TriMet’s Line 19 was frequently caught in traffic, so last fall the agency adjusted the route by moving it a few blocks north and east, and now buses are running up to six minutes faster.
Line 19 provides about 31,500 rides per week and covers nearly 19 miles between Gateway Transit Center in northeast Portland and Mount Scott in southeast Portland. As traffic congestion has increased over time, TriMet noticed buses were getting stuck as they wound through a curvy section of roads in downtown Portland.
On the old route, southbound buses traveled from SW 5th Avenue, to SW Sheridan Street and through a four-block stretch that included SW 3rd Avenue and SW Arthur Street. In peak travel times during the evening commute, traffic-related delays could reach well over 11 minutes.
Now, Line 19 buses turn from SW 5th Avenue onto SW Lincoln Street. Because it serves as an extension of the Harbor Way Viaduct and Tilikum Crossing at its eastern end, Lincoln is less attractive to autos. That allows buses to travel more freely. In four blocks alone, the new route can speed up buses by six minutes or more between 4:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Adjusting the Line 19 route is one way TriMet says it’s working to speed up transit across the tri-county area. It’s streamlining more routes, adding new service and adjusting schedules to respond to traffic patterns and keep riders moving. TriMet will be expanding the Frequent Service network, improving bus service throughout the region, speeding up trips on MAX, and adjusting to keep buses on time, improve transfers, reduce wait times and ease crowding.
TriMet is also working with partners throughout the region and state to make transit better, finding ways to keep buses moving past traffic congestion. The Portland Bureau of Transportation is testing red paint in transit priority areas to see if it will help keep lanes clear for buses, trains and streetcars. New bus-only and bus and bike-only lanes, installed during the last year, are already showing promise – reducing traffic-related delays by as much as 76 percent.
