tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67899583166187245652024-03-13T16:52:18.415-07:00ERIK HALSTEADAl Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-70322582799023125702012-03-27T09:16:00.001-07:002012-03-27T09:16:16.482-07:00AT THE OREGONIAN<a href="http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2012/03/erik-halstead-at-oregonian.html">ERIK HALSTEAD AT THE OREGONIAN</a>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-74598329476752066422011-12-01T14:52:00.000-08:002011-12-01T14:52:06.963-08:00Will McFarlane ever get up the nerve to meet with Erik?<div class="comment_text">Mr. McFarlane,</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">As a DAILY bus rider, I echo your sentiments that the vast, vast majority of TriMet employees are good, decent, hard working individuals. They get up each day, drive me and my fellow riders to work safely and back home again at night. They deal with other motorists that seem to think that a 20 ton brick-on-wheels can stop on a dime; riders who are lost or get on the wrong bus, punks that think the F- word yelled on a bus is perfectly acceptable, parents who can't control their children...oh, the list of things that happen on a bus each and every day.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">That's where I'll end the agreement.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">Each day, I get on a bus that is 21 years old. And those Operators are at the mercy of that bus, and hope that the mechanics went through it the night before. More often than not, something breaks. Who gets the complaint? The Operator does.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">Dispatch fails to keep tabs on the buses and doesn't re-route buses appropriately. Who gets the complaint? The Operator does for getting stuck in traffic.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">Dispatch creates a re-route, but doesn't inform riders or doesn't dispatch a Supervisor to pick up stranded riders. Who gets the complaint? The Operator does for driving off-route.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">Each day, dozens of scenarios happen in which the Operator gets charged the complaint, but the problem has nothing to do with the Operator.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">And despite your leadership, and that of your infamous predecessor, NOTHING HAS CHANGED.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">TriMet's bus service has been, and continues to be, an afterthought. There's never any money to replace buses that should have been replaced nine years ago (and federal funds would have paid 90% of the cost) - but there's money for...solar panels? No money for bus stop replacements...but TriMet can buy a fleet of Chevrolet Equinoxes? No money for basic service...but money to launch a new light rail line, a commuter rail line (whose operating costs are seven times that of a bus), and still money to hand off to the City of Portland for a Streetcar?</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">If TriMet is really changing its culture for the better, I'm not sure how. What TriMet is doing is forcing its dedicated Bus Operators to put on a happy face despite all that TriMet's management throws at those same Operators. They are forced to be the public face, when they are the ones that have no control of what they have to deal with - and worse yet, they have to get the blame when they couldn't have done anything.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">You have my name, my address, my phone number - you know what route I ride, and what trips I'm on. That's because I post it to each complaint to 238-RIDE or comments@trimet.org. And each time I am told I'll get a response...and I rarely do (and often times the response is so untimely and irrelevant I've just given up.) I have asked, repeatedly, to meet with you in person to discuss service issues that affect me and my partner riders each day on TriMet's bus system.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">There is no change in the culture. You remain, holed up in an office behind locked doors, leaving your Operators to fend for themselves. You refuse to accept responsibility; to demand accountability. Your Operators are being scapegoated for the actions of you, your leadership staff and the front-line managers that refuse to do their part. At the end of the day the buck stops somewhere and it has to be you - Neil McFarlane, General Manager of the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">And so far, you're refused to make the change. YOU have refused to accept responsibility for your transit agency.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">As I've said a million times before, I'll see you at 5th & Hall, at the line 94 stop, any weekday at 4:50 PM. I'll be waiting to see what change there is.</div><br />
<div class="comment_text">But I'm not convinced...as always it is business as usual at TriMet. Bus service is an afterthought...while TriMet's management and leaders are too busy concoting light rail projects and cutting bus services.</div>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-87238668142283961162011-10-11T11:04:00.000-07:002011-10-11T17:00:05.505-07:00Customer service and what it really means In response to <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/10/trimets_memo_to_bus_drivers_be.html">THIS </a>Post:<br />
<br />
As a customer service representative we are reminded constantly as to how important customer service is. After all, it's MY job.<br />
But what is absolutely disheartening is being told over and over how important it is...when we depend on "non-customer service" employees to do the job. And when those people fail at providing customer service, we are left to apologize to the customer (which doesn't necessarily work) and take the blame.<br />
This is exactly what is going on at TriMet. Case in point:<br />
<i>Immediately contact the Operations Command Center (Dispatch/Control) if there is a situation on your vehicle or on district property that requires an emergency response or if a situation is creating a safety concern.<a name='more'></a></i><br />
So, what happens when Dispatch is called, and the Dispatcher replies "too bad"? The Dispatcher, a TriMet Management Employee and a "non-customer service" employee, basically put the Operator on the spot and didn't back them up - right or wrong. The Dispatcher is the one that failed; the Dispatcher is the one that should be on an unpaid administrative leave, the Dispatcher is the one that Mary Fetsch should be repeating the name and saying how bad and awful of an employee she is...but no - it's the Operator who takes 100% of the blame.<br />
I depend on dozens of people to help the customer. I might be the first contact, but I'm not the one that reads the electric meter, sets the meter, installs the transformer, or restores the power during an outage. I'm not the one that cuts the trees, drives the truck, or shovels coal into a dump truck to put it in a boiler. Everyone has a job to play, and if one person doesn't do their part the customer doesn't have power. I can take the call, be as sympathetic to the customer, get the outage order out...but customer service is EVERYONE'S job.<br />
TriMet is no exception. The Dispatcher failed to send a Supervisor. The Supervisor that overheard the call didn't respond. TriMet's Management has proven time and time again that customer service is not their job. TriMet's job, in the eyes of everyone from Neil McFarlane down, is that "We're here to build light rail lines." I have asked repeatedly that TriMet stand down, and take an inward view of its business. That is - providing transit service to the citizens of our region.<br />
That means:<br />
1. Delivering service.<br />
2. Ensuring service is reliable.<br />
3. Ensuring service is on schedule.<br />
4. Ensuring service is safe.<br />
5. Having contingency plans when the above cannot happen.<br />
(In no particular order; they are all equal.)<br />
And when something happens, there needs to be a culture of ownership. Instead of "That's not my job" the answer should be "Let me get on it." Neil McFarlane shouldn't be passing off everything to Mary Fetsch. Mary Fetsch shouldn't be playing the "Which Operator can I blame today" game which she has proven to be a master of. The Operators need support from Management. If they screw up, fine, but instead of playing the public blame game - just fix the problem and move forward.<br />
Memos don't fix problems. Creating cultures of customer service do. TriMet already has failed at the "culture of safety" initative, so I simply have no faith in TriMet's ability to resolve this problem either.Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-73457626756912210922011-07-28T15:55:00.000-07:002011-07-28T15:55:43.857-07:00TriMet celebrates MAX Red Line: 10 million passengers to PDXThomas Ngo Trimet employee states:<br />
<i>"ltjd: The cost of a MAX ride is less than the actual fare. http://trimet.org/about/dashboard.htm"</i><br />
<br />
Erik Halstead responds:<br />
<b>That's not correct either.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>TriMet only counts operating costs of the MAX system in that number, and doesn't count capital costs, overhead, interest on bonds used to build MAX and other costs.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>In fact, SOME of those MAX costs are actually allocated to bus operating...and bus operations is charged with the cost of bus replacement (which is actually a capital cost) while the equivalent expense on the MAX side is not.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>TriMet has a history of underreporting true MAX costs and overreporting true bus costs, and this is confirmed by comparing with virtually every other transit agency in the nation. No one - not ONE single transit agency reports its numbers like TriMet does. TriMet until recently has been very secretive about releasing financial data and refused to publish its budget and audited financial statements; today the audited statements still do not break out costs by mode (hmm, I wonder why?) while other transit agencies routinely do (since many costs on the balance sheet are specific to a mode - bond issuances, for example, have nothing to do with buses.)</b><br />
<br />
