Oregon Public Broadcasting

November’s election will feature  tight presidential and senate races. But across Oregon, a handful of contentious local measures will also be on ballots.

In Bend, voters will consider boosting property taxes to fund the region’s struggling bus system. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

Two years ago this month, Bend debuted its bus system.

Bend Area Transit began during the heyday of the housing boom.

Fast forward to now, the city says for the current bus system to remain viable, voters must approve a property tax hike in November.

The average home owner would pay about $100 more each year.

Critics say that is too much for a bus system that has less than 500 riders per day.

50 mostly pro-transit residents gathered in Bend Thursday night to hear the head of Portland’s Trimet sing the praises of public transit.

General manager Fred Hansen says he believes transit could help Bend’s struggling economy and boost  growth.

Fred Hansen: “The opportunity to see that reinvigoration, I think, is very possible. Not a lot yet going on, but that’s whats so exciting about Bend, you get to plan your future.”

Supporters of the transit tax have collected more than $7000 for  the campaign.