Transit Integration Project 2013-2014

The Project and What was Proposed

Within the Wilsonville to Portland I-5 corridor, SMART  assessed different ways to provide its customers with the best possible services given the resources available. SMART conducted the I-5 Corridor Transit Integration Project to identify and assess potential strategies to improve services within the corridor. A Needs Assessment document identifies potential strategies to:

• Integrate fixed-route services for commuters and door-to-door services for the elderly and individuals with a disability

• Modify existing Route 2X service, potentially extending it further north to a location closer to downtown Portland or terminating it closer to Wilsonville but with improved connections to TriMet services and/or frequency

In 2013 , SMART used about 1/3 of its operating budget annually to provide “out-of-district” services. This included services for commuters to and from Portland and direct door-to-door services for seniors and persons with disabilities (limited to medical trips only outside Wilsonville).

Wilsonville’s population has been growing rapidly and aging. SMART needed to ensure that its available transit services are responsive to these changes. It also needed to know that the existing system is efficient, effective, and adaptable to change. The Transit Integration Project proposed strategies to improve inefficiencies and respond to future transit needs.

In November 2014, the Transit Integration Project's proposed service change scenarios were approved for implementation by Wilsonville City Council. Over the course of 2015 and 2016, outreach and education activities aimed at current and potential riders occurred with these changes and with the Transit Master Plan 2017 update. The details of the initial recommendations can be found in this memo. 

Potential Strategies

The study evaluated the following strategies to address the previously identified needs within the constraints placed on SMART. This document identifies the criteria used to evaluate the strategies and provide the evaluation of strategies for both the out-of-town medical service and Route 2X.