Emerald Express
BRT system in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon
title: "Emerald Express" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bus-rapid-transit-in-oregon", "transportation-in-eugene,-oregon", "springfield,-oregon", "2007-establishments-in-oregon"] description: "BRT system in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Express" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary BRT system in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox bus line"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| logo | EmX logo.png |
| logo_width | 150px |
| number | Emerald Express (EmX) |
| subheader | Green Line, Gateway Line |
| image | 15101@EMX.jpg |
| operator | Lane Transit District |
| status | Operational |
| open | |
| predecessors | Route 11 Thurston |
| routetype | Bus rapid transit |
| locale | Eugene and Springfield, Oregon |
| start | Commerce Station |
| via | West 11th Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Pioneer Parkway |
| end | Gateway Mall |
| length | 13 mi |
| stations | 37 |
| frequency | 10–20 minutes |
| alt_frequency | 15–30 minutes |
| annualpatronage | 2,786,403 (2024) |
| timetable_link | |
| map | |
| map_state | collapsed |
| :: |
|logo = EmX logo.png |logo_width = 150px |number = Emerald Express (EmX) |bgcolor = |titlecolor = |subheader = Green Line, Gateway Line |image = 15101@EMX.jpg |caption = |operator = Lane Transit District |garage = |vehicle = |status = Operational |open = |predecessors = Route 11 Thurston |routetype = Bus rapid transit |locale = Eugene and Springfield, Oregon |start = Commerce Station |via = West 11th Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Pioneer Parkway |end = Gateway Mall |length = 13 mi |stations = 37 |otherroutes = |level = |level1 = |frequency = 10–20 minutes |alt_frequency = 15–30 minutes |time = |day = |zone = |ridership = |annualpatronage = 2,786,403 (2024) |fare = |cash = |transfers = |timetable_link = |map_link = |map = |map_state = collapsed
The Emerald Express (EmX) is a bus rapid transit system in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area in Oregon, United States. It is provided by the Lane Transit District (LTD) which is the public transit authority in Lane County, Oregon.
LTD chose bus rapid transit after a review process in which several transportation options, including light rail, were considered. It was decided that the BRT option was the best fit for Eugene-Springfield's size and current transportation needs.
The first route, named the Green Line, was opened in early 2007, connecting downtown Springfield to downtown Eugene. There are ten stops along the 4 mi route, including the University of Oregon.
Less than a year later, ridership had doubled in the corridor, and the city of Eugene was nominated for the 2008 Sustainable Transportation Award, and received an honorable mention. An extension was opened on January 9, 2011, connecting EmX to the Gateway Mall as well as Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and International Way. A second extension to West Eugene opened on September 17, 2017, adding 9 mi to the system.
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), under its BRT Standard, has given the EmX corridor a Bronze ranking.
Description
The EmX system is made up of sections of dedicated bus lanes for most of the route (60%), with normal roads in between. The vehicles are given signal priority via ground-loop signaling to the traffic control system, with special traffic signals at intersections. The vehicles have two sets of doors on the left and three on the right, allowing loading from platforms on either side. Most of the right hand side platforms can only accommodate the rear two doors. Riding the Emerald Express was free when it began operations, but now costs regular fare. The articulated buses are equipped with Hybrid drives which allows for a smooth acceleration from stops and through the various road segments.
On weekdays, service runs approximately from 6:00am to 11:00pm. Buses arrive every 10 minutes throughout the day, with longer headways during the evening and the first hour of the morning. More limited service operates during the weekend.
Fares
EmX fares are the same as other LTD bus routes; both single-ride ($1.75) and passes ($3.50 daily, $50 monthly) are accepted.
Unlike other LTD bus routes, the EmX uses a proof-of-payment system, and fares must be paid prior to boarding at ticket vending machines located on station platforms.
Lines
Green Line
The first EmX line, the Franklin Corridor (Green Line), opened on January 14, 2007. It runs between Eugene Station in downtown Eugene and Springfield Station in downtown Springfield, and serves the University of Oregon. It is 4 mi long and cost $25 million to design and build.
Compared with the non-BRT service that the Green Line replaced (Route 11), rush hour travel times decreased over 25% from 22 minutes to 16 minutes and ridership doubled in the first year. In fiscal 2008–09, Green Line ridership was 1.6M.
