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Petition TriMet for better service in Bethany

Local resident Thirumalai Mukundan has created a petition on the “Change.org” website asking TriMet to provide bus service to the Sunset Transit Center for people living or working in the area around Stoller Middle School and the general Bethany area.

As anyone knows who tries to park in the Sunset Transit Center, the lot fills up by about 6:30 am every weekday. There are really no good alternatives for people who commute to downtown Portland or to Hillsboro. They either have to drive to Elmonica and then ride the Max to the downtown; take bus 67 to Merlo Garage and then ride the MAX to downtown; or drive to Sunset before 6:30 am and then ride the MAX.

Roads in the area are already overcrowded, and Saltzman between Laidlaw and Thompson is a dangerous thrill-ride. In addition, he says, “cars have been vandalized at the Sunset Transit Center. For people who need to drop their children at school and then proceed to work in the downtown area, there is no hope of getting a parking spot at the Sunset Transit Center.”

He asks some important questions: “How much productive time is currently lost when people have to resort to these alternatives? Will residents with medical needs be able to resort to these alternatives? (Being myself a person who has medical needs, I will feel relieved if there is abundant public transportation. Less stress means better lives.)” In addition to those who commute for work, he mentions PSU students who live in the area.

He says, “I had appealed to TriMet a few years back (during the recession time) and have not heard back from them about including this route in a discussion.”

He plans to deliver the petition to the TriMet leadership, and the Washington County Land Use and Transportation authorities, and to anyone else who might be able to influence the TriMet decision makers.

He says response to the petition has been, “quite encouraging. We have about 137 supporters in a week, and the number will grow.” The petition was shared on the Nextdoor website for their neighborhood, but anyone can sign.

One signer says, “"Bus service from Bethany Village to Sunset TC is a must, given the huge number of commuters going to downtown. It’s bound to substantially increase with new subdivisions in North Bethany. At present, they are forced to drive, worsening the eastbound traffic on US 26 and choking up Vista Ridge tunnel. A bus route from PCC Rock Creek->Bethany Village->East on Laidlaw->Saltzman->Barnes->Sunset TC would cover pretty much all of Bethany and Cedar Mill.”

To sign the petition, visit the Change.org website here. Then be sure to share it with your networks. Can’t hurt! And if you have an idea for a petition that could make the world a better place, visit the main site to find out how to do it!

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