Emerald Express

Emerald Express (EmX)
Green Line, Gateway Line
Overview
OperatorLane Transit District
StatusOperational
Began serviceJanuary 14, 2007 (2007-01-14)
PredecessorsRoute 11 Thurston
Route
Route typeBus rapid transit
LocaleEugene and Springfield, Oregon
StartCommerce Station
ViaWest 11th Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Pioneer Parkway
EndGateway Mall
Length13 miles (21 km)
Stations37
Service
Frequency10–20 minutes
Weekend frequency15–30 minutes
TimetableLTD Route 103 (EMX)
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The Emerald Express (EmX) is a bus rapid transit (BRT) 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-mile (6.4 km) 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.[1] 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.[2] A second extension to West Eugene opened on September 17, 2017, adding 9 miles (14 km) to the system.

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), under its BRT Standard, has given the EmX corridor a Bronze ranking.[3]

  1. ^ "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
  2. ^ "Search > Lane Transit District".
  3. ^ "BRT Rankings". Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.