Portland, Oregon – A promised shuttle service connecting a city-operated overnight homeless shelter with a day center has been discontinued, sparking complaints from both housed residents of the Pearl District and those utilizing the shelter system. The shuttle, intended to ease access for individuals with limited mobility, ran for several months but was quietly phased out, leaving some shelter guests stranded and raising questions about the city’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
The service linked the Northrup overnight-only shelter, which provides 200 beds, and the Oasis day center in Old Town, a distance of approximately one mile. The Oasis center was established by the city as a daytime refuge for individuals staying at overnight shelters.
City officials maintain that a dedicated, permanent shuttle was never formally promised, despite communications suggesting otherwise. Rob Layne, a spokesperson for the city’s homeless services division, stated that the shuttle was intended as a “value-added resource” to assist the City Outreach Team in transporting individuals with mobility challenges on a case-by-case basis. He explained that increased demand across the city necessitated a reassessment of the shuttle’s deployment.
“The shuttle is not a promised service, but rather a value-added resource to assist the City Outreach Team in transporting low-mobility participants,” Layne said. “Although the early use of the shuttle van focused on consistent location to location transport, the increased demand for service from shelter participants experiencing low-mobility across the city required reassessment of the van’s use.”
However, accounts from shelter guests paint a different picture. Will, a resident of the Northrup shelter, described the shuttle as readily available to anyone who could catch it, with priority given to those in wheelchairs. He recalled a period of “multiple loads every day” and expressed frustration at its disappearance. “I used to use a free shuttle bus to the Old Town day center,” he said, adding that he exited the shelter on morning with a limp.
Robert, another shelter guest, corroborated Will’s account, stating he had also used the shuttle and assisted individuals in wheelchairs with boarding. Both Will and Robert, along with other shelter guests, believed the shuttle had simply broken down, but were informed it would no longer operate between the shelter and the day center.
The shuttle van was donated to Urban Alchemy, the nonprofit organization managing the Oasis day center and several of the city’s 24/7 shelters, by TriMet, the regional public transportation provider. According to Layne, the shuttle had experienced mechanical issues several weeks prior to its discontinuation but was undergoing repairs.
Urban Alchemy spokesperson Jes Montejano confirmed the repairs and stated the shuttle is now operating on an ad hoc basis, responding to specific needs as requested by the city. “Urban Alchemy is in control of it, but works closely with the city,” Montejano said. “When there’s a need and they ask for help, we’ll try our best to step up.” He emphasized that the shuttle was always intended to be a flexible resource, lacking a fixed route or schedule, and that individuals requiring transportation cannot directly request it.
The situation has fueled criticism from Pearl District residents, who argue the shuttle was part of a broader commitment from Mayor Keith Wilson to mitigate the impact of the new shelters on the surrounding neighborhood. Linda Witt, a frequent critic of the city’s homeless services policies, pointed to previous communications from city officials and Urban Alchemy employees that she believes constituted a promise of dedicated transportation.
Witt cited an email from Hendrik Broekelschen, the city’s point person for homelessness communications, stating that a “larger vehicle” would soon be deployed to shuttle people to the Oasis Day Center. She also referenced a interview with Urban Alchemy’s director of operations, Jeffers Dickey, who announced the implementation of a shuttle service to the Oasis. Witt highlighted an Instagram post featuring Mayor Wilson with “our shuttle team.”
Layne, however, maintained that these communications did not indicate a commitment to a permanent shuttle service. He argued that Broekelschen’s email referred to a supplemental service and that the city had also been working with Portland Streetcar to provide alternative transportation options.
The controversy surrounding the shuttle service comes amid broader concerns about the city’s management of its homeless shelters and their impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Neighbors of the Moore Street Shelter in North Portland have reported a tripling of emergency responses in the first nine months of , raising questions about public safety and quality of life.
Corinne Frechette, a volunteer who regularly assists individuals at the Northrup shelter, expressed concern that the lack of a reliable shuttle service would disproportionately affect those with disabilities. She noted a decline in the number of individuals with mobility challenges staying at the shelter, suggesting they may have sought alternative accommodations due to the transportation difficulties. “For an able-bodied individual without significant belongings, the walk…is approximately 15–20 minutes,” Frechette wrote in an email to city councilors. “For many people experiencing homelessness…that distance becomes a major barrier.”
As of , the shuttle remains operating on an ad hoc basis, leaving many shelter guests reliant on alternative transportation options, including the Portland Streetcar and the goodwill of outreach workers. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the city of Portland in providing adequate support and resources to its homeless population while addressing the concerns of residents and businesses in affected neighborhoods.
