of interest to PDX cyclists

[Dogbait]

If you are a cyclist in the Portland, OR metro area and have had some contact with the Tri-Met complaint system, there is a journalist at the Oregonian who would like to hear from you. Go ahead, get your name in the paper.... give your parakeet something topical to read.

DETAILS HERE (http://bikeportland.org/2006/02/09/journalist-wants-trimet-feedback/)

Dogbait

[Dogbait]

...... there is a journalist at the Oregonian who would like to hear from you. ........

DETAILS HERE (http://bikeportland.org/2006/02/09/journalist-wants-trimet-feedback/)

Dogbait

The result was a front page story in the OREGONIAN on Sunday Feb. 19, 2006

FRONT PAGE STORY (http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/11401600355030.xml&coll=7)

Dogbait

[BroMax]

I'd like to know who the "many" are who "saw the passenger [who committed assault] as a hero."

It's hardly surprising that Tri-Mets rate of complaints is in decline. What's the point if Tri-Met is only going to pay lip service, probably with a form letter telling the passenger how much they value their customers' input--the usual line that almost every company uses.

So did Albright (the guy who got beat up) get any satisfaction? Did his assailant face any consequences? I've never had an unpleasant encounter with a Tri-Met operator and I've seen only mild examples of unacceptable passenger relations or questionable driving practices a few times. The buses and electric cars make the city much more liveable and convenient. If TriMet could just rid themselves of the problem drivers, or assign them to some other work it would improve the system. Couldn't management and the union approach this one issue in a collaborative rather than adverserial manner?

What I have learnt from this article is that if I'm a victim of a crime in which Tri-Met bears responsibility, I will take it to the law (and The Oregonian) before I'd consider going directly to Tri-Met.

Maybe it would relieve the drivers if they did not also have to be the conductors, collecting fares and checking passes and transfers. The Max lines use the honor system with random fare checks, and the car operators are in a separate compartment. This seems like a safer working environment, less conducive to driver stress. Why can't TriMet do the same on the bus lines...or hire conductors? Wouldn't that be a great "community service" sentence for a petty offender from some white collar white tower?

The buses on Whidbey Island Washington have no fare system at all. The authority that operates the buses says that fare boxes are a negative income proposition, i.e. they cost more than they generate when every aspect of the operation is taken into account.

[hester]

i'm thinking that using a conductor is a fabulous idea. the driver focuses on the road, the conductor on the passengers. it's the buddy system in action!

it would also possibly lower crime and assault against drivers and maybe even offer a checks and balance between driver and passenger. it's harder to be rude or agressive if there is someone who can provide another side of the story.

unless you follow up time and time again you will have trouble getting anything resolved. reminds me of a time here in LA where the driver was obviously in a hurry and running late... i knew this because i had been waiting a while and the next bus came 3 minutes after the offending driver left... the driver pulled up 5 feet passed the stop so he wouldn't have to wait around for a blind man to get up on it. as i waited with a hand on the door for the man to find his way, the driver closed the door and pulled away, allowing me to fall into the gutter (as i was leaning on the bus at the time) and nearly under the wheels. thirty minutes later i was describing the story on the phone to the metro folks without any information other than the line #, the street and the approximated time, promised a return call with resolution... and nothing! they even refused to give the drivers name, his supervisors name, or a direct number to follow up.

such is life.

[Brian Ratliff]

...would result in twice as many bus employees, and thus, more expense. I'm sure that most bus drivers would like to have a conductor to deal with the passengers as well, but there is not enough money; and even if there was, that money could be used more efficiently by giving PDX'ers more buses and more bus routes.

[BroMax]

...would result in twice as many bus employees, and thus, more expense. I'm sure that most bus drivers would like to have a conductor to deal with the passengers as well, but there is not enough money; and even if there was, that money could be used more efficiently by giving PDX'ers more buses and more bus routes.

I recognize it would cost more to hire conductors and there are always compromises, even in matters where money vs. safety. On the electric lines (Max and the Streetcar), the operator does not serve as the conductor and there is nobody on board to check fares, except when the transit police board for random checks. If it works on those lines, why not also on the bus lines?

[DaemonLee]

[snip]
The buses on Whidbey Island Washington have no fare system at all. The authority that operates the buses says that fare boxes are a negative income proposition, i.e. they cost more than they generate when every aspect of the operation is taken into account.

Just if anyone is curious, the way that Whidbey Island Transit (Island Transit) makes money is via Property Tax (so everyone pays, even those that do not ride) and the Federal/State Money already given to them. Plus, they are the NICEST drivers, I've ever seen.