OpEd | State | TriMet angers many, requires oversight

Photo credit: KGW.com

Did you know that TriMet fares are now among the highest in the nation (Gianola, 2013)? That’s right, a monthly adult TriMet pass is $100, while in Philadelphia, its $83, $72 in Los Angeles and just $70 in Boston (Gianola, 2013). Yet all three cities have operation far more extensive than Portland’s. So why does public transit cost so much in Portland? TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane wants you to blame the recession and the high cost of TriMet’s union health benefits (Gianola, 2013). He hoped you wouldn’t find out about the $910,000 in pay raises he approved for the highest echelon of TriMet management in 2012, even as he publicly stated that he had frozen their pay (Rose, 2013). “How could this happen right under our noses?” you may ask. This was able to happen because no one was watching. While TriMet management increased fairs, cut service, and gave themselves raises, no one was paying attention. To ensure this can’t happen again, Oregon lawmakers have called on Secretary of State Kate Brown to conduct an unprecedented audit of operations and finances at the state's largest public transit agency (Rose J. , 2013).

Vice-chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development, Rep. Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale) is the chief sponsor of the proposal, an amendment to his House Bill 3316. HB3316 was intended to regulate TriMet’s governance, transferring operational and finical oversight from TriMet’s board of directors to Metro (Staff, 2013). However, Gorsek simultaneously realized he didn’t have wide support for restructuring and became aware of major management issues at TriMet. He took the opportunity to push for a large scale audit instead (Rose J. , 2013). While the audit will possibly take longer than the original plan - Brown's office plans to have the audit finished before the 2014 legislative session (Thompson, 2013) – it ensures a much more thorough understanding  of exactly what is going on inside the transit agency and why. This is an extremely prudent step, prior to taking any major action which could have unforeseen repercussions. While it’s obvious that things need to change inside TriMet, I believe it’s worth taking the time to do it right.

Op-Ed: East Portland Bus Stops Deserve Attention

Inequity manifests itself in many ways within the City of Portland. In a city that prides itself on its progressive policies and green transportation options, the disparities in TriMet’s bus stop accommodations are inexcusable. The contrast between the built environment and amenities at bus stops in Central Portland versus East Portland is abhorrent and needs to change. I implore TriMet to prioritize improvements to the “top three” worst bus stops, as identified by OPAL’s (Organizing People, Activating Leaders) East Portland Bus Project.

Cool Real-Time TriMet Transit Map

Hi Everyone, check out this really cool real-time TriMet transit map I found recently. You can follow bus lines, MAX lines, and the Streetcar. I thought it was appropriate since we are discussing transit in class today:

http://www.pdxlivebus.com/

Absenteeism and Overtime Pay in Trimet

       Trimet has recently made the news for its problematic overtime policy for bus and rail operators.  Revelations show a lack of regulation at both the State level and within Trimet itself.  Current Trimet rules state that light rail operators are required to take seven hours off between shifts, operators can’t work more than 17 hours during a 24 hour period, and that after 13 straight days of working, bus and rail operators are required to take the next day off.  A recent article reported that a single Trimet bus driver earned upwards of $116,624 in 2012, with $64,408 of that being overtime pay.  Apparently working 70 hours a week for fifty-two weeks straight is a lucrative decision.  Or is it?

Recent News: Reviewing TriMet’s New Ticketing System

Reviewing TriMet’s New Ticketing System
by Josh Capps
 
             If you’ve ridden a TriMet bus, chances are you received your pass on flimsy sheets of newsprint with a multitude of punched holes and cryptic codes. The printed pass has been TriMet’s ticketing system for decades. However, this year TriMet is upgrading their system to, “produce studier, more legible two-hour tickets and day passes.”[1] Currently in the testing phase, TriMet is analyzing the new fare collection system and barring any serious glitches, plans to upgrade their entire fleet by July 1st at a cost of $1.5 million.