In an effort to save perhaps two minutes of travel time through downtown Portland, TriMet staff is proposing to close four MAX stops: Skidmore Fountain, Pioneer Place at Southwest Fourth and Fifth avenues and King's Hills.

This is misguided and unjustified. Downtown isn't just a "transit freeway" from the east to westside, and cutting stations will not result in noticeable time savings for the average commuter. Each station cut may save 30 seconds, but closures impact businesses, students, employees, the elderly and people who are disabled.