Light rail has done much better in PDX than most cities, that's true.

But, I still worry that the region is overinvesting in light rail relative to bus system improvements, or fixing key road bottlenecks.

The amount of traffic removed by rail isn't trivial, but it isn't huge. You could probably do the same for a lot less money by adding a few HOV/Bus lanes on key arterials and putting real money into keeping the busses and bus stops new, clean, frequent, like Vancouver BC does.

Plus, the "you can bike or bus anywhere" statement is only partially true: that's if you have time, and have the mobility to bike and/or to talk that last 500 meters between your destination points and the bus stop. For many trips the time disadvantage of transit is just too high -- if transfers are involved, what would be a 15 min car trip can easily become a 90 min transit trip. Better than a place like Phoenix where it might well be impossible, but still significant. Even without the time disadvantage, if I'm on my way to work in a suit I'm not likely to want to stand out in the rain very much.

Also, as my mom in Portland ages she's just not able to walk 5 or 10 blocks and stand at a bus stop. I'm glad transit is there for the elderly who can't afford to keep a car, or who's ailments impair driving more than walking. But the bus would just not work for her anymore.

Watching my mom is putting in perspective for me the degree to which many Portland planners assume that everyone is a 30-something fitness enthusiast who doesn't mind being out in the rain on a work day.