<b>That said...with TriMet's own data, the most "successful" operation is the 72 Killingsworth/82nd Avenue bus, which has a per-boarding cost of less than $1.00. That's right - not a MAX train, but a bus. The most expensive route is the 84 Kelso/Boring bus, which takes a full-size bus and a full-time operator nearly two hours to run out from Gresham to Boring and back, often with just one or two paying riders. Let's see...$125 per hour to run the bus so $250 in expenses...maybe $5 in revenue? The problem isn't that it's a bus, it's that the bus route itself makes no sense.</b><br />
<br />
Erik Halstead comments:<br />
<i>To celebrate, TriMet’s general manager, the head of the Port of Portland and other officials handed plastic luggage tags to passengers spilling in and out of MAX trains at PDX this morning.</i><br />
<br />
<b>How much did that cost?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>How much did paying the various TriMet dignitaries cost?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Now, why won't TriMet give that same consideration to each and every TriMet bus rider who has ridden the system, some since TriMet's very inception in 1970? Why does TriMet celebrate every tiny little rail "milestone" but bus riders get nothing? When is the last time Neil and Mary and Bekki showered arriving bus riders with thanks for being the backbone of TriMet and helping to its success?</b><br />
<br />
Erik comments:<br />
<i>How much does road maintenance for vehicles add to the national debt?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Actually, zero. With the exception of one or two years during the Bush administration, all highway funds came from the Highway Trust Fund so all road maintenance was "pay as you go". No money, no maintenance.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Light rail projects are heavily leveraged; in fact TriMet dodged a bullet during the A.I.G. financial scandal because TriMet engaged in a risky sale-lease-leaseback arrangement with a number of the MAX light rail cars (that's right - taxpayers don't own them, a bank does!) and A.I.G. itself was nearly insolvent - meaning that those light rail cars almost got foreclosed upon. But The Oregonian refused to report on it...</b>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-14017053417268873212011-02-05T14:13:00.000-08:002011-02-05T14:13:18.593-08:00Instead of harassing Seniors, here's how TriMet can raise revenue | OregonLive.com<a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2011/02/instead_of_harassing_seniors_h.html">Instead of harassing Seniors, here's how TriMet can raise revenue | OregonLive.com</a>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-51791310136178161352011-02-04T21:43:00.000-08:002011-02-04T21:43:06.199-08:00ON THE SANDI DAY TRAGEDY<b><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"> I speak as the son of a drunk driver victim. My dad was killed right before my 8th birthday, as he drove to work (as the sole supporter of our family) - leaving my mother, my sister and I. My mom, who was previously a stay-at-home mom, was forced to work to support us two kids.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">What Ms. Day did was wrong, but it was purely an accident. Ms. Day did not wake up and say "I want to kill two people." She had the best of intentions to make a courtesy stop. She had driven thousands and thousands of miles, for many days, without a single blemish on her driving record. What happened was the perfect storm of a number of factors that lined up and caused this tragedy.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">It was an accident. The victims' families understand that it was an accident. Ms. Day did not intend to cause harm. She made a mistake, that she will be held responsible for. But what punishment do you propose for someone who made a mistake? Do you truly feel that someone who has been completely remorseful over the situation be thrown in jail over a mistake?</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">My father was killed by a drunk driver. Someone who made the calculated CHOICE to get drunk, get behind the wheel of a car, drive, and blow a stop sign to kill my father. He didn't have to drink alcohol but he chose to, hours before the wreck. He didn't have to drive, but he chose to. It wasn't a matter of a blind spot that he forgot to check - it was selfish decisions made for his own being, rather than the thoughts of others.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">He was charged with criminally negligent homicide (because he was drinking alcohol), and served one year in jail.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">He can legally drive today. Even hold a commercial license.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">I can see the difference between what happened that fateful night in downtown Portland, versus what happened on the outskirts of McMinnville one June morning in 1985.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">There is no amount of jail time that is going to improve this situation. No amount of jail is going to rehabilitate Ms. Day (because there is no rehabilitation needed). Thousands of people die each year because of mistakes; it does not mean that people need to go to jail. The victims' families will probably receive a financial settlement from TriMet and the other defendants in a civil trial. It is a tragic event...but the victims' families have forgiven Ms. Day.</div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">I hope you are not a Christian, because if you are...I hope that on Sunday, you have a very long talk with your Pastor or other religious leader. A very, very long talk. It is okay to be upset, but there is no reason to be vindictive.</div></span></b>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-68765946947393012192011-01-17T13:55:00.000-08:002011-01-17T13:55:09.759-08:00ON MLK SERVICE<div><a class="follow" href="">Follow</a></div><br />
On one hand, I do applaud TriMet for looking for cost savings in not running empty trips for no reason. For example, on December 31st, I was only one of two riders on my #94 bus from Sherwood into Portland, and the only rider on the bus out. It costs TriMet over $100 per hour to run a bus, and for that they earned only $4.70 one way, and $2.35 the other way.<br />
On the other hand, TriMet still has an obligation to serve the public. I don't recall any printed schedules or notices on the buses to alert riders of the schedule changes (and not everyone has a cell phone or internet access). Many people do NOT get the day off, or still have to get around on Monday.<br />
I can certainly see buses like the 61, 64, 65, 66 - buses that exclusively serve V.A. Medical Center and OHSU employees (many of whom will have the day off) not running; there is still the 8 bus to get you up on the hill if you still have to get up there (plus the tram which will be in operation). But many of the canceled trips are neighborhood routes with no nearby service. Why couldn't those routes simply be operated on a reduced schedule? Or at least come up with some creative solution like a "dial-and-ride" shuttle service using a LIFT bus to at least make sure that those who NEED transit still have access to it?<br />
It's this attitude of "TriMet needs to act for its own convenience" that is really aggravating - TriMet works for the people, not the other way around. I appreciate the saving money (although TriMet does a good job wasting money elsewhere, so that's kind of an empty appreciation) but at the core of TriMet is serving the public. We pay a variety of taxes for TriMet to provide service - and we expect that service to be provided. If TriMet doesn't want to provide service, why does TriMet exist? Does Neil McFarlane get a pay cut because of the M.L.K. Day service cuts? Do riders get to pay a lower fare because of lower service?Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-19593796513682690372010-11-19T13:50:00.001-08:002010-11-19T13:50:45.018-08:00On reducing the Trimet budget re: CATO instituteI actually don't disagree on some of the key points that Cato brings up, but they fail to justify their overall point that privatization will accomplish their goals. There are many bloated non-government organizations out there that succumb and fail because of a lack of internal controls.<br />
<br />
TriMet could do very well to adopt some of Cato's suggestions:<br />
<br />
1. Reduce transit employment. I'm not talking Operators, folks - I'm talking management. According to the infamous TriMet Salary database, isn't it close to 50% of TriMet's employees aren't directly involved in service delivery (providing transportation)? TriMet is bloated - at the top - and that needs to be addressed.<br />
<br />
2. Overbuilding. Portland uses light rail not because it's the appropriate mode, but because of its attractiveness - primarily politically. The mode of transport needs to match the need of transport - in some areas of the Portland metro area - or anywhere else - all we need is a shared-ride taxi service. In other areas, light rail is certainly appropriate. But you can't expect a neighborhood that needs just a taxi service to support a fixed-route bus; you can't expect light rail to be cost-effective when a bus will do the job; and you need to build light rail and streetcar where buses are overflowing. Portland's transit planning in that regard is completely backwards.<br />
<br />
TriMet has for many years had the mentality of "one-size-fits-all" which is clearly not correct. Some areas need 60' articulated busses; others could use sub-30 buses. TriMet needs to look at Seattle, Vancouver, Salt Lake City and other cities to see how they can effectively mix multiple vehicles to provide comprehensive service.<br />
<br />
3. Energy efficiency. Yes, a 40' transit bus running empty wastes a lot of diesel. Privatizing the bus operator doesn't change that.<br />
<br />
How can you fix that? Use more fuel-efficient buses (hybrids). Run buses on schedules that match needs. On heavier routes, use higher capacity buses (artics) so that you can carry the same number of passengers using fewer vehicles. Use smaller vehicles - a Sprinter platform bus gets over 15 MPG, nearly four times that of a 40' bus - on lesser patronized routes.<br />
<br />
