Community connector transit study | Metro

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Metro is exploring how smaller, more flexible solutions could make transit easier to access and more convenient.

Expanding community connector transit is an opportunity to unlock more transportation access in the region and make transportation more equitable.

Elza lives with her three children in West Linn. Without a personal vehicle, she wouldn't be able to make their school pick-up times and her classes at Clackamas Community College across the bridge in Oregon City.

In an interview with The Street Trust, Elza shared why she prefers public transportation, but cannot take it as often as she would like due to an incomplete system.

What is community connector transit?

Community connector transit is a type of public transportation that typically uses smaller vehicles (think shuttles or vans) to get people to work, school, shops, the doctor or parks. It often is more flexible than a bus – from going off-route to pick up or drop off riders to being by-request whenever and wherever needed (like Uber or Lyft). This flexibility can help people travel to light rail or frequent bus routes that may stop a mile or more away from their home or destination.

What is the study? Why is it needed?

Community members, partners and leaders have raised concerns about certain areas in the region lacking access to bus service. Recent state legislation (House Bill 2017) changed requirements and increased funding for local transit options that support Multnomah and Clackamas County with providing new shuttle service and bolstered existing Ride Connection service in Washington County. At the same time, TriMet is also preparing to explore how transit that operates more like Uber and Lyft could complement their current on-demand service for people with disabilities and reach more people.

Building from regional momentum, this study will explore how community connector transit solutions could expand the network and improve transit in areas with limited access. Through this study, Metro will recommend a regional strategy for enhancing the public transit system with community connectors and identify where to allocate resources for improvements first. The outcomes of the work will inform updates to the next Regional Transportation Plan, which is planned to begin in a few years.

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