The fact of the matter is if you want humanities children to survive well we must put money and energy towards these types of initiatives. Oil based public transportation is completely unsustainable even though it might be cost efficient in the current oil climate. Oil prices absolutely will in the next decade raise exponentially. We do not live on an infinite planet, we must start making smart choices based on this finite planet for the future of our children.

What do you think is going to happen in 10 years to the already impoverished neighborhoods in SE if gas hits 10$, maybe 20$ dollars a gallon? Is bus transportation going to be able to handle that capacity and cost? I think not. If we want to keep commerce and working class families moving through that difficult time we must invest in electric public transportation.

The reality of oil production and and consumption coupled with the jobs, saving and urban renewal that trimet and electric public transportation has brought should be plenty to have any one convinced this is more then a positive step towards a sustainable future. Nothing about it is a totalitarian regime. Its a logical conclusion based on the carrying capacity of the earth with the goal being the best possible most sustainable public transportation for the people.