View source for Emerald Express

{{Short description|BRT system in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon}}
{{Infobox bus line
|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            = {{start date|2007|01|14}}
|predecessors    = Route 11 Thurston
|routetype       = [[Bus rapid transit]]
|locale          = [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] and [[Springfield, Oregon|Springfield]], [[Oregon]]
|start           = Commerce Station
|via             = West 11th Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Pioneer Parkway
|end             = [[Gateway Mall (Springfield, Oregon)|Gateway Mall]]
|length          = {{convert|13|mi|km}}
|stations        = 37
|otherroutes     = 
|level           = 
|level1          = 
|frequency       = 10–20 minutes
|alt_frequency   = 15–30 minutes
|time            = 
|day             = 
|zone            = 
|ridership       = 
|annualpatronage = 2,554,326 (2023)<ref name="NTD">{{cite web |title=2023 Annual Agency Profile - Lane Transit District (NTD ID 00007)|url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2023/00007.pdf|work=National Transit Database |publisher=[[Federal Transit Administration]]|accessdate=April 16, 2025}}</ref>
|fare            = 
|cash            = 
|transfers       = 
|timetable_link  = {{URL|https://www.ltd.org/system-map/route_103/|LTD Route 103 (EMX)}}
|map_link        = 
|map             = {{LTD EMX|inline=y}}
|map_state       = collapsed
}}

The '''Emerald Express''' ('''EmX''') is a [[bus rapid transit]] system in the [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]]-[[Springfield, Oregon|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 {{convert|4|mi|km|adj=mid}} 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.<ref name="award">[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</ref>  An extension was opened on January 9, 2011, connecting EmX to the [[Gateway Mall (Springfield, Oregon)|Gateway Mall]] as well as [[Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend]] and [[International Way]].<ref name="ltd-announcement">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=79712a1d3f98cfceb53a859f88825651|title=Search > Lane Transit District}}</ref> A second extension to West Eugene opened on September 17, 2017, adding {{convert|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.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.itdp.org/library/standards-and-guides/the-bus-rapid-transit-standard/best-practices-2013/ | title = BRT Rankings | date = 2020 | publisher = [[Institute for Transportation and Development Policy]] | access-date = April 26, 2020 }}</ref>

==Description==
The EmX system is made up of sections of dedicated [[bus lane]]s 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 vehicle|Hybrid drives]] which allows for a smooth acceleration from stops and through the various road segments.

On weekdays, service runs approximately from 6:00{{nbsp}}am to 11:00{{nbsp}}pm.  Buses arrive every 10 minutes throughout the day, with longer [[headway]]s during the evening and the first hour of the morning.  More limited service operates during the weekend.<ref>[http://www.ltd.org/viewroute.html?routeversion=8e0a2a80878aa71c442888f0360c71f8 101 "EmX Green Line" (schedule)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829103211/http://www.ltd.org/viewroute.html?routeversion=8e0a2a80878aa71c442888f0360c71f8 |date=2009-08-29 }}, ''ltd.org'', retrieved 6-29-09</ref>

{{wide image|Eugene-EMX-2.jpg|800px|EmX buses at Agate Station, with dedicated busway visible at right}}

==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.<ref>[http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=7eb669c2f5de899fee43b4e45fbdb204, retrieved 11-28-2012]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ltd.org/fare-pass-pricing/|title=Lane Transit District - Fare & Pass Pricing|website=Lane Transit District|access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref>

==Lines==

===Green Line===
The first EmX line, the Franklin Corridor (Green Line), opened on January 14, 2007.<ref>[http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=ab48c643f2cb0f8a7a7e4ee5b79ce3c8 RideSource “Free Fare” Zone Created by EmX<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It runs between [[Eugene Station (Lane Transit District)|Eugene Station]] in downtown Eugene and Springfield Station in downtown Springfield, and serves the [[University of Oregon]]. It is {{cvt|4|mi}} long and cost $25 million to design and build.<ref>[http://www.gobrt.org/Eugene.html Eugene, Oregon EmX, BRT Policy Center]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=45a4b83927fba5cb751c741bf4ac81e3|title=EmX History|publisher=Lane Transit District|access-date=2009-04-08}}</ref>

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.<ref name="award" /> In fiscal 2008&ndash;09, Green Line ridership was 1.6M.<ref name="faq">[http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=6d517154d17fc3e09be84a0ee196bd7b "EmX FAQ], ltd.org, retrieved 9-1-2010</ref>

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 {{cvt|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.<ref name="pt-2011jan31">{{cite news|title=DeFazio in Driver's Seat for New EmX Line|work=Passenger Transport|publisher=[[American Public Transportation Association]]|date=January 31, 2011|url=http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/aptapt/issues/2011-01-31/4.html|access-date=2015-07-04}}</ref>

