Latest news with #PortlandBureauofTransportation
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lyft pushes back against potential increase in Portland ride fees
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Another app is weighing in on Portland's decision to more than double rideshare fees. an amendment to hike the per-ride fees on apps like Uber and Lyft from 65 cents to $2. Mayor Keith Wilson previously to $1.30 per ride. Wife dead, husband injured after 'tragic' house fire in Hood River County In a letter sent to city leaders on Monday, Lyft's Senior Policy Manager Jon Walker said the company would 'support' the initial proposal under three conditions: District 1 and 2 residents would be exempt from the new cost, 30% of revenue from the increased fee would supplement an electric vehicle grant fund managed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, and subsidies for wheelchair-accessible vehicle would rise to $50 per ride. 'In addition to protecting riders in low-income areas, Lyft supports Portland's goals of lowering carbon emissions and expanding accessibility funding,' Walker wrote. 'An EV grant fund for rideshare would ensure companies like Lyft have the funds to continue launching creative EV initiatives in Portland, while increased WAV subsidies will help to spread the savings and benefits to everyone — not just the privileged few.' If the newly-approved ride fee is finalized during city council's June 18 meeting, it is expected to generate another $10 million in PBOT revenue — amid the government's looming budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Lyft claimed the increase would make Portland an outlier compared to 'similarly situated' cities. According to the company, there are no per-ride fees in Milwaukee or Minneapolis, while Denver's will soon increase from 32 cents to 34 cents. In Seattle, there is an 85-cent fee and a majority of revenue goes to the city. 'If the city council insists on increasing the per ride fee, then Portlanders deserve to see the additional revenue used to advance the causes they care about. Otherwise, this fee increase is an unjust punishment on Portland's most vulnerable,' Lyft's Walker added. Vancouver weighs implementing district-based voting for city council elections Uber has also spoken out against the pending increase in Portland. Ahead of last week's vote, the company asked customers to 'keep rideshare affordable' by expressing their concerns in an email to local officials. The pushback is happening as Oregon lawmakers simultaneously consider a bill that would increase minimum wage and establish other benefits for rideshare drivers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Next phase of project boosting Lents neighborhood's tree canopy is underway
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The second phase of a project that aims to boost Portland's tree canopy is underway. has added 15 trees to the Lents neighborhood so far this year. The joint pilot project from the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation and the Bureau of Environmental Services specifically targeted Southeast Duke Street, from Southeast 82nd Avenue to Southeast 94th Avenue. Two Vancouver schools renamed due to eponymous figures' violent legacies Although a across the city, the Lents neighborhood was specifically identified as an area with few street trees and a lack of space to plant more. Portland agencies plan to launch the next steps of the pilot project this spring, with design development and outreach to the community members in the other targeted areas. Southeast 87th Avenue near Lents Park, and Southeast Steele Street and 101st Avenue near Lent Elementary School and Bloomington Park, are the sites being considered for the second phase. Construction crews could begin adding planting space in the areas as soon as this summer. According to PBOT Transportation Director Millicent Williams, the ongoing project while also mitigating the effects of climate change. 13 international students at Oregon State University face deportation over revoked visas 'A thriving urban forest is essential to the health and well-being of our communities,' PP&R Director Adena Long added. 'PP&R and our Urban Forestry team are committed to growing and caring for our tree canopy so every Portlander benefits from the cleaner air, lower temperatures, and habitat trees provide.' Additionally, the Portland chapter of Women's Transportation Seminar International is slated to present the 'Trees in the Curb Zone' project with its 'Innovative Transportation Solutions' award this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
East Burnside Street to see weekend closure for repaving
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A busy section of East Burnside Street is going to be closed through the weekend while crews work to repave. According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, East Burnside Street from 94th Avenue to 99th Avenue will be closed starting Friday night until Monday morning. Old Town residents 'furious' that outreach group is blocking roads, parking lots The crews will be working to repave the intersection of East Burnside Street and 97th Avenue, where the TriMet MAX line turns onto burnside and where people using the Interstate 205 multiuse path cross the road, officials said. A second closure is also set to happen from April 2 to April 4 during the night only so crews can do work on the traffic signals and also work on TriMet MAX operations. Portland Tacos, Tequila & Tamales Festival, Holi Festival of Colors among weekend events During the closure, officials said that bikers and pedestrians can still continue through the area, but they need to follow directions from flaggers and construction signs. Drivers traveling in the area are told to expect delays and asked to travel cautiously and follow directions by flaggers or use alternate routes if possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Portland city councilors respond to 3 community centers at risk of closing
