LTD

The City of Eugene and Lane Transit District are asking for feedback on how to improve safety and connectivity on five of the most traveled roads in the area.

Three months after launching the new EmX bus line in west Eugene, Lane Transit District reports initial numbers for ridership and route connections are  “right on track.”

Eugene drivers may experience delays at the 6th and Garfield intersection the next two weeks. Sunday, construction continues on the West Eugene EmX project.

Lane Transit District wants to devote more than half of its bus fleet to hybrid and all-electric by next year. A small group of community members and environmental activists gathered at the busy Eugene bus station Tuesday to show support of the move.

Lane Transit District has selected their next General Manager.

Aurora “A.J.” Jackson has been chosen to lead LTD. She was picked from a three person candidate pool. Jackson started her career as a bus operator working her way up the ranks to management. LTD Board President Gary Wildish says her ascent was a strong selling point.

Wildish: “It takes tonicity, poise, energy, leadership and that really does fit perfectly with the direction that we wanna go.”

A bus driver who worked for Lane Transit District since 2003 was arrested Thursday for calling in a bomb threat. Traffic was shut down traffic for more than an hour near the University of Oregon.

Lane Transit District is considering expanding its routes in the Eugene-Springfield area. Ideas include longer hours and possible bus service to the airport.

LTD is in talks with the City of Eugene about providing bus service to the airport. Russ Arnold, Marketing Manager with LTD says this is still just in discussion. He says the agency has heard from more than 2-thousand people with suggestions for improving service.

UPDATE: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 11:20 A.M.:

The Egan Warming Centers confirmed they are activated for tonight, Saturday. But they will NOT be open on Sunday and Monday nights because the overnight temperatures will not be cold enough.

Those needing to get to a Warming Center tonight can ride LTD for free - just tell the driver you need to get to a warming center.  St Vincent de Paul will provide shuttle service from the First Christian parking lot behind the church to other sites from about 5:30 pm- 8:30 pm.

The Oregon Transportation Commission has set aside a pot of money for projects that fall outside of traditional roads and bridges. Lane Transit District has been awarded $2.8 million to build three new bike/pedestrian bridges in West Eugene.

Anyone who's ever tried to walk or bike across West 11th Avenue knows it can be sketchy.

Vobora: "You see people run across the street in the middle of the street and it's really unsafe."

Andy Vobora is with LTD. He says many people don't realize how many residents live just south of the traffic laden street.

Sacred Heart’s RiverBend hospital in Springfield has a new EmX stop that is closer to the facility. About 50 supporters and dignitaries attended a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday (today).

Land Transit District’s EmX now stops at the Pavilion station located on RiverBend Drive. It provides direct access to Lane County’s largest medical center for thousands of patients and employees. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden stressed the importance of expanding public transportation.

Pre-Construction activities are scheduled to begin in May for the West Eugene Em-X transit project.