Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

City refuses to renew RAZ stop site

September 17, 2010

Zibby Pillote

Lewis & Clark students received an e-mail from the Office of Transportation & Parking on August 20 announcing that the new Pioneer Express stop has moved to SW 6th and Salmon from its previous Pioneer Square location.
The City of Portland denied LC the opportunity to renew its double-parking permit for the SW Broadway stop due to a new bike lane on the street. Although the new bus stop is only three blocks from the old Pioneer Square stop, the Office of the Provost was extremely apologetic in their e-mail to students. The e-mail states that the new SW Salmon stop “is a significant change and an inconvenience to our riders” and that LC is “continuing to work with the City in hopes of securing a closer location [to Pioneer Square].” According to Google Maps, the bus stop at SW Salmon is a three-minute walk from Pioneer Square.
While the Office of the Provost and the Office of Transportation appear concerned with this move, students either actively support the new stop or are indifferent.
“The location isn’t that different and walking a few extra blocks is not a bother. And it’s nice for me because it’s close to the 14 stop,” said Maya Dagmi (’12), who sometimes takes the Tri-met line 14 from Hawthorne to Downtown to get to the Raz in the morning.
Monroe Isenberg (’13) said, “It’s not the school’s fault and it’s not a big deal.”
“I like the new 6th and Salmon stop because it’s closer to the SE side and I have a better chance of catching the bus if I’m running late,” said Marissa Seiler (’12), who bikes over the Hawthorne Bridge to catch the Raz on her morning commute to school. “But I miss Pio Square. I associated that area with coming home to LC and leaving for the airport.”
The SW Salmon stop is located in front of Starbucks, is well-lit and experiences moderate pedestrian traffic during the Raz’s operation hours.
The Office of Transportation is still working with the City, but no changes have been made as of yet.
The RAZ Monday-Thursday, breaking between 10:37 a.m. and 2:57 p.m. Its hours are extended Friday and Saturday nights until 2 a.m., and Sunday nights until 12:30 am.