Another way is to look at deadheads. A TriMet express bus, in particular, spends over 50% of its time in non-revenue service - that's driving around, burning gas, without a single rider onboard. Why are TriMet's bus garages located strictly in the center of the service area, and not where the runs start - in Hillsboro, Tigard, Oregon City, and Gresham? TriMet should disperse its fleet into smaller fleets located strategically located near the start/endpoints of its runs. Not only will this eliminate dead-heading, but also could reduce the commute length for many of its employees.Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-7662496558395416652010-11-05T13:01:00.001-07:002010-11-05T13:01:24.201-07:00On the bond measure defeat<a href="http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/sp_redelectric/index.html"> </a> <br />
<div> <a href="http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/sp_redelectric/index.html" title="View profile"> SP Red Electric </a> <span>November 04, 2010 at 9:11PM</span> </div><div><a class="follow" href="">Follow</a></div><div class="text_container"> <br />
Emma,<br />
If your parents gave you $20 to buy clothes, and you went out and spent it on something else and then asked your parents for another $20 for clothes, how do you think they would respond? Should they give you the additional $20, simply because you can't afford the clothes yourself?<br />
Last year, I directly (or through employer contributions tied to my income) paid $1,522.59 cents in TriMet taxes as well as an annual pass. In addition to that, I paid another $20 in federal fuel taxes that went to the "mass transit account" which pays for federal funding of transit programs, plus federal and state income taxes which are also used in part to fund TriMet programs.<br />
I'm also a daily TriMet bus rider. I count on TriMet each day to get me to and from work, and often to other destinations too.<br />
I have been highly disgusted after seven years of daily TriMet ridership - if TriMet were an airline, I'd be one of the elite "Frequent Fliers" - where I have encountered countless broken buses, buses that simply failed to show up, buses which passed me up, buses that were crush load, buses that were on the road but had some type of failure, bus stops which were unsafe and lacked amenities...the list simply goes on. Meanwhile, TriMet has no problem issuing blank checks for rail projects - $6 million a year handed off to the City of Portland for its Streetcar; the WES project which came in over double the initial projections and is still costing TriMet money in the form of a "quiet zone" in Tualatin - not to mention its $20/boarding ride operating cost; the Free Rail Zone that gives MAX and Streetcar riders a free ride while I pay for every ride I take... It's just like my opening analogy - I give TriMet money to operate my service, yet it goes out and blows the money on some toy. And then it has the gall to ask me for more money, but under the guise of "helping the elderly and disabled".<br />
TriMet isn't going to grow in debt because of buses - TriMet, today, has over $873,480,000 in liabilities - debt - almost entirely because of overreaching light rail expansion. And to service that debt, TriMet must pay, out of operating funds, close to $13 million a year. That's $13 million each year that doesn't move a single passenger, or make a bus move one inch - that's paying TriMet's credit card bill.<br />
TriMet admits that deferred maintenance on its bus fleet is costing millions each year - increased maintenance needs, Operator overtime, and of course the intangible cost of the loss of ridership and goodwill of its citizens, and the time that citizens lose because of TriMet's inability to safely and reliably operate its bus system. TriMet's service cuts and failure to purchase and deploy high capacity buses have also cost TriMet millions each year - by turning away riders who wait for a bus, but simply can't get on the bus because it refuses to allow boardings.<br />
Passing this measure would not solve any of TriMet's problems. In fact, passing this measure would actually tell TriMet that it's acceptable to continue to defer long-needed bus investment, because TriMet would use its existing revenues solely for light rail investment and demand more credit from taxpayers the next time new buses were needed. This measure was a bad precedent and fortunately voters were smart enough to tell TriMet to get its act together.<br />
Like you, I want TriMet to provide a good, quality transit experience no matter who one is, where they live, or what mode of transport that we use. TriMet has shown the public who is demanding better bus service that bus riders are in fact second-class citizens and that our opinions don't count. I'm sure that as a high school student you have learned about the American system of government - one must ask, why TriMet has no citizen representation, but only appointed Board members - appointed by the state's Governor, when TriMet does not even serve the entire state. As far as my "representation" at TriMet, I get just as much as a vote as someone in Jordan Valley, or Brookings, or Joseph, or Astoria gets - yet none of them have any vested interest in TriMet like you and I do.<br />
Voting "no" on this measure was certainly a drastic action. But I never had the chance to vote "NO!" on WES, or the Green Line, or the Yellow Line, or the Red Line. I never had the chance to vote "NO!" on the Portland Streetcar, or the CRC Project, or Milwaukie MAX. Nor did I have the chance to vote "NO!" to TriMet entering the development business. I never had a chance to tell TriMet to use ARRA stimulus dollars for bus service over, say, bike paths (which TriMet doesn't own/operate, but TriMet found its share of Stimulus funding to pay for lighting on the I-205 bike path).<br />
TriMet has every responsibility as a government agency to serve each and every one of its citizens equally and without bias. And part of that is ensuring that we all pay the same fare, and we all get the same quality of ride. It doesn't matter if we ride a bus or a train. TriMet, however, has broken that creed to the public and has engaged in a transport mode debate. And the failure of this measure is in no way a sign that the public does not support bus service - it is a sign that TriMet, as an organization, has failed to serve the public - and that TriMet must change from within, not just ask for money to solve the problem. Just as if your parents give you $20 to spend on clothes - who is to say that you'll take the next $20, and spend it on clothes?<br />
Voting is a serious responsibility and one that I do not take lightly. My vote against 26-119 was not, as you say, from someone "who don't use it, gaining a bad reputation." My vote against 26-119 was from a frustrated, daily TriMet rider - someone who TriMet has made clear is not appreciated or wanted as a dedicated TriMet rider, and someone who is for all intents and purposes a second-class citizen. And for that...I've given TriMet some $1,550 last year, for the privilege of riding in 20 year old buses that are roasting in the summer, leak in the winter, and often break down; while standing on the side of the road in the rain with not even so much as a sidewalk to safely wait on.<br />
How is it that giving more money to TriMet would suddenly fix that? After all, TriMet has 250 buses that are beyond the Federal Transit Administration guidelines to replace yet the bond measure would only replace half of those buses. And we'd be paying interest on those buses long after the buses have been retired and themselves replaced...</div>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-22070361370615558322010-10-14T12:05:00.001-07:002010-10-14T12:05:42.625-07:00On FaresA person riding the MAX or Streetcar downtown gets a free ride; but a person riding the equivalent short distance on a bus downtown; or in downtown Hillsboro, Gresham, Tigard, Oregon City...has to pay $2.05.<br />
A person riding from Forest Grove to Tigard (57 and 76/78 buses) can pay just $2.05; but someone riding from the Zoo to Sunset TC has to pay $2.35.<br />
A MAX ticket is guaranteed to be valid for two hours from the time of purchase - no matter what day of the week it is. Per TriMet Code (TMC 19.25(G)), a bus transfer is only valid for "one hour past the scheduled end of the trip time for the bus on weekdays, two hours on weekends." But, TriMet's non-legalese fare policy which is posted on buses, states that the transfer is good for one hour from the time the transfer is issued. TriMet's simple English policy is in blatant violation of TriMet code and thus someone who boards a 12 bus in Sherwood at 6:20 AM on a weekday, per TriMet Code shall have a transfer that expires NO EARLIER than 9:30 AM because the end of that particular trip is at 8:30 AM in Gresham. If that passenger is given a transfer that expires at 7:20 AM, transfers to another bus and is cited for fare evasion, he will have a legitimate claim against TriMet for being issued a transfer in violation of TriMet policy.<br />
On WES, you cannot pay fare with cash. On buses you cannot pay fare with a credit/debit card (but you can on LTD. Guess Eugene/Springfield is ahead of the game here.)<br />
TriMet's fare structure and policy is horrible. Even in Seattle during off-peak hours there is one simple fare which is clearly posted on a sign mounted to the farebox. When on-peak fares are in effect (or when the bus is in the Fareless Zone) the Operator changes the sign so that there is no question what the correct fare is - it's on a sign and the fare price is in two inch print.<br />
If you're a new bus rider at one of TriMet's 6,000 unimproved bus stops, they will have no idea what the fare is until the bus shows up, and many Operators who are already stressed from their jobs don't want to play cashier and figure out the correct fare for a rider. (For those Operators who do, thank you!)<br />
TriMet could solve this problem once and for all by implementing a very simple time-based fare system; eliminating the confusing 1-2-3 zone system (where zone 2 is really nothing more than an overlap zone, because true one-zone tickets are extremely rare and the minimum cash fare is a two-zone fare), simplifying fares to the nearest quarter. TriMet finally made HC fares a flat $1.00, and Y fares $1.50 -- why aren't 2 zone fares $2.00 and all zone fares $2.25 or $2.50? Better yet - why not follow Seattle - off-peak fares are $2.00, and peak fares are $2.50? Or just make all fares $2.50 with a promise of new fare increases for three years?<br />
