Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
LETTERS
TriMet is now announcing its second set of service cut-backs in as many weeks ("TriMet weighs schedule changes," June 11).
This from an outfit that blew $5.5 million on that railcar fiasco in Colorado and is now planning to spend $1.4 billion for a light-rail line to Milwaukie.
For that amount, it could almost double bus service in the tri-county area with clean buses. Maybe TriMet should get its priorities straight.
ED ZUMWALT
Milwaukie
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
"Christianity’s Resurrection From Conservative Decline"
-- For nearly a quarter-century, Christianity in the United States has been defined by a very conservative strain of evangelical Christianity that, over time, became highly politicized and closely allied with a single political party. Over the same period, the number of American Christians has diminished.
GRAFT
-- In the last decade, the financial industry’s $5 billion investment in campaign contributions and lobbyists resulted in deregulation and boatloads of free money. By Bloomberg News’ account, $12.8 trillion worth of taxpayer loans, grants and guarantees—all to Wall Street.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
STEVE BANTA MAKES WANTS EMPLOYEE SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT ROUND OF CUTS!
I have some suggestions and will compile a video presentation that I will send directly to him and post here.
Last month the TriMet board approved the proposed service cuts for September. This approval followed an exhaustive process of getting feedback from riders and employees to refine the proposal that was ultimately put forward.
Some employees provided their feedback in writing, while others spoke in person with managers or service planning staff in report areas. I am certain that we would not have been able to make the strategic decisions that we did without the input of the employees who contributed ideas.
In the end, almost three quarters of the suggestions made by employees made it into the final proposal, a fact that underscores the importance of asking those who provide the service what their thoughts are about the service.
I previously mentioned that we had expected to have a better sense of our ongoing financial situation when payroll tax receipts begin to arrive last month. As you may have read in the Oregonian this morning, additional cuts for the November 29 service change will be necessary. This next round of service cuts will be less severe than those we just implemented for September, as there will not be any additional eliminations of bus lines. Rather, we are looking at making relatively minor adjustments to headways on high-frequency lines during off-peak times.
As with the last round of cuts, we will be looking for employee feedback on the proposal when it is ready. Your input is always valued, and is a critical part of making the right decisions.
GIL WHITFIELD GETS SETTLEMENT FROM POLICE...NOT TRIMET
THIS IS THE CORRECTED OREGONIAN PICTURE FOR THIS STORY
JOSEPH ROSE ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE
Oregonian reporter Joseph Rose decides to come on down to BTC to ride and have a frank, open discussion about the job of a transit bus driver.
margu43542,
You bet. Let's do it Wednesday. Shoot me an e-mail so that we can work things out for the ride.
Thanks for the invite.
Cheers,
JR
Post a comment-----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
TRANSIT SLEUTH
http://adronbhall.com/blogs/my_transportation_obsession/post/2009/06/05/Your-Total-TriMet-Cost.aspx
http://adronbhall.com/blogs/my_transportation_obsession/post/2009/06/04/WES-Fail-Take-2.aspx
http://adronbhall.com/blogs/my_transportation_obsession/post/2009/05/31/Luggage-Luggage-and-Stuff.aspx
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
MALL BULLETIN
Rail training under way
After a one-week break, rail operators have resumed training on the Mall. Most of their trips take place after noon. All Mall users, including bus operators, should be prepared to see a train at any time. Bus and rail supervisors are present to assist and answer your questions. As always, safety is our priority.
† Be prepared to stop when following a train. Follow trains no closer that 40 feet or one bus length.
† Signals are set to allow enough time for one bus to follow a train through an intersection. When a train is present, the pedestrian countdown signal may go to zero, but the signal system is designed to give one bus enough time to get through the intersection.
† If a train is stopped at NW Couch station, pass it by merging into the auto lane before Davis. Merge back into the transitway between Couch and Burnside.
Mechanical tie-up?
} If possible, secure bus in the rear of the nearest service lane.
} Place a safety triangle at the right rear corner of the bus.
} Open the tailgate if it is safe to do so.
Bicycles on your left
Users of the auto lane, including bicyclists, may be surprised to see buses crossing the double white line rumble strip. When moving into the auto lane, be especially aware of bicyclists who are still learning to expect these moves from buses on the new Mall.
Make road reliefs from position 4
Protect bus tires and steering
A tire distance of six inches from the curb is ideal. Buses on the Mall have plenty of room to avoid the dynamic envelope without rubbing the curb.
Boarding: Bus must serve 1st position. Deboarding: OK in any position.
OK to board at 2nd position.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
ERIK GIVES THE FRED CLUB PRESIDENT A CHALLENGE
TriMet Board President George Passadore wrote in his letter to the editor, "We are extremely proud of [general manager Fred Hansen's] leadership in making TriMet's light-rail system a model, not only in this country but around the world" (June 1).
Mr. Passadore, is TriMet's bus system also a model in this country and around the world?
Lest you forget, two out of three TriMet riders are on the bus. Despite the publicity given to the light-rail system, TriMet's dedicated bus riders often suffer on buses that lack air conditioning, or have broken wheelchair lifts. They wait at bus stops that are not ADA accessible or which lack adequate shelter from the rain.
Buses break down frequently or are too full to accommodate more riders. Also, the planned service cuts will affect bus riders disproportionately compared with MAX riders.
Is it acceptable to let Hansen leave TriMet's bus service in this state while taking a paid vacation?
It seems to me that Hansen has a lot of work to do right here in Portland. May I suggest you take some time out of your busy schedule to see what I see twice (or more) a day, five days (or more) a week as I ride TriMet's bus system?
ERIK HALSTEAD
Tigard
