Eugene City Council approves rapid transit line to west Eugene

@EugeneN8Tive- It's important to note that most people aren't against the EMX system. It's about the route, the space it will take, and the effectiveness of the end result. @notfooledbygop- Are you serious? I think you are confusing EAST 11th with WEST 11th. We are talking about Eugene here... right? I would say 95% of the buildings on west 11th are occupied and are prime real estate. And if it has so much support then why be scared to put it out in the public to be voted on. Here is a quote from the meeting. “Voting for this motion would be the same as killing the project,” Taylor said. Seems like they know what the consensus is here. If it goes to a vote, it will be shot down in a hurry and they will not get federal funding for the project. Make a better plan, choose a different route, or try actually listening to the people you represent.

@Justme- I'd like to point out that the many in favor of EmX represent a diverse group- the youthful, the aging, and everything between. I'm a homeowner, too, and I find it satisfying that the council members share our community's goal of securing transportation access. To focus on the seating and bike capacity of the EmX busses is missing the point and doing a disservice to those who wouldn't otherwise know what a benefits of implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system- yet you champion the merits of light rail? BRT is often at the foundation of many long rang transit plans- plans that support a transportation network that may some day be home to a light rail system. I agree light rail would be great, but we must be realistic of ridership and funding constraints... we have to walk before we can run. @angelgabe- Seriously!? Where were you at monday night's council meeting? There was an overwhelming number (40+) of well articulated, positive, and passionate EmX supporters, and two opponents- t-w-o. There is a reason you aren't seeing much pro-EmX signage. It's because we haven't had the resources or capacity of the anti-EmX businesses. We are real people, people who value others in our community. We are people who understand the worth of equitable transportation access. I'm sorry that you're furious, and that you feel slighted. I hope that, with time, you'll stop using you're energy to vent negatively on kmtr news stories and do something more positive. This isn't about "Losing Our Tax Dollars," this is about Using Our Tax Dollars to benefit everyone in the community- even those too shortsighted to see the merits. It is Our Money, and it is Our Transit- and We Support the West Eugene EmX Extension.

I’d like to know how to begin impeachment on all those who voted in favor of this. Even when NO ONE is in favor of this monster of a bus system, they totally disregarded the comments of THE PEOPLE THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPRESENT, and did what THEY wanted. All, in my opinion, for the money they will get from the Federal Government (Uhm, that is coming out of OUR pockets, AGAIN!) We need to fire all of these guys and start over. This is no longer a city that is based on a democracy, but it is a policed state. We have, apparently, NO SAY. Not ONCE did I EVER see ANY pro-EMX literature, posters, banners, etc. It has ALL been negative, and completely against this. I’m furious that this was shoved down our throats against the public’s will and obvious wishes.

Well, guess the dinasaurs win, I am a homeowner and feel this should have been voted on. Emx is a joke,2 more seats and 3 less bike spaces than the convental bus. It probably expensive to maintain, oil, repairs, gas,tires, parts,a neverending maintance party. How about a fast efficient light rail,we need rapid transit for the future, it makes life less frustrating easier.

No surprise, should have just bent over to start with.

My favorite signs on West 11th are the "public vote" entreaties. It is obvious that not one single Republican sign waver does not know what a Republican Government even is. If they don't want their elected officials to vote on issues then they do not want a Republican government. Quit demanding a democracy when your every vote is for a REPUBLIC.

Lol. Most of those "businesses" on W 11th with those signs are vacant eyesores. The only people that the construction will hamper are the vagrants who sleep there.

If you drive the route that this waste of tax dollars will eventually be built, you will see almost every business owner opposed to the idea. Traffic on 6th and 7th is going to be a cluster reducing the lanes down to 3 lanes. Remove these people from public office. This is a crime.. No one wants this bus line and no one wants to foot the bill. Not to mention the construction is going to kill local businesses. Thanks for making the wrong decision.

dtomdick, I actually agree with the vote however I see your point. Eugene has changed. I'm no fan of Kitty, but the short-sightedness of those W. 11th folk leaves me speechless. So glad I live in the county.

They could have held a hundred public hearings that were opposed and it would not have made any difference. People don't count to liberal progressives, they are just tax paying slaves, and treated as such with decisions like these. Eugene is a ghost of yesterday when it was bustleing and thriving with a main street. They have really ruined the town.