I agree that Portland is long overdue for having modern fare card systems...TriMet is one of the last major transit systems to rely on the "flash pass"; and this type of fare "collection" doesn't allow for accurate fare counting because there is no accounting for how many riders flash a pass versus don't pay a fare and board anyways. Most other cities use a RFID card that riders swipe against a reader when boarding and exiting the bus which can correctly calculate the fare, and as an added bonus provides more detailed ridership data. TriMet relies on people to actually count riders a couple times a year for each bus - hardly accurate.<br />
<i>The agency usually concentrates fare inspectors in areas with repeated problems.</i><br />
You mean, on MAX? It's been ages since I've seen a fare inspector on a bus. In fact the only time I did was after all the news media hoopla about MAX TVMs failing at an alarming rate and TriMet in a P.R. stunt, put fare inspectors on buses that were nowhere near a ticket vending machine. I saw maybe one or two people pulled off the bus - total - in all the times I saw the fare inspectors...yet when I'm on MAX and see a fare inspector I'm guaranteed to see at least two people pulled off the train each time...that is...if there's a fare inspector. As a daily bus rider who rides MAX maybe once a month if that...that is an alarming coincidence.Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-32487215316353728432010-09-17T15:08:00.000-07:002010-09-17T15:08:17.528-07:00On the Tiffany Sweitzer editorial<i>TriMet has already taken several steps to address the revenue shortfall. The agency has eliminated programs, cut administration costs and implemented a hiring freeze.</i><br />
Has TriMet eliminated the Capital Planning department - a department that is funded in part by bus riders, but provides ZERO service to bus riders? No! Has TriMet eliminated or reduced its Public Relations department which employs several highly paid personnel to do...nothing to service the transit users? NO!<br />
<i>As a result, more than 120 positions have been cut from the budget.</i><br />
Since TriMet has no problem holding out bus operators to dry who do wrong, I want the names, positions, and salaries (plus benefits) of the 120 positions that have been cut.<br />
<i>Columnist Susan Nielsen blamed the budget problems on health care costs. Well, TriMet is in the final stages of union negotiations that would reduce those health care costs, but they represent only a fraction of the agency's total budget. </i><br />
What "fraction"? Are we talking 1/100th? Or 1/5th?<br />
<i>Columnist Anna Griffin suggested that TriMet has moved too fast to build light rail. But most of the money to build MAX came from federal grants dedicated to rail investments, as well as funds from our regional partners. TriMet's share of building the five rail lines throughout the Portland area has been only about 10 percent of total cost.</i><br />
And yet TriMet refuses to answer: why does TriMet not leverage available federal funding for new buses? Do you not understand that OLD BUSES REQUIRE MORE MAINTENANCE, RESULT IN MORE BREAKDOWNS, AND ARE MORE POLLUTING AND LESS FUEL EFFICIENT - all of which equals one thing: It costs more to run! Yet TriMet wants us to believe it has to pay for new buses from the operating fund.<br />
If that is even true...why has TriMet repeatedly and continuously raided the operating fund to provide funding for light rail CAPITAL costs? Why did TriMet bail out a Colorado company to make sure WES would open; why did WES come in 200% over budget, and costs between 700% and 1500% more per passenger to run than an "expensive" bus? Why do you defend the $5 million annual cost of WES that serves so few passengers; and why do you defend WES riders paying comparatively little for their ride when in fact most commuter rail services require an additional fare that provides no transfers? WES riders should be paying at least $5-6 per ride in addition to what they pay for a bus/MAX ride before or after their trip; and WES riders should not be given free wireless internet access which costs all of us to subsidize.<br />
<i> And light rail costs less to operate than buses.</i><br />
No, it doesn't. It seems so because TriMet plays a shell game with accounting, and shunts a lot of light rail "operating" costs to a capital expense; while forcing bus "capital" costs to be accounted as operating. TriMet's bus riders should not be forced to subsidize the cost of light rail construction, interest payments, park and ride maintenance costs, station maintenance costs, or for that matter the cost of the expensive to operate shuttle buses that exist solely for connections to and from MAX that frequently cost $10-15/per passenger; as opposed to TriMet's "mainline" buses that cost as little as a dollar per rider - FAR LESS than any MAX line (the 72-Killingsworth/82nd Avenue bus is TriMet's most financially successful route.)<br />
Finally - why does TriMet continue to allow light rail riders downtown to get a free ride if TriMet is so strapped for cash; and why does TriMet continue to subsidize the City of Portland Streetcar - a service that COMPETES WITH TRIMET SERVICE but is not part of the regional transit system? Just shutting down the Streetcar subsidy, eliminating the Free Rail Zone, and shutting down WES would cover more than half of TriMet's budget shortfall; aggressive negotiating with the insurance carriers would result in cost savings, and buying new buses with FEDERAL DOLLARS would save TriMet millions more in lower fuel costs, better maintenance, and less overtime costs for relief drivers. TriMet could also purchase articulated buses which would result in TriMet being able to run 20 minute service on many "Frequent Service" routes but without a drop in passenger capacity - the same quantity of service for lower cost. TriMet refuses to do any of that.<br />
TriMet has been silent on my suggestions...so Ms. Schweitzer - let's hear it. Why is TriMet so biased against the bus rider? Why is TriMet refusing federal dollars to improve the bus system? And why is TriMet insistent on running the most cost ineffective service, WES, or at least not demanding that its high-cost riders pay more for their service in line with other transit agencies in North America?Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-64788691958138746032010-09-17T11:55:00.001-07:002010-09-17T11:55:50.333-07:00On the Trimet Bond measureNeil McFarlane: "TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane says the agency should not be forced to choose between bus and rail service."<br />
<br />
The problem is that TriMet HAS chosen rail service over bus service, that much is a clear cut fact. So if he claims we need a balanced system, we need to restore that balance. That may very well mean putting off rail investments for a few years.<br />
<br />
Regardless...TriMet has consistently failed to explain why it is failing to take advantage of the various federal grant programs that will pay 80% of the cost of a new transit bus, and is readily available to Portland and other large transit systems.<br />
<br />
I personally believe TriMet is using this ballot measure not necessarily to fund new buses...but as a proxy measure to judge whether the public supports the bus system or not. If the public votes no on this measure, TriMet will see it as valid justification to continue investing in a rail transit system while ignoring the bus system. When...in reality this measure exists only because of prior mismanagement by TriMet of its finances, by using money that was supposed to be used for bus replacements and shunting it over to expanding the light rail system as well as WES.<br />
<br />
TriMet refused to use Stimulus dollars for the bus system, but heavily poured on the federal trough to the MAX system with numerous improvements.<br />
<br />
And TriMet could easily find internal cost savings that would easily pay for new buses as well as restore service cuts...but refuses to. Why is TriMet spending money on the City of Portland Streetcar? Why is TriMet spending money on the Columbia River Crossing project? Why did TriMet spend money on the I-205 Bike Path?<br />
<br />
And how can TriMet claim that rail is "cheaper to operate", when WES costs between 7-12 times (that's 700%-1200%) more than a bus to run - a WES train sits idle for 36 minutes out of every 90 minutes of "revenue service"...yet TriMet has to pay TWO crew members for those 36 minutes of time that the train sits still doing nothing. Meanwhile, bus Operators have been forced to work long (and potentially dangerous) runs without the benefit of a break every two hours, and often are forced to take their breaks at odd places (like...the corner of 82nd and Sandy?)Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-11425636124147303272010-09-11T00:51:00.000-07:002010-09-11T00:51:06.507-07:00On Trimet operator John Nations getting a citation$10 says this ticket will be thrown out.<br />
TriMet Operator was proceeding legally on S.W. 6th, had to make a left turn. Operator determined he could not safely make the turn from the left lane due to the size of the vehicle, and thus used (without conflict to other vehicles, which would simply be other TriMet vehicles in this case as the center lane is a restricted lane).<br />
Had the Operator not used both lanes, he would have climbed onto the sidewalk putting pedestrians at grave risk due to the size of the vehicle and/or collided with a stopped light rail train on Morrison. Further, there are no prohibitions on left turns by oversized vehicles at this intersection.<br />
At the end of the day, it was not the actions of the Operator that caused the collision. Given the choice of two evils, he chose the evil that would have prevented possible injury to pedestrians standing on the street corner waiting for the walk signal that could have been clipped by the size of the vehicle. It was the actions of a bicyclist who disobeyed a traffic control device and failed to yield right-of-way to the bus which was proceeding legally through the intersection that caused the collision.<br />