Local artist Linn Cook was selected by a committee of artists and community members to create cast and formed metal railings depicting indigenous plants. Each station features a different plant.
Gateway Line
The 7.8 mi Gateway Line extension opened on January 9, 2011, linking downtown Springfield and Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. It uses the newly constructed Pioneer Parkway corridor and newly-constructed dedicated bus lanes on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and RiverBend Drive.
West Eugene Extension
The West Eugene Extension added 17 stations west of Eugene Station. It opened on September 17, 2017.
LTD conducted environmental analyses and collected public comments as part of the extension's planning process. A number of route alignments were considered, focusing on West 6th, 7th, or 13th Avenues to connect with West 11th Avenue somewhere near Chambers or Garfield Streets. One alternative placed service on West 7th Place instead of West 11th Avenue between Garfield and Seneca Rd. All alternatives continued down West 11th Avenue to a planned terminus and turnaround in the Walmart parking lot west of Commerce Street. In spring 2011, the west 6th and 7th to 11th was selected as the locally preferred alternative.
Some local businesses and residents opposed the extension, saying that it would be expensive, unnecessary, and could cause a decrease in property values. In June 2013, opponents of the extension filed suit in federal court in Seattle, challenging the extension's approval and funding by the Federal Transit Administration. The suit alleged nine violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and alleged violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. The suit further claimed that LTD had not met requirements for federal funding. The court ruled against the extension's opponents in July 2014, and construction began in March 2015. The Federal Transit Administration awarded $75 million to the project in September 2015, covering most of its $96.5 million total cost.
Future
LTD eventually plans to run EmX along all main transportation corridors in the metro area. Their MovingAhead long-range plan includes expansion of EmX service on new corridors. , the corridors under consideration for EmX or other expanded bus services are 30th Avenue to serve Lane Community College; Coburg Road; Highway 99; Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and River Road.
Stations
::data[format=table]
| EmX Green Line | Station | Type | Location | Coordinates | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce Station | C | W 11th Ave at Commerce St | Western terminus | |||
| Bertelsen | C | W 11th Ave at Bertelsen Rd | ||||
| Sam Reynolds | C | W 11th Ave east of Sam Reynolds St | ||||
| Bailey Hill | C | W 11th Ave west of Bailey Hill Rd | ||||
| Seneca Station | C | W 11th Ave west of Seneca Rd | Seneca Central Shopping Center | |||
| Oak Patch | C | W 11th Ave at Oak Patch Rd | ||||
| McKinley | C | W 11th Ave at McKinley St | ||||
| Garfield/11th | C | Garfield St north of W 11th Ave (inbound) | ||||
| Garfield/10th | C | Garfield St south of 10th Ave (outbound) | ||||
| Garfield/7th | C | Garfield St south of 7th Ave (outbound) | ||||
| Garfield/6th | C | Garfield St south of 6th Ave (inbound) | ||||
| Chambers Street | C | 6th Ave west of Chambers St (inbound); | ||||
| 7th Ave west of Chambers St (outbound) | ||||||
| Polk Street | C | 6th Ave west of Polk St (inbound); | ||||
| 7th Ave west of Polk St (outbound) | ||||||
| Monroe Street | C | 6th Ave west of Monroe St (inbound); | ||||
| 7th Ave east of Monroe St (outbound) | ||||||
| Charnelton Street | C | Charnelton St south of 6th Ave (inbound); | ||||
| Charnelton St south of 7th Ave (outbound) | ||||||
| Eugene | C | 10th Ave at Olive St | LTD Bus Station, Bays T and U | [[File:EmX pulling into Eugene Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| High Street | M | 10th Ave at High St (outbound); | ||||
| 11th Ave at High Street (inbound) | [[File:EmX High Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||||
| Hilyard | M | 11th Ave at Hilyard St | Sacred Heart Medical Center University District | [[File:EmX Hilyard Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Dads' Gates | M | 11th Ave at Old Campus Lane | University of Oregon, West end of Campus | [[File:EmX Dads Gates Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Agate | M | Franklin Blvd at Agate St | At east end of University of Oregon Campus | [[File:EMX Agate Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Walnut | M | Franklin Blvd at Walnut St | [[File:EmX Walnut Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Glenwood | C | Franklin Blvd at Glenwood Blvd | Separate EB and WB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:Glenwood EmX.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Lexington | C | Franklin Blvd at Lexington Ave | Separate EB and WB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:EmX Lexington Station one side.jpg | 100px]] | |
