The Delta Park MAX Park & Ride is just across the Interstate 5 Bridge, the Parkrose MAX Park & Ride similarly situated across the Interstate 205 Bridge. Visit either any weekday and most vehicles have Washington plates. If light rail comes to Vancouver, most of those vehicles will no longer cross those bridges. Rather than fight the traffic, they’ll stay in Vancouver and take the light rail.
In his May 1 column, Greg Jayne says that he once wrote that none of his family in Portland is in walking distance of any MAX station. Duh. Most won’t be. But it’s a shorter drive to the Park & Ride than to downtown Portland for most. And, no traffic to fight or parking to pay for.
As for the local residents voting light rail down more than once, who should be voting on this? Shouldn’t it be only those affected by the actual light rail? Those living in close proximity? The whole “crime train” idea is ludicrous. Criminals are not going to MAX in, commit a crime, and use light rail as their getaway means. None of the arguments against light rail are substantial. Vancouver will gain a lot and lose little.