Ultimately, this is just another example of TriMet Management making boneheaded decisions to route buses on short notice without thinking about their actions, and using low level Operators as the fall guy instead of the General Manager owning up to the routing being the issue. In Germany, for example, every Autobahn has pre-determined, and permanently signed, detour routes in the event of an Autobahn closure. If the Autobahn is closed, you simply use the next exit and follow permanently installed signs that route you to the next on-ramp. If that ramp is closed, you keep following the detours. TriMet ought to have pre-determined detour routes for each bus route and MAX shuttle, including designated safe turn locations. It's not that difficult to do. TriMet Operators should not be the fall guy because some Supervisor didn't do their job correctly.Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-88789358593328841472010-07-24T22:28:00.000-07:002010-07-24T22:29:06.572-07:00TO THE EDITOR<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">To the Editor,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">TriMet’s new General Manager, Neil McFarlane, recently announced a “top to bottom” safety review of the entire transit system, which includes reviewing the safety of each and every one of TriMet’s 7,155 bus stops.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Despite my complaints about unsafe TriMet bus stops I was rebuffed personally in a letter from former manager Fred Hansen citing TriMet could not improve safety for bus passengers on streets owned and operated by other jurisdictions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Mcfarlane decided to create a safety council naming various individuals – but not one bus rider.<span> </span>He did name one member of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance – an organization that has been known to encourage its members to violate traffic laws.<span> </span>Apparently, those who intentionally act unsafely are considered an “expert” versus the over 200,000 dedicated daily TriMet bus riders who put their lives in the trust of the transit agency and its employees; who often board at marked bus stops that are located with no safe place to wait for a bus.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">A well known and respected TriMet driver had enough of one particular bicyclist and posted a story on his personal blog.<span> </span>Although colorful and a bit extreme it was a passionate plea from a professional and tenured driver of a 40,000 pound vehicle that carries over 60 passengers to a group of bicyclists who do not understand what their unsafe actions can do to those 60 bus riders.<span> </span>Buses simply do not stop on a dime; and do not simply swerve.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Instead of defending the driver, TriMet “shot the messenger”.<span> </span>Suspended the driver for speaking out.<span> </span>Why blame those within politically connected organizations when there’s a low-level employee – a driver – to blame?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">It’s clear TriMet’s new Manager seeks not to improve the bus system but to continue down the path etched by former manager Hansen – play the politics game.<span> </span>The BTA apparently is more important to TriMet than its riders.<span> </span>The safety of a bicyclist who acts irresponsibly on public streets is more important to TriMet than the over 200,000 dedicated daily bus riders like myself who put their trust in TriMet to provide a safe journey that starts by accessing a bus stop, waiting at a bus stop, riding the bus, and then using and walking away from the destination bus stop.<span> </span>I pay a fare; the BTA and its members do not.<span> </span>I have little choice but to wait at TriMet’s designated bus stop whether or not it is safe (or refuse to ride TriMet and purchase and drive a car); bicyclists have a personal duty to ride their bike safely or risk injury to themselves as a result.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Mr. McFarlane, what are your priorities?<span> </span>Politics – or providing safe transportation?<span> </span>You have better things to do than to criticize your employees for speaking out publicly.<span> </span>A good start would be to start listening to your riders – all 200,000+ bus riders, and 100,000+ MAX riders.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Respectfully,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Erik Halstead</p></span>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-7379706298790775532010-07-14T22:46:00.001-07:002010-07-14T22:48:32.410-07:00WES PROPOSAL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yYQXagxH4Zg/TD6g63PUsvI/AAAAAAAADYU/Cv6sPZ9r-CM/s1600/Capture.PNG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 111px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yYQXagxH4Zg/TD6g63PUsvI/AAAAAAAADYU/Cv6sPZ9r-CM/s400/Capture.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494005528559661810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Al - all these WES substitutions got me thinking, here's a solution that is a sure fire winner for TriMet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">By increasing the schedule from every 30 minutes to every 35 minutes, and tightening up on the outrageous layover times (10 minutes in Beaverton, 26 minutes in Wilsonville!), TriMet can actually reduce costs by eliminating one full trainset (and thus the crew and fuel expense), and run a full rush hour schedule with just TWO trains. And the only loss to riders is up to an extra five minute wait.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Surely, if bus riders can be expected to add 5-10 minutes to cover for bus service cutbacks - WES riders can certainly do the same. This would also eliminate much of the need for shuttle bus trips (since there would always be a spare vehicle), and TriMet would not need to bother with the illegal-to-run Budd RDC cars purchased from the Alaska Railroad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Each train would still have a 7 or 8 minute layover after each run for the required brake test and other needs, which is much more than sufficient. (And that's still generous given the "layover" time bus Operators often get at the end of a run!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">This would also allow TriMet to embargo the double-track at the north end of Wilsonville, saving the track expense that currently is required as the trains pass each other just north of the station; now trains would only pass each other between Tigard and Tualatin. And there is currently a track (the Tigard Yard Lead) which could be modified rather simply (by adding a switch at the north end) to turn it into a passing siding. </span>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-68606747032653219592010-07-10T00:22:00.000-07:002010-07-10T00:25:02.147-07:00RESPONSE TO NEIL MACFARLANE<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/07/trimets_future_ready_and_able.html">ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE</a><br /><br /><div> <a href="http://connect.oregonlive.com/user/sp_redelectric/index.html" title="View profile"> </a><br /><br /><span>July 09, 2010 at 6:49PM</span> </div> <div><a onclick="followPopUp(this, 'SP Red Electric', '8005324');" class="follow">Follow</a></div> <p> </p><p>Mr. McFarlane,</p> <p>I am a daily <b>BUS</b> rider. Sure, on the TriMet surveys, I'm counted as a MAX rider because once a month I might ride a MAX line to downtown or to the zoo from some westside park and ride, but DAILY I am on a bus. Twice, if not more a day.</p> <p>This is what I read.</p> <p><b>record numbers of riders on MAX and WES</b></p> <p>No mention that bus riders are turning away from TriMet and going back to their cars because the bus fleet is old and bus stops are poor.</p> <p><b>safety, expanding service, continuing to work with regional partners to strengthen the system</b></p> <p>Hansen said this too, and he did nothing about the bus system. Your record of a MAX project manager does not bode well for the bus system. What are you plans to improve safety <i>on the bus system</i>, expand service <i>on the bus system</i>, and work with regional partners to strengthen <i>the bus system</i>?</p> <p><b>With lower revenues, most have cut service and raised fares</b></p> <p>MAX service was not cut, and MAX (and Streetcar) riders continue to receive free service downtown. Why do bus riders, who receive a lesser quality of service, pay more for longer waits?</p> <p><b>My goal is to first restore our frequent-service bus lines</b></p> <p>Does that mean that restoring frequent service bus lines, being <b>first</b> will occur even if it means postponing Milwaukie MAX or other MAX projects? You said it is your first priority, so let's see it happen.</p> <p><b>investment in rail has brought $1.3 billion in federal discretionary funding</b></p> <p>While TriMet has intentionally, and purposely, refused bus investment funding. TriMet has one of the oldest, least reliable bus fleets in the nation. Have you been on my 94X bus these last few days in the 95+ degree heat? Were you on vehicle 1430 a month ago when it died in the center left-turn lane on S.W. Barbur, requring an evacuation from the bus while the bus driver simply said "I can't keep you on the bus, but if you get hit by a car it's your own fault!" and the responding supervisor - who drove a full-size, Ford F-150 truck with flashing lights and wearing a safety vest who could have blocked off a lane and helped up across, parked his truck in front of the bus and stood outside the driver's window smoking a cigarette instead of taking care of the 30 passengers on the disabled bus (while another 94X drove right past us without stopping to take on the continuing passengers)?</p> <p><b>it created more transportation alternatives</b></p> <p>While eliminating bus service and leaving some to resort to single-occupant vehicle trips</p> <p><b>reduced fuel consumption</b></p> <p>Because bus trips are being cut and replaced by a light rail train whose "tailpipe" is in Boardman,</p> <p><b>created thousands of family-wage jobs</b></p> <p>How many of those thousands of jobs exist right now, today?</p> <p><b>I invite Dave Lister and others to join me on my frequent bus and MAX rides to experience our great system and to share ideas on how to improve it. </b></p> <p>And I invite you, as I have invited Fred Hansen (who repeatedly turned down my requests) to ride with me on the 94X bus, where we can talk about the "great" system of 20 year old, non-air conditioned buses and to share ideas on what you can do to ensure that when I pay $2.30, I get the same "bang for the buck" that a MAX/WES/Streetcar rider gets. We all pay the same fare, we all deserve the same quality of service. Can you tell me that a bus rider gets the same quality of service as a MAX or WES rider?