City Council approves West 11th EmX plan
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EUGENE, Ore. - The EmX bus rapid transit line proposed for West 11th Avenue got a key vote of approval from the Eugene City Council on Wednesday.
The council voted 7-1 to approve the new line.
Councilor George Poling was the lone vote against the line. He wanted the measure to go to a public vote and complained the entire process made him uncomfortable.
"The process that we have to follow is bad because you have to invest so much time and so much money before you make a final decision. By that time I feel like we are trapped," Poling said.
Many opponents of the project where disappointed by the councils decision.
"I can't see any way that they are going to reduce pollution or reduce traffic congestion," Charles Hibberd said. "How can they if they are going to have 80 buses a day instead of what they have?"
Members of Better Eugene Springfield Transit and representatives from Lane County Transit were all smiles about the decision.
Now the EmX extension plan's environmental impact study goes to the federal government for approval.
After that, Lane Transit District will put the finishing touches on the plan.
Officials expect the project to be ready to go out for bid in about 18 months.
This is a developing story. Watch KVAL News and KVAL.com for updates
Good job City Council.
The LTD has never been able to support itself with rider fees, they have to tax every business in their area, irregardless of whether or not anyone ever rides a bus to the particular business they are taxing. It is another bottomless pit. If it can't support itself it should go away.
I'm soooo glad that every semester at LCC I'm forced to pay a transportation fee to buy a bus pass that I DON'T NEED. /sarcasmDoes the BS with them ever end? Screw LTD.Â
No respect for the peoples wishes.
What part of 6th ave each and every day ,in the afternoon..does this city council and "not my mayor" not see? The traffic is horrible.. and now they want to take a lane away from it? Why aren't the citizens of Eugene allowed a vote on this?  feeling more and more like a dictatorship in Eugene,Oregon
@Whitehawk People who run Eugene think just like the people who run Portland and control the whole state. That is why the state is going broke. Their whole idea is to force people out of cars. They do this by squeezing in more bike lanes (by the way does anyone collect from bike riders for bike lanes?) and squeezing in more bus lanes. It is their agenda, and they do not care who they step on to get it done.
If this would have gone to a public vote, it would have passed easily. Remember, PUBLIC vote means not just those on W. 11th would have a say. Most want this, don't let the facts confuse you.
@mz then why not let it go to a public vote?
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You would have to ask the city council that one. A city council that I am no way a fan of btw. However, I agree with the EmX. Why on earth, with Eugene touting itself as 'green' and progressive', can the residents be in favor of 'MORE BUSES EVERYWHERE'?!! Really? More congestion, carbon, etc. EVERYWHERE??! They're contradicting themselves. Confused citizens, but that's nothing new in Eugene.
 @mz Because it would be shot down big time.
At least there was one person on the council that was willing to stand up for the people of Eugene, the other seven could care less about what the public wants, it is all about what they the Progressives want. The general public are just tax paying slaves to the Progressive movement.  They will continue to destroy Eugene, and then they will have to move somewhere else when there is nothing left to destroy. We used to have a thriving Main Street with many businesses and it was a really neat place to visit. They ruined it. Now they will ruin more business with higher taxes, which will mean higher unemployment, which will lead to more revenue loss, which will lead to more services being cut, which will lead to more tax measures. No conceptual ability abides in the Mayor or the majority of the city council. You will all have to see the bottom of the barrell.
Mr. Poling: despite that fact that you're simply a toady of the Lane. Co. big business coalition, you now need to GET OVER IT AND GET ON THE BUS BEFORE WE THROW YOU UNDER IT (metaphorically).
well now I am not going any where near west 11th
It doesn't really matter if it went to a public vote anyway, the mayor would just override the will of the people like she did TWICE to shut down the West Eugene Parkway project.Â
Yes!! Sorry vocal MINORITY, you've had your say. Move along. :)
 @mz How is the city council deciding letting people have their say?
Well, of course it didn't go to a public vote. It would have been squashed! I will quit riding all LTD public transportation. A cab is not that much more!Â
 @UsaidWHAT Glad you said you were no longer riding LTD. I hate riding the bus with your kind of people anyway.Â
 @billy omer How did I offend you Mr. Omer? Just what kind of person do you view me as, since you have never met me?
 @billy omer  @UsaidWHAT so your one of those rude people that cant discuss only name calling you must be a liberal huh
It's all about the free money from Government. They think they are entitled.
@Ah Shucks It's actually free money from China that is borrowed by the Feds to be paid back by grand children and great grandchildren, with interest, of course, and long after current politicians are only remembered by the bronze plaques they so covet on their infrastructure purchases. (Of course, the tweakers will steal the bronze plaques to sell for drugs, but it's the thought that counts.)