| McVay | M | Franklin Blvd at Main St | [[File:EmX McVay Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Springfield | C | S A St. at Pioneer Pkwy E | LTD Bus Station, Bays F and G | [[File:EMX Platform G.jpg | 100px]] | |
| E Street | C | Pioneer Pkwy W at E St | Southbound | [[File:EMX E Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| F Street | C | Pioneer Pkwy E at F St | Northbound | [[File:EMX F Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Centennial | M | Pioneer Pkwy at Centennial Blvd | [[File:EMX Centennial Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Q Street | M | Pioneer Pkwy at Q St | [[File:EMX Q Street Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Hayden Bridge | M | Pioneer Pkwy at Hayden Bridge Way | [[File:EMX Hayden Bridge Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| RiverBend | M | Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy at RiverBend Dr | [[File:EMX RiverBend Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Sacred Heart | M | RiverBend Dr at Cardinal Way | Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend South Entrance | [[File:EMX Sacred Heart Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Pavilion Station | M | Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend North Entrance | ||||
| International Way East | M | International Way | [[File:EMX International Way East Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||
| Maple Island | M | International Way at Maple Island Farm Rd | ||||
| AKA International Center | [[File:EMX International Center Station.jpg | 100px]] | ||||
| International Way West | M | International Way | Symantec Corporation | [[File:EMX International Way West Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Kruse Way | C | Gateway St at Kruse Way | Separate NB and SB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:EMX Kruse Way Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Postal Way | C | Gateway St at Postal Way | Separate NB and SB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:EMX Postal Way Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Gateway | C | West side of Gateway St., south of Oakdale Ave. | LTD Bus Station at Gateway Mall | [[File:EMX Gateway Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Guy Lee | C | Harlow Rd at Guy Lee Park | Separate NB and SB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:EMX Guy Lee Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Pheasant | C | Harlow Rd at Pheasant Blvd | Separate NB and SB curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street | [[File:EMX Pheasant Station.jpg | 100px]] | |
| Type Code: C = Curbside (side platforms) or M = Median (island platform) | ||||||
| :: |
References
References
- "2024 Annual Agency Profile - Lane Transit District (NTD ID 00007)". [[Federal Transit Administration]].
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080307151035/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS150873+14-Jan-2008+PRN20080114 "London, Paris Edge Out Guatemala City, Guatemala; Eugene, Oregon; and Pereira, Colombia for 2008 Sustainable Transport Award"], by Environmental Defense staff, Reuters News Service, Jan. 14, 2008
- "Search > Lane Transit District".
- (2020). "BRT Rankings". [[Institute for Transportation and Development Policy]].
- link. (2009-08-29 , ''ltd.org'', retrieved 6-29-09)
- [https://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=7eb669c2f5de899fee43b4e45fbdb204, retrieved 11-28-2012]
- "Lane Transit District - Fare & Pass Pricing".
- [https://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=ab48c643f2cb0f8a7a7e4ee5b79ce3c8 RideSource “Free Fare” Zone Created by EmX]
- "Eugene, Oregon EmX, BRT Policy Center".
- "EmX History". Lane Transit District.
- [https://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=6d517154d17fc3e09be84a0ee196bd7b "EmX FAQ], ltd.org, retrieved 9-1-2010
- (January 31, 2011). "DeFazio in Driver's Seat for New EmX Line". [[American Public Transportation Association]].
- (September 17, 2017). "EmX Service Begins in west Eugene". Lane Transit District.
- Glucklich, Elon. (September 17, 2017). "LTD delivers hustle to streets of bustle". The Register-Guard.
- "West Eugene EmX Extension Project Schedule". Lane Transit District.
- "Project Concept Maps". Lane Transit District.
- "Concerns". Our Money Our Transit.
- Bolt, Greg. (June 23, 2013). "Foes sue to stop EmX growth". Guard Publishing Co..
- Hill, Christian. (July 18, 2014). "Challenge to bus line dismissed". Guard Publishing Co..
- (September 3, 2015). "Tree cutting heads west on new EmX line". The Register-Guard.
- (September 11, 2015). "Feds award nearly $75 million for West Eugene Emx construction". The Register-Guard.
- Hill, Christian. (October 14, 2019). "EmX bus service could be adding more transit lines in Eugene". The Register-Guard.
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