PRESS RELEASE: Sunrise PDX Demands Oregon Transportation Commission Improve Transit Statewide

The local climate justice organization rallied in front of Daimler’s Headquarters before the OTC’s November meeting, where many organizations gave public testimony about the need for a better transportation system.

PORTLAND, OREGON – Sunrise PDX and other local community organizations gathered outside the Daimler Truck North American Headquarters on November 9th, right before the Oregon Transportation Commission met inside. In front of a crowd of 20 people, speeches were shared about the need to drastically improve the state’s transportation system to meet the needs of all Oregonians. At the meeting, many organizations gave public testimony to the OTC encouraging them to take the bold steps that are necessary to improve our transportation system.

“Sunrise believes our transportation system should not be dominated by cars,” explains Jacob Apenes, a climate organizer with Sunrise PDX. “This rally and OTC meeting is one opportunity for many to explain why our current system is failing and why the OTC needs to be trading in car keys for bus passes and bike locks.”

“Our transportation system should not be dominated by cars…”

- Jacob Apenes, Sunrise PDX Organizer

For the past few years, Sunrise PDX has been working towards transportation justice through opposing freeway expansions and fighting for greater investments in public transit and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. This Thursday, the Oregon Transportation Commission met in person in Portland for the first time in three years. Sunrise PDX seized the opportunity to demonstrate to the OTC their desire for a safer, cleaner transportation system that serves all Oregonians, not just those that drive.

“For just a minute, let me paint a picture for you. Say you're hanging out with friends. You're going to, say, a movie or a play, and then dinner,” says high school student and Sunrise PDX organizer Alex Tharp. “How do you get between those places? Would that limit the number of people you can be with? Could you go to an event with a large group of people who were like you? The answer, for many disabled people, is no. The public transit system assumes that there will never be a gathering of disabled people who need to move around the city. This is one of many ways the public transit system here in Portland is inequitable.”

“The public transit system assumes that there will never be a gathering of disabled people who need to move around the city.”

- Alex Tharp, Sunrise PDX Organizer

Sunrise PDX will continue its work to advocate for an equitable and sustainable transportation system. The organization is running a city-wide survey to gather data about Portland’s transportation habits and opinions. Sunrise PDX hopes to use the responses to ensure their advocacy meets the needs and concerns of Portland residents.

“I really do appreciate the OTC for allowing public comment and listening to the voices of youth organizers today. It was heartening to see Portland’s community standing in solidarity and demanding investments in safer, more robust transit alternatives,” recounts Siobhan O’Reilly. “The people’s message is clear: No more freeways, climate justice now! Let’s hope the OTC is with us.”