and affordable housing complex is strategically positioned to offer residents convenient access to public transportation, making it a prime example of transit-oriented development.

Accommodating access to Portland buses for people with disabilities, 2017
Courtesy of TriMet

All people, including those with disabilities, require safe and easy access to public transportation. Here, bus drivers are being trained on how to facilitate wheelchair access to Portland buses.