</p>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-24356453943409247672010-07-05T21:58:00.000-07:002010-07-05T21:59:08.111-07:00Re: Beaverton neighbors oppose Lombard Avenue bike line striping<p style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> It's interesting that in the greater scheme of things, it is the bicyclist community that is upset that ODOT and WSDOT want to build a replacement bridge for the Interstate Bridge, claiming that Olympia and Salem are out-of-touch with the locals who like bicycles - as a result we have a convoluted, large LOCAL process with much deferrence to those in downtown Vancouver, Hayden Island and North Portland as to the design of the bridge.</p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> But, when the bicyclists want a bike lane in someone else's neighborhood (Lombard Avenue) they have no problem crying foul and demanding that the local residents have no right to argue against the negative aspects of the proposal; and that their views (given that it is Beaverton, it's likely that many of the supporters aren't even residents within city limits) are more important as part of the "greater good" than the concerns of locals.</p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> Which is it? If local opinion is important, then why aren't the bicyclists working WITH residents to ensure that there is no loss of parking access; and that pedestrian safety (accessing cars parked on the opposite side of the street) is addressed? What about area lighting, that seems to be an issue as well that would benefit BOTH SIDES!!!</p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> If "the greater good" is more important...then I implore the BTA and other bicycling advocacy groups to stop stonewalling projects like the CRC and let the damn thing get built. So what if it increases traffic - it's for the "greater good", as determined by hundreds of elected officials who manage a federally funded and recognized, bi-state highway that does not belong to either Portland, Vancouver, Multnomah County, Clark County, TriMet or Metro.</p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"> It's arguments like this that make me want to take my bike and throw it in the river. Seriously. I do not want to be associated with these loonies who have no respect for other people and the process. I enjoy having bike paths but like anything in life there are winners and losers - how do we get it to happen without losers?</p>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-47770260490620449342010-06-25T02:07:00.000-07:002010-06-25T02:08:15.865-07:00Here’s a way for TriMet to save bucks<p class="comment_text">It should actually be noted that Portland has one of the weakest vanpool/carpool systems anywhere. Part of that likely has to do with the (one-time) extensive transit system that Portland boasted of, where buses could take you from anywhere, to anywhere, most any time of day.</p><br /><p class="comment_text">Seattle, in comparison, has a fleet of nearly 1500 minivans, owned by King County Metro, in a vanpool system. Metro's Vanpool website lists just a handful of privately owned vans that Metro subsidizes. (In fact, TriMet used to run the program until a few years ago when Metro took it over - citing TriMet's lack of management and marketing of the service.)</p><br /><p class="comment_text">But bringing "vanpool" to "buspool" is a bigger fish - not just anyone can drive a 40' TriMet bus. They do require a Class B CDL (which not everyone has); where are the vehicles parked, fueled, serviced and maintained? Do we sell off the bus fleet and have companies like VPSI and Enterprise manage the bus fleet? Or do we still have the hundreds of union maintenance employees? What about bus stops - who maintains them? While Oregon law guarantees the right of TriMet to place bus stops on public right-of-ways, does a private buspool provider have the same right? If not, then individual agreements would have to be made with property owners. What about transit centers?</p><br /><p class="comment_text">That's just the mechanics...now let's talk about the bus drivers. Sure, a few of them are snotty and have no business driving a bus. I'm sure that Pamplin Media also has a few "rotten apples" on its payroll. But the majority of TriMet drivers are pleasant and friendly and just go about their job. A few bad apples is not enough reason to fire some 1500 hard working drivers.</p><br /><p class="comment_text">Think about the societal impact: 1500 people, suddenly out of work. No income. Strains on unemployment. Food stamps. It's not as though these drivers will easily find other driving jobs; there is a massive surplus of truck drivers, and a shortage of truck driving jobs. Greyhound isn't exactly hiring (especially given that ODOT/WSDOT/Amtrak are opening competing with Greyhound with a tax exempt operation called Amtrak Cascades, and undercutting Greyhound's fares while collecting taxpayer subsidies to operate it). Can the Portland area absorb 1500 newly unemployed workers?</p><br /><p class="comment_text">I agree that looking at TriMet's benefits package is worthwhile, but I don't have the facts to call it "extraorbinate". TriMet, under the so-called "leadership" of Fred Hansen, has done nothing to even try to defend its labor practices; in fact he has already declared open warfare on the bus system. How does TriMet's benefits stack up with other, comparable transit systems? Is what a TriMet driver gets comparable to a Metro driver in Seattle, or a Muni driver in San Francisco, or a UTA driver in Salt Lake City, or a Metro driver in Houston? Are the insurance costs, and benefits, comparable? It may just be that there is a cost to operate a transit system, and unfortunately the risk taken by a transit driver is much greater than a paper pusher at Metro or Portland's City Hall whose biggest risk is a paper cut or spilling hot coffee. TriMet drivers are outside, for eight plus hours a day, in un-air conditioned buses, at risk of vehicle wrecks and unruly, assualtive passengers. Insurance is based on risk; the greater the risk, the higher the cost. That's not a hard concept to see; yet so many people ignore it.</p><br /><p class="comment_text">Let's do an honest review of TriMet's benefits package. If compared to other transit agencies that TriMet is offering too much - don't go after the drivers. It's not their fault. Go after Fred Hansen, the outgoing General Manager who approved it. (And while we're at it, let's go after him for approving the Green Line MAX, WES, millions in MAX upgrades, disinvesting in the bus system, the fuel hedge from hell, and other financial problems under his leadership.)</p> <h4 class="comment_name"><br /></h4>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-65875736615354805702010-06-12T16:45:00.001-07:002010-06-12T16:45:58.248-07:00ON BLIND SPOTS AND THE HORROR CRASH<p>I've read all of the comments and I don't see ANYWHERE where anyone is accusing the pedestrians who were injured or killed for being at fault, or responsible.</p> <p>What I do see is questions as to whether Ms. Day was fully at-fault, and as Hansen stated, violated multiple TriMet policies - or whether she was following procedures that were standard operating procedure and commonly followed, which contributed to the incident. And I am with Al M. - if TriMet policy, or any other factor, contributed to the collision, there should be every expectation that those policies and factors be reviewed so that a similar incident can be prevented in the future.</p> <p>It is a fact that every bus (and in fact, most every vehicle) has blind spots. Heck, my car does, and admittedly there have been a few times where I was at a certain intersection and could not see a stopped vehicle on the cross street at a four-way stop because of the size of the other vehicle, the size of the A-pillar of my windshield, and the angle of the intersection (and I know that at that particular intersection I approach, and proceed through it, very differently as a result).</p> <p>It's a known fact that the fareboxes on certain TriMet buses create a blind spot.</p> <p>It's a known fact that TriMet uses a mirror on its New Flyer D40LF (2000, 2200-2900 series buses) that is attached at the bottom and can create a blind spot for some drivers; there are other transit agencies that attach the mirror at the top, above the driver's window, which could potentially eliminate or reduce the size of the blind spot.</p> <p>Yes, Ms. Day certainly made mistakes, that is without question. But there are certainly other factors involved that contributed to it. It's as if someone wants to say that a given collision was caused by "speeding"...no, speeding does not in and of itself cause a collision. (Else every NASCAR race would end in exactly one half of a lap because the cars simply went too fast.) But speeding is certainly a contributing factor to many collisions.</p>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-76207779504636069052010-05-21T23:19:00.001-07:002010-05-21T23:19:34.582-07:00ON JOE ROSE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(68, 78, 92); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Who am I going to listen to...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Bus drivers, who drive TriMet buses day in and day out, and who are repeatedly ignored by management when they bring up legitimate safety concerns...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">or a reporter who has had five minutes experience behind the wheel of a TriMet bus, who has repeatedly demonstrated an anti-bus bias, whose reporting clearly shows an ignorance towards bus riders issues with the transit system; who frequently lauds TriMet and its management on pro-rail issues, and who ignored the fact that the issue of the mirrors and the blind spot WERE in the D.A.'s report and mentioned as a contributing (albeit minor) mitigating factor, and which could very well have led to the decision by the Grand Jury not to indict Ms. Day (even if she said the mirror did not pose a problem, it was still in the report as creating a blind spot).</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Talk about an opinion piece. This shouldn't be in Metro, it should be in...well...the Editorial section.