Area residents looked at the existing east and west side lines and recognized that their neighbors weren't using it. Most light-rail supporters only want light rail because they hope someone else will ride it. No air quality gains were perceived. It was recognized that light rail has an insignificant effect on air quality. There was no disagreement that compressed natural gas buses offered more air quality improvement.
Light rail wastes energy.
One mile would pay for turning McLoughlin Boulevard into a six lane freeway with an HOV lane plus constructing overpasses on the Milwaukie Expressway to eliminate the lights. That's enough money to add significant amount of bus service. Published plans show that they want to build to Oregon City, Tigard, Lake Oswego, the airport and along Hwy 217 and the accumulated costs were frightening. There was a recognition that light rail does not create more choices and it, in fact, takes away choices. Because it is so expensive, no money would have been available for major improvements to bus service, bikeways, and highways that would offer far more choices than light rail.