Residents and transit advocates told the Wilsonville City Council on May 19 they support expanding SMART public transit to Clackamas Town Center and installing public charging stations at the new Vuela/SMART facility, while some speakers urged caution and asked for more fiscal and safety information.

"Direct service from Wilsonville to West Linn, Oregon City, and Clackamas Town Center will make transportation to these locations an attractive option for Wilsonville residents," said Bob Renfro, a longtime Westside Express Service rider, during public comment.

Proponents said better transit would increase mobility for commuters and residents who do not have cars, broaden access to jobs and shopping, and reduce vehicle trips. Several speakers urged the council not to let fears about crime deter transit expansion. "I don't want to live in fear and I don't want to try locking our borders from our neighbor cities," said Natalie Dunn, who added she trusts SMART staff to plan safe stops.

Other speakers asked for fiscal clarity. Ruth Webster said she was viewing the proposal through a "fiscal eye" and asked what the council expects the return on investment to be and why Clackamas Town Center was selected as a route destination.

Bill Bagnall and other testifiers defended charging stations planned inside the new Vuela building adjacent to the transit center. Bagnall said charging access is "essential to our community" and noted county grants had funded charging stations at parks. He added the Vuela stations would be secured, supervised and available during SMART business hours.

City staff and the city manager clarified funding and oversight: the proposed bus-on-shoulder route has been discussed for years and is currently funded through grants led by state transportation programs. The city manager said the route is "completely 100% grant funded in perpetuity" while the grant exists, and that partners would revisit funding if grants expire.

Council members and staff urged residents with detailed questions about route funding or stop locations to contact SMART Director Dwight Brashear (referred to in public remarks as Dwight) for technical information. No formal council action on route changes or charging-station policy was taken at the May 19 meeting; council approved separate items unrelated to route implementation.