</p><div><br /></div></span>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-31435330406886045922010-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:002010-05-18T14:42:25.729-07:00BUS MIRRORS<a href="http://media.katu.com/images/C-Tran_early_morning_commuters_board_hybrid_bus.gif" target="_blank">http://media.katu.com/images/<wbr>C-Tran_early_morning_<wbr>commuters_board_hybrid_bus.gif</a><br /><br />A couple days ago while walking to work I saw one of these C-Tran hybrid buses driving past me and noticed the windshield design, with the corner post window as well as the single-piece windshield that doesn't have the center post.<br /><br />Here's a picture of the driver's side:<br /><br />(40' variants)<br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2008brt40/070509-9844ctran2280.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2008brt40/070509-<wbr>9844ctran2280.jpg</a><br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2008brt40/070509-9845ctran2280.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2008brt40/070509-<wbr>9845ctran2280.jpg</a><br /><br />(35' variants)<br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2008brt35/070509-9894ctran2269.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2008brt35/070509-<wbr>9894ctran2269.jpg</a><br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2008brt35/070509-9893ctran2269.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2008brt35/070509-<wbr>9893ctran2269.jpg</a><br /><br />(29' variant)<br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2008brt29/070509-9853ctran2262.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2008brt29/070509-<wbr>9853ctran2262.jpg</a><br /><br />Notice that the mirror is attached to the body from above, not below the driver, so a shorter driver can simply look below the mirror. The corner post appears to be smaller than a D40LF, and that corner window is also there.<br /><br />C-Tran also has a smaller bus called the Opus (manufactured by Optima Bus, now a component of NABI bus).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/washington/ctran/2004optima/070509-9851ctran2253.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdrawings.com/<wbr>Transit/washington/ctran/<wbr>2004optima/070509-<wbr>9851ctran2253.jpg</a><br /><br />Same mirror design, but I can't tell from that corner post if there's a window there or not. Like the Gillig Hybrid, it also has a one-piece windshield without a center post.<br /><br />Compared with a TriMet D40LFR:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.newflyer.com/pix/News%20Center/Bus%20Pictures/LFR/lfr_trimet.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.newflyer.com/pix/<wbr>News%20Center/Bus%20Pictures/<wbr>LFR/lfr_trimet.jpg</a><br /><br />Mirror attaches below the driver, large corner post, center post (although on the 2900s the post is much smaller than the older versions)<br /><br />And for kicks:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.barp.ca/bus/usa/images/tri737.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.barp.ca/bus/usa/<wbr>images/tri737.jpg</a><br /><br />Mirror attaches much higher than on the New Flyers so Operators can look below the mirror; windshield slightly wraps around to the side of the vehicle, smaller corner post.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.busdude.com/TM/TM_2559_2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.busdude.com/TM/TM_<wbr>2559_2.jpg</a><br /><br />Mirror just below driver's eyes; driver sits higher on these vehicles and is looking down at the mirror, larger corner post than other vehicles (but not a Gillig Phantom - they have pretty large corner posts); large center post.<br /><br /><br />Just something to chew on and discuss with Dan. And make "eastcomom" have a tissy fit because she can't for the life of her understand that there are mitigating factors, as Dan has clearly demonstrated, and as the above pictures show, there are better designs than what TriMet uses on half of their buses.Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-38794607428725019412010-05-13T21:24:00.000-07:002010-05-13T21:39:23.679-07:00IN HONOR OF FRED HANSEN'S TRIMET<p><b>Whereas, after serving at the helm of TriMet for 11 ½ years, General Manager Fred Hansen has left an enduring legacy for the agency, the City of Portland and the region; and</b></p> <p>Whereas, Fred Hansen created a culture of a caste system of "haves" (light rail/Streetcar/WES riders) and "have nots" (bus riders), whereas Hansen has devoted himself to catering to developers at the expense of dedicated, long time riders...<br /><br /><b>Whereas, during his tenure, transit ridership has surpassed more than 101 million rides a year as the transit system has grown and is now 7th per capita in the nation; and </b></p> <p>Whereas, transit ridership today is a lower percentage of trips taken as a whole in the Metro region (meaning transit ridership has not kept up with population growth)<br /><br /><b>Whereas, TriMet opened the region’s first commuter rail line and three light rail lines, and is well along the way in the planning and design of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project; and</b><br /><br />"the region's first commuter rail line" - a planned joke that the Federal Government didn't find cost effective, that has sucked over $160 million dollars, has directly contributed to the loss of many bus service hours, resulted in the bailout of a company with little track record, whose ridership is abysmal and has no signs of improving</p> <p><b>Whereas, TriMet grew from four to 16 Frequent Service Bus Lines; and</b></p> <p>And none of those "Frequent Service" bus lines exist as "frequent service" (meaning buses show up every 15 minutes or less, all day, every day) - many of these bus lines don't even have 15 minute service during rush hour,<br /><br /><b>Whereas, TriMet developed the award-winning Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, significantly expanding inclusive contracting and workforce diversity; and</b></p> <p><b>Whereas, sustainable transit operations and construction practices became a guiding principle of the agency; and</b></p> <p>Yet TriMet is the largest transit agency to eschew environmentally friendly, high capacity buses<br /><br /><b>Whereas, TriMet dramatically improved the customer experience with new signage, better buses TransitTracker and an award-winning website; and</b></p> <p>The new signage has not improved the customer experience, and in fact TriMet stopped installing schedules at bus stops and even went so far as to REMOVE schedules from bus stops; I'd sure like to know what these "better buses" are because they don't exist at TriMet; Transit Tracker does not exist at all but a few bus stops.<br /><br /><b>Whereas, during his tenure, the agency has built strong and effective partnerships with the City of Portland, other city and regional governments, and the community; and</b><br /><br />...for those communities who bought into TriMet's light rail demands; and for those cities who eschewed light rail, TriMet effectively shut out from all service upgrades and planning,</p> <p><b>Whereas, the region has gained national distinction for creating livable communities;</b><br /><br />Which has nothing to do with TriMet,</p> <p><b>Now, therefore, I, Sam Adams, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 12, 2010 to be Fred Hansen Day in Portland, and invite all residents to join in honoring the work of Fred Hansen.</b></p> <p>Yes, Sam. Ride the bus with me. Yes, a TriMet bus. And let's honor the work of Fred Hansen, together, on one of TriMet's oldest 1400 series buses in the 80+ degree heat tomorrow, with 50 other bus riders (hint: there aren't 50 seats on the bus), and let's hope the bus doesn't break down. When we get to our stop, let's hope that there is a sidewalk we can get off the bus at, and a crosswalk to allow us to safely cross the street. Let's hope that we have a Transit Tracker sign or a schedule to tell us when the bus might show up, and that the bus actually shows up on time, and doesn't pass us up for being at crush load.</p> <p>This proclamation clearly shows Sam Adams is so out of touch with the bus riders (two-thirds of TriMet's ridership) that once again he is only catering to his special interest group rather than Average Citizen.</p>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-37388732594668229272010-04-30T09:51:00.001-07:002010-04-30T09:51:37.291-07:00TRIMET BUS DRIVERS<div> <div><i>They are obstinate, unfriendly and generally disengaged. Tri-Met drivers intentionally jerk the bus forward or slam on the brakes when a passenger stands up to prepard for their stops. you can see them galnce in the mirror and smirk.</i></div> <div><em></em> </div> <div>I've had my share of bad TriMet operators and a few I have had to complain about, but as a daily TriMet rider for many years Operators are generally at the bottom of my complaint pile.</div> <div> </div> <div>If a driver looks up in their mirror after a hard stop it's probably because some idiot pulled out in front of the bus and they can't stop in time, so they're making sure nobody fell over. I know many Operators who intentionally will run the bus SLOWER if there are a lot of standees - for the safety of the riders (this is a TriMet problem not acquiring the proper buses for the load or running the appropriate number of buses.) I can't say I have had an Operator who intentionally jerked the bus (I've had a few rough drivers but that's more a training issue) and I know many bus drivers who run their bus like it's full of eggs and glass.</div> <div> </div> <div>Sure, some drivers don't say "hi" and greet you with a huge smile. It'd be nice, because I know many TriMet drivers do make my day when I get on the bus, and even those who are having a lousy day - I try to thank them because they may have had an unreasonable passenger earlier, or problems with the bus, or dispatchers and supervisors that make their lives miserable. I know one Operator who demanded a clearly unruly passenger be removed from her bus by a Supervisor and the Supervisor came down on the Operator. How do you think you would respond if your Supervisor comes down on you and second-guesses you, but then doesn't bother to help you when you need it? I've seen many Operators literally stranded for hours when their buses break, and there's nothing they can do but wait for the tow rig..</div> <div>.