A recent story reported that TriMet is considering delaying or cutting the Division Transit Project, a rare project by TriMet to improve its beleaguered bus system ("Division transit project likely delayed due to budget shortfall," Jan. 29).

TriMet once again claims the buses are costing too much money while continuing to find magic pots of money for extending the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro, the Southwest Corridor light rail project, the Portland Streetcar, and WES Commuter Rail system, which after nine years of service still hasn't met its first year goal of 2,500 daily riders.

While King County Metro in Seattle has record highs in bus ridership thanks to its non-stop investment in the workhorse transit system, TriMet is continuing to hold bus riders hostage with politics and backroom deals with light rail lobbyists.

It appears TriMet's priority right now is to expedite the construction of parking garages in Hillsboro and Tigard at the expense of the bus system thousands of regional residents are fleeing due to poor and unreliable service.

Erik Halstead, Tigard

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