Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee, or TPAC, is an advisory committee that reviews regional plans and federally funded transportation projects across the three-county Portland area. TPAC is comprised of 15 transportation professionals appointed by area jurisdictions, and six at-large community members. TPAC community representatives bring a various areas of representation and expertise to the regional transportation conversation.
Cora Potter is a resident of East Portland and works for Ride Connection.
Adrian Esteban received his MBA from University of Oregon and has worked in transportation engineering design management for 20 years. He is currently a transportation engineer with David Evans and Associates. This is his second year with TPAC.
Mychal Tetteh is the CEO of the Community Cycling Center. In 2011, he helped to launch a nonprofit, community-based grocery store in North Portland. This is his first appointment to TPAC.
Cora Potter says stabilizing operational transportation funding is crucial
At Ride Connection, located in Gateway, Cora Potter's job is to help people with limited mobility find solutions to their transportation needs.
She talks to people every day about transportation, whether it's someone who's come into her workplace or a resident she sees in the neighborhood who recognizes her as someone in the know.
Potter sees herself as an information highway that travels two directions.
"My goal is to help folks I talk with understand how Metro is funded, how they work on projects, how the transportation system benefits by the flow of funding and planning and everything," Potter said. "And it's reciprocal. I'm getting input from (residents) as well, so I can help them communicate to Metro, and we can help the people who are actually using the transportation."
While TPAC is typically focused on capital projects and planning for the future, Potter said, the operational funding crisis needs to be addressed in a way that addresses systemic flaws.
"There's a lot of capital funding and not a lot of money to keep operations going," Potter said. "Local funding isn't always stable or reliable."
When residents see large scale transit projects being planned amidst existing transit shortfalls, said Potter, they feel they are losing on service now for the sake of the bigger project.
"When you work in the field long enough, you understand that's not the case, but people need to feel transportation is working for them," Potter said. "And they see their bus line going away. Stable operational funding is an issue I'd like to see taken on."
Adrian Esteban looks at expanding the regional transit network
In Adrian Esteban's transportation design career, he's worked on everything from highways to sidewalk improvements and Safe Routes to School projects.
Providing opportunities for people to walk and bike to get around, in addition to driving, is important to Esteban for two simple reasons: "It's better for the environment, and better for public health."
Esteban has been involved with TPAC for over a year, and enjoys the opportunity to be a part of the policy, planning and funding conversations surrounding regional transportation.
"I'm interested in making regional transportation as efficient and comprehensive as possible," Esteban said.
Continuing as a community representative with the committee, Esteban said he'd like to see an effort to include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure framed as economic needs in programs that come before TPAC for approval and recommendation.
Additionally, he'd like to see transit access expanded.
"We need to make sure the areas that don't have bus routes are getting the attention they deserve, and bring our focus to that," Esteban said. "We need to get to these areas so we have a larger overall network."
Michael Tetteh strives to deliver on the needs of a diverse population
Knowing that planners and decision-makers at Metro and beyond will face many vying transportation priorities in the coming years, Mychal Tetteh wanted to be at the table.
"I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to get more people access to active transportation options throughout the Metro region," Tetteh said.
Tetteh, CEO of the Community Cycling Center, said that particularly in lower-income neighborhoods, active transportation infrastructure can be a transformative force.
"There are already areas where people suffer from a lack of abundance, a lack of car ownership," Tetteh said. "Frequently, those are the places that have poor active transportation infrastructure. That's where we're going to get the best return our investment.
"It's in everyone's best interest to see investments there," he continued. "We're also talking about the role active transportation plays in economics and public health."
Tetteh said that, as the bicycling demographic continues to diversify, municipal entities need to address the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
While active transportation infrastructure improves the social determinants of public health by encouraging physical activity and community cohesion, it also increases safe, low-cost mobility for residents, enhancing access to economic opportunities and community resources.
Tetteh is coming to TPAC with an open outlook, hoping to learn as much as he imparts.
"I think I have a lot to offer by way of perspective and first-hand experience," Tetteh said. "I also really want to make sure I can listen to the priorities the committee has."
In any endeavor, said Tetteh, public involvement is paramount.
"I think Metro does a great job of community engagement and public involvement," Tetteh said. "I hope (TPAC is) able to continue to push the envelope of what it means to be an open, transparent, highly effective public agency. I hope we're able to support Metro remaining on the leading edge on that public engagement."