</div> <div>Being a TriMet driver takes a lot of nerve. Are there a few bad apples? You bet, and there are bad apples at MY work too (No, I don't work for TriMet.) But the majority of TriMet drivers work under a lot of pressure from the public and their bosses, dealing with less than desirable tools and equipment, and they're just trying to get you where you need to go. Sometimes TriMet drivers are forced onto routes that they aren't familiar with in parts of town they've never been to, and I've helped a good number of fellow passengers get to where they need to go. I don't blame the driver, they probably had ONE familiarization run (if that) and lately all that involves is riding a revenue bus on the route before they start driving the run, instead of driving the route several times as practice beforehand.</div></div>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-49131756897451573852010-04-25T20:15:00.001-07:002010-04-25T20:15:40.323-07:00TRAFFIC LAWS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(68, 78, 92); line-height: 15px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I might suggest that YOU brush up and re-read your Oregon Driver's Manual, because you are so wrong, on so many places.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Here's a link for you:<a href="http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "></a><a href="http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "></a><a href="http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "></a><a href="http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "></a><a href="http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf</a></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Let's see:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><i style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Peds always have the Right of Way in downtown Portland</i></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">No, they don't. In fact, if you had read the Oregon Driver's Manual, you'll see:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">1. No where is "Downtown Portland" mentioned. Downtown Portland does not have its own set of traffic laws; the traffic laws in Oregon apply uniformly whether you're in downtown Portland, or on U.S. 95 north of McDermott.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">2. Let's look at page 45 of the Oregon Driver's Manual. It says:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"<b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The right of way law does not give anyone the right of way; it only says who must yield.</b> Stop signs, yield signs, and traffic signals control traffic at busy intersections. They tell drivers who may go without stopping or who must stop and yield right of way to other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians."</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Let's see what else the Oregon Driver's Manual has to say about drivers and pedestrians:</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"Remember, if you are making a left or right turn, you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Pedestrians facing a green light may cross the street in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, unless directed by other signs or a pedestrian signal." (page 25)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"These are special stop and go signals for pedestrians. When used, pedestrians must obey these signals rather than red-yellow-green traffic lights. Pedestrians facing a WALK or walking person signal (white) may legally start to cross the street. If a DON’T WALK or raised hand signal (orange) is flashing or showing, pedestrians may not start to cross the intersection. Pedestrians in the crosswalk when the DON’T WALK or raised hand signal begins flashing should continue crossing the street." (page 26)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"Crosswalk - noted by white lines that outline an area where pedestrians cross the roadway. Drive with caution and be ready to stop when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. Remember that every corner is a crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked (see Pedestrians, Pages 77-78)." (page 30)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"Generally, pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not marked by painted lines." (page 77)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"You must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) when the pedestrian is:<br /></p><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">In the lane in which your vehicle is traveling;<br />In a lane next to the lane in which your vehicle is traveling;<br />In the lane into which your vehicle is turning;<br />In a lane adjacent to the lane into which your vehicle is turning, if you<br />are making a turn at an intersection that does not have a traffic signal;<br />Less than six feet from the lane into which your vehicle is turning, if<br />you are making a turn at an intersection that has a traffic signal; or<br />In a school crosswalk where there is a traffic patrol member and the<br />traffic patrol member signals you to stop.</li><br />You are not required to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk if you are<br />traveling along the half of the roadway on the other side of a safety island from the pedestrian." (pages 77-78)<p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">"Although drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians<br />must not suddenly leave a curb or other safe waiting place and walk<br />into the path of a vehicle if it is so close that it is an immediate hazard.<br />Vehicles cannot stop instantly." (page 79)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">2. <i style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The speed lkimit in downtown is 25 mph for that very reason.</i></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Wrong again. In a business district (of which all of downtown Portland is considered) the speed limit is 20. Not 25, 20. 25 is the speed limit in residential neighborhoods, parks, and ocean beaches. (See page 34.)</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">3. <i style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I would be held responsible by virtue of my failure to maintain control of the vehicle, failing to observe basic rule - Right of Way.</i></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I can't believe you don't even know what the Basic Rule is. The Basic Rule has <b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">NOTHING</b> to do with right-of-way.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Page 33 of the Driver's Manual states: "The basic rule states <b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">you must drive as a speed that is reasonable and cautious for existing conditions.</b>" This is codified in ORS 811.100, 811.105, 811.106 and 811.108. The Basic Rule covers <b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">speed</b>, not <b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">right-of-way</b>. However, if you are driving in an area with a large number of pedestrians, you could be held in violation of the Basic Rule if you are driving at a speed that puts those pedestrians at risk, even if you are not exceeding the posted speed limit.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">4. <i style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">It is always the rule that MV's must yield to Peds, except on a freeway perhaps.</i></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Wrong again. See pages 77 and 78 of your friendly Oregon Driver's Manual that states where you must yield to a pedestrian. And page 79 clearly states that a pedestrian must not suddenly leave a curb or safe waiting place into the path of a vehicle and create a hazard. That's codified in ORS 811.025 and 811.028.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><i style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">That rule hasn't changed in the 30 years since I first took the DMV's knowledge test.</i></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 16px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Well, it looks like in the 30 years since you last took the DMV test, you either forgot some things, or are simply ignorant. I suggest you visit your local friendly DMV office and re-take the test, or visit the DMV's website at<a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/testknow.shtml#Practice_Tests" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "></a><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/testknow.shtml#Practice_Tests" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(12, 71, 144) !important; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/testknow.shtml#Practice_Tests</a> and take one of the several on-line practice tests available to you.</p><div><br /></div></span>Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789958316618724565.post-67435569507888118772010-04-18T09:24:00.001-07:002010-04-18T09:24:47.082-07:00APRIL 18Actually, that's not a bad idea, and in fact TriMet (along with SMART and Cherriots) could go a step further:<br /><br />1. Create a Portland-Salem express bus, likely by using RAZ Transportation or another company that has intercity (Greyhound like) buses. This new bus route would take the place of the current 1X and 2X Smart/Cherriots buses AND TriMet's 96, and provide service from Salem to Wilsonville, as well as Tualatin (the Park & Ride, not the WES station) and Barbur Boulevard TC and the Portland Transit Mall.) In addition, Woodburn would also participate and get a stop.<br /><br />(This route would be contracted out for several reasons: 1. It crosses through three different transit agency jurisdictions. 2. WES is contracted out. 3. None of the agencies have a suitable vehicle for the route.)<br /><br />2. TriMet would then institute a 76E route during rush hours from Tualatin to Beaverton. The 76E would only stop at Beaverton TC, Nimbus, Washington Square, Tigard TC, Tualatin P&R, Tualatin City Hall and Meridian Park Hospital. (This bus would essentially replace the 96, along with a new local Tualatin route that would provide local, all-day service from the Tualatin P&R along Boones Ferry Road, and another route that would provide west-east service between Tualatin and Sherwood.)Al Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670275801784105978noreply@blogger.com1