===West Eugene Extension===
The West Eugene Extension added 17 stations west of Eugene Station. It opened on September 17, 2017.<ref>{{cite press release|title=EmX Service Begins in west Eugene|url=https://www.ltd.org/latest-news/emx-service-begins-in-west/|publisher=Lane Transit District|date=September 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219110426/https://www.ltd.org/latest-news/emx-service-begins-in-west/|archive-date=December 19, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=December 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Glucklich |first=Elon |date=September 17, 2017 |title=LTD delivers hustle to streets of bustle |url=http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/35958935-75/ltd-delivers-hustle-to-streets-of-bustle.html.csp |work=The Register-Guard |location=Eugene, Oregon |access-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref>

LTD conducted environmental analyses and collected public comments as part of the extension's planning process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=899c0eccd8f84c7076f504daeaaa7921|title=West Eugene EmX Extension Project Schedule|publisher=Lane Transit District|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=b4689dc4a2bbc2a6382ce93ef847c3a2|title=Project Concept Maps|publisher=Lane Transit District|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Concerns|publisher=Our Money Our Transit|url=http://www.ourmoneyourtransit.com/concerns.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107185501/http://www.ourmoneyourtransit.com/concerns.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 7, 2011|access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> 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 (United States)|Administrative Procedure Act]]. The suit further claimed that LTD had not met requirements for federal funding.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bolt|first=Greg|title=Foes sue to stop EmX growth|newspaper=The Register-Guard|location=Eugene, Oregon|pages=B1|publisher=Guard Publishing Co.|date=June 23, 2013|url=http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/30045040-75/project-federal-transit-lawsuit-suit.html.csp|access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref> The court ruled against the extension's opponents in July 2014,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hill|first=Christian|title=Challenge to bus line dismissed|newspaper=The Register-Guard|location=Eugene, Oregon|publisher=Guard Publishing Co.|date=July 18, 2014|url=http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/31881917-75/transit-eugene-project-route-west.html.csp|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> and construction began in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Christian|title=Tree cutting heads west on new EmX line|url=http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33464257-75/tree-cutting-heads-west-on-new-emx-line.html.csp|work=The Register-Guard|date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> The [[Federal Transit Administration]] awarded $75 million to the project in September 2015, covering most of its $96.5 million total cost.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Christian|title=Feds award nearly $75 million for West Eugene Emx construction|url=http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33491999-75/feds-award-nearly-75-million-for-west-eugene-emx-construction.html.csp|work=The Register-Guard|date=September 11, 2015}}</ref>

===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. {{As of|2019}}, 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Christian |date=October 14, 2019 |title=EmX bus service could be adding more transit lines in Eugene |url=https://www.registerguard.com/news/20191014/emx-bus-service-could-be-adding-more-transit-lines-in-eugene |work=The Register-Guard |access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