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After-school programs, swim lessons, sensory friendly gym sessions and so much more could all go away if the City of Portland . 'I'm hoping that we're going to fight to keep them open. At least I am,' said Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan. Flood Watch in place this weekend St. Johns, Montavilla and the Peninsula Park Community Centers are at risk of closing as a result of Portland's proposed budget cuts as the council navigates a . 'I mean, at some point, some of us might have to step up and say, yeah, I think that the police need to stop responding to all the calls or, yup, we need to close community centers or yep, we need to let any house that catches fire in Burlingame burn to the ground,' said Portland City Councilor Steve Novick. Families told KOIN 6 News that they are against this cut. 'Especially at a time where we've been losing families,' Ryan said. ' We have to do everything we can to continue to provide resources, especially in neighborhoods where they really need those resources.' Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan listed a number of services to potentially cut from the city budget, including some public agency funds, Portland Bureau of Transportation repairs, and several local community centers. Novick said there is another option to avoid these cuts. Downtown sees resurgence in open-air drug market 'When you have the choice between cutting police, fire, homeless services or parks and all these things are paid for by taxes, then another question you want to ask people is, would you rather raise some tax rather than make those cuts,' said Novick. The councilors want to hear from the community. A listening session is scheduled on Saturday, March 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m at the University of Western States at 8000 NE Tillamook St, Portland, OR 97213. 'Community centers and other places are essential for thriving cities, and Portlanders have made it clear they're important to them. I share District 2 residents' concerns about a potential closure and will be fighting to preserve our community centers as budget talks progress,' said Councilor Sameer Kanal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Portland traffic deaths decline, but deadly trends persist, new report says
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Although traffic deaths have dropped in the metro area, there are still 'deadly trends' in high-crash corridors, according to a new report by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. , released Thursday, said 58 people were killed in traffic crashes on Portland streets in 2024, compared to a record 69 traffic deaths in 2023. This data also marks the lowest count of traffic deaths since there were 54 killed in 2020. ODOT intends to buy portion of Hayden Island to offset impacts of I-5 bridge replacement 'While the 19% reduction in traffic deaths in 2024 is a step forward, every life lost remains a tragedy,' Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said. 'The City of Portland is committed to Vision Zero, the philosophy that every traffic death is preventable through the right combination of infrastructure, education and enforcement.' Wide, multi-lane streets and speeding continue to be among the risk factors for these deaths, the report noted. In 2024, 71% of those deaths also occurred on the High Crash Network, the 30 streets and intersections with the most serious crashes. Further trends the report cites that the crashes occurred frequently in dark conditions with impaired driving also a contributing factor. Oregon lawmakers scramble for solutions to public defender crisis According to PBOT, nearly half of the traffic deaths took place in City Council District 1, Portland's easternmost district, which is mostly east of I-205. There are more low-income residents and people of color in that area as well. But despite these trends, the report notes there have been changes in crash data where safety improvements to high-crash corridors are already being made. For one, PBOT collected safety data on Northeast 102nd Avenue from 2019 to 2024, which showed fewer crashes and lower vehicle speeds. Further safety improvements — including reduced speed limits, new street lighting, speed camera installation and other major infrastructure projects similar to 102nd Avenue — are also making a difference, according to PBOT. 'When PBOT has funding to make our streets safer, we see results,' PBOT Director Millicent Williams said. 'We are gratified to see traffic deaths decline, but one year does not make a trend. We encourage everyone to continue to be conscientious, to drive with caution, and look out for pedestrians and people biking.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
