Powell-Division Rapid Bus Project May Become Just Division

A Metro committee looking at a rapid bus project along Powell and Division will meet next week to consider a new proposal that drops the Powell part of the equation.

A study that came out earlier this year found that the service would be slower than what it would replace for many riders.

So, that sent staffers back to the drawing board.

The new proposal would eliminate stops, and have new buses capable of carrying more people while providing more space for people with bikes and mobility devices.

By cutting stops, speeding up the boarding process, and giving buses longer green lights, they hope it will speed up by the commute by nearly 20 percent.

The proposed route would travel from downtown Gresham to inner Southeast Portland.

The Metro committee, which is made of 22 representatives of Metro, TriMet, Portland, Gresham, Multnomah County, ODOT, and others, will meet next Wednesday to hear an update.