Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wt Alliance Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westside Transportation Alliance wins new grants, expands countywide micromobility and employer programs
Summary
Westside Transportation Alliance told the coordinating committee it has new three-year funding through the regional travel options grant and ODOT streams to expand services countywide, including employer TDM, a priority-commuters program, an e-micromobility lending library (fleet just under 50 devices) and an ongoing get-home voucher pilot.
Jeff Posdowski, executive director of the Westside Transportation Alliance, gave the Washington County coordinating committee an overview of the nonprofit's programs and the first months of a new three-year funding cycle.
"We're 13 days into our new three-year funding cycle through the regional travel options grant program," Posdowski said, noting that local MSTIP Opportunity Fund match helped secure the award. He described WTA's employer-focused transportation demand management services, workplace training, transit-pass administration, and customized commute planning for large employers.
Posdowski highlighted the organization's priority commuters program, which provides fee waivers and priority access for people who meet income or job-based eligibility (examples: shift workers, manufacturing employees, retail and food-service staff). He described a pilot "get home" voucher program that lets participants earn an on-demand ride voucher for Lyft or Uber by logging trips through the GetThere Oregon platform, and an employer workplace e-bike lending program that loans ebikes for several weeks so employees can try commuting by bike.
On countywide access, Posdowski said WTA historically worked inside the Metro boundary but can now serve all of Washington County because of new ODOT funding. He said the e-micromobility lending library launched in May with a fleet just under 50 devices (upright ebikes, adaptive bikes, cargo ebikes and a few e-scooters), and ODOT grant funding runs through 2028.
During Q&A, Mayor Kirk asked whether the service area includes all of Washington County; Posdowski confirmed the expanded service and said WTA can cluster checkouts locally so residents need not travel across the county to access devices. TriMet and other partners commended WTA for recruitment help and partnership on fare programs.
Posdowski also cited survey results showing local demand for alternatives: "When we are asking employees, 40% of employees report back to us that they'd like to drive less," he said, noting that incentives, education and local pilot programs are core to WTA's strategy.
The committee had no formal action on the presentation; members encouraged WTA to coordinate with city outreach and local events.