==Stations==
{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! colspan="6" | EmX Green Line
|-
! Station !! Type !! Location !! Coordinates !! Notes !! Photo
|-
| '''Commerce&nbsp;Station'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave at Commerce St
| {{Coord|44|02|53.5|N|123|10|13.9|W|display=inline}}
| Western terminus
| 
|-
| '''Bertelsen'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave at Bertelsen Rd
| {{Coord|44|02|52.9|N|123|09|44.8|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Sam Reynolds'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave east of Sam Reynolds St
| {{Coord|44|02|53.0|N|123|09|22.5|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Bailey Hill'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave west of Bailey Hill Rd
| {{Coord|44|02|52.9|N|123|08|55.2|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Seneca Station'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave west of Seneca Rd
| {{Coord|44|02|52.6|N|123|08|28.3|W|display=inline}}
| Seneca Central Shopping Center
| 
|-
| '''Oak Patch'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave at Oak Patch Rd
| {{Coord|44|02|52.5|N|123|08|08.5|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''McKinley'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| W 11th Ave at McKinley St
| {{Coord|44|02|52.3|N|123|07|47.8|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Garfield/11th'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Garfield St north of W 11th Ave (Inbound only)
| {{Coord|44|02|53.2|N|123|07|23.3|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Garfield/10th'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Garfield St south of 10th Ave (Outbound only)
| {{Coord|44|02|54.0|N|123|07|22.4|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Garfield/7th'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Garfield St south of 7th Ave (Outbound only)
| {{Coord|44|03|05.9|N|123|07|21.7|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Garfield/6th'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Garfield St south of 6th Ave (Inbound only)
| {{Coord|44|03|11.6|N|123|07|20.7|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''Chambers Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| 6th Ave west of Chambers St (Inbound&nbsp;only), 7th Ave west of Chambers St (Outbound&nbsp;only)
| 
| 
| 
|-
| '''Polk Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| 6th Ave west of Polk St (Inbound&nbsp;only), 7th Ave west of Polk St (Outbound&nbsp;only)
| 
| 
| 
|-
| '''Monroe Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| 6th Ave west of Monroe St (Inbound&nbsp;only), 7th Ave east of Monroe St (Outbound&nbsp;only)
| 
| 
| 
|-
| '''Charnelton Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Charnelton St south of 6th Ave (Inbound&nbsp;only), Charnelton St south of 7th Ave (Outbound&nbsp;only)
| {{Coord|44|03|07.7|N|123|05|44.8|W|display=inline}}
| 
| 
|-
| '''[[Eugene Station (Lane Transit District)|Eugene]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| 10th Ave at Olive St
| {{Coord|44|02|55.1|N|123|05|37.3|W|display=inline}}
| LTD Bus Station, Bays T and U
| [[File:EmX pulling into Eugene Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''High&nbsp;Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| 10th Ave at High St (Outbound only), 11th Ave at High Street (Inbound only)
| {{Coord|44|02|55.7|N|123|05|16.5|W|display=inline}}
|
| [[File:EmX High Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Hilyard'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| 11th Ave at Hilyard St
| {{Coord|44|02|51.5|N|123|04|56.5|W|display=inline}}
| [[Sacred Heart Medical Center University District]]
| [[File:EmX Hilyard Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Dads'&nbsp;Gates'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| 11th Ave at Old Campus Lane
| {{Coord|44|02|51.8|N|123|04|39.3|W|display=inline}}
| [[University of Oregon]], West end of Campus
| [[File:EmX Dads Gates Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Agate'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Franklin Blvd at Agate St 
| {{Coord|44|02|47.2|N|123|04|09.8|W|display=inline}}
| At East end of University of Oregon Campus
|[[File:EMX Agate Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Walnut'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Franklin Blvd at Walnut St
| {{Coord|44|02|41.2|N|123|03|40.5|W|display=inline}}
|
| [[File:EmX Walnut Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Glenwood'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Franklin Blvd at Glenwood Blvd
|
| Separate eastbound and westbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
| [[File:Glenwood EmX.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Lexington'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Franklin Blvd at Lexington Ave
|
| Separate eastbound and westbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
| [[File:EmX Lexington Station one side.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''McVay'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Franklin Blvd at Main St
| {{Coord|44|02|39.1|N|123|01|51.4|W|display=inline}}
|
| [[File:EmX McVay Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Springfield'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| S A St. at Pioneer Pkwy E
| {{Coord|44|02|44.0|N|123|01|18.8|W|display=inline}}
| LTD Bus Station, Bays F and G
| [[File:EMX Platform G.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''E&nbsp;Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Pioneer Pkwy W at E St
|
| Southbound
| [[File:EMX E Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''F&nbsp;Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Pioneer Pkwy E at F St
|
| Northbound
| [[File:EMX F Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Centennial'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Pioneer Pkwy at Centennial Blvd
|
|
|[[File:EMX Centennial Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Q&nbsp;Street'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Pioneer Pkwy at Q St
|
|
|[[File:EMX Q Street Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Hayden&nbsp;Bridge'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Pioneer Pkwy at Hayden Bridge Way
|
|
|[[File:EMX Hayden Bridge Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''RiverBend'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy at RiverBend Dr
|
|
|[[File:EMX RiverBend Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Sacred&nbsp;Heart'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| RiverBend Dr at Cardinal Way
|
| [[Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend]] South Entrance
|[[File:EMX Sacred Heart Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Pavilion Station'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend North Entrance
|
|
|-
| '''International Way East'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| International Way
|
|
|[[File:EMX International Way East Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Maple&nbsp;Island'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| International Way at Maple Island Farm Rd, AKA International Center Station
|
|
|[[File:EMX International Center Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''International Way West'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''M'''
| International Way
|
|[[Symantec Corporation]]
|[[File:EMX International Way West Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Kruse&nbsp;Way'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Gateway St at Kruse Way
|
|Separate northbound and southbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
|[[File:EMX Kruse Way Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Postal&nbsp;Way'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Gateway St at Postal Way
|
|Separate northbound and southbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
|[[File:EMX Postal Way Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Gateway'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| West side of Gateway St., south of Oakdale Ave.
| {{Coord|44|04|25.0|N|123|02|33.8|W|display=inline}}
| LTD Bus Station at [[Gateway Mall (Springfield, Oregon)|Gateway Mall]]
| [[File:EMX Gateway Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Guy&nbsp;Lee'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Harlow Rd at Guy Lee Park
|
|Separate northbound and southbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
|[[File:EMX Guy Lee Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| '''Pheasant'''
| style="text-align:center;" | '''C'''
| Harlow Rd at Pheasant Blvd
|
|Separate northbound and southbound curbside platforms on opposite sides of the street
|[[File:EMX Pheasant Station.jpg|100px]]
|-
| colspan="6" | Type Code: '''C''' = Curbside (side platforms) or '''M''' = Median (island platform)
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Emerald Express (EmX)}}
*[http://www.ltd.org/search/showresult.html?versionthread=d38519362672c662c61a9300c1dd78be Lane Transit District official website with description of project]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060926013736/http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/releases/news_events_362.html Federal Transit Administration description of the project]
* [http://www.gobrt.org/Eugene.html Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center description and evaluation of the project]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100924170902/http://ourmoneyourtransit.com/ ''Our Money, Our Transit'']}}, website that opposes West Eugene extension.

{{USBRT}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emerald Express (Emx)}}
[[Category:Bus rapid transit in Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Eugene, Oregon]]
[[Category:Springfield, Oregon]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Oregon]]