RANTINGS OF A FORMER TRIMET BUS DRIVER: May 13, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

I believe the light-rail system is beneficial in several ways. It helps the environment by getting some cars off the road. It helps relieve traffic congestion and is convenient for people to use. That's all good stuff. But is now the right time to implement such a huge and costly ($1.5 billion) project with government agencies and schools claiming multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls?

I hope the next time TriMet decides to put in a new light-rail line it doesn't end up going through your yard, because if you are in its path, you will have absolutely no say in the matter. I would prefer they go away and leave me alone, but that's not going to happen.
The MAX line to Milwaukie uproots my neighborhood | Oregon Live

Working Together - Not Against, In Salem

Unfortunately for the workers, the first thing these transit managers want to do is cut employee wages and benefits because it's an easy fix. They continue to operate the same level of service that taxpayers won’t fund, they keep the same size work force to operate the service that taxpayers refused to fund, and they accomplish this by cutting employee wages and benefits by 20-30 percent.

http://transitworkersvoice.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/working-together-not-against-in-salem/

GOODBYE SUBSIDIZED TRANSIT PASSES

http://portlandafoot.org/2011/05/gop-state-rep-state-subsidized-trimet-passes-going-to-go-away/

FULL BROOKINGS REPORT

Missed Opportunity: 100 Metropolitan Profiles - Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metropolitan America - Brookings Institution

Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs Index - Metropolitan Policy Program - Brookings Institution

Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metro America - Brookings Institution

TriMet’s McFarlane Seeks to Gag TriMet Employees

In violation of Oregon law and without notice to the Union, McFarlane seeks to severely limit media access to any TriMet-related information. Employees are instructed never to talk to the media about TriMet and McFarlane appears to be threatening them if they blog or comment about TriMet related matters – even employees on their own time and using their own equipment.

http://transitworkersvoice.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/trimets-mcfarlane-seeks-to-gag-trimet-employees/

TWITTERS

Oops #WES just ran over an abandoned razor scooter. Moving again though #trimet

Firefighters on scene of US 26 eastbound near Jefferson exit TriMet bus moved onto the shoulder; injuries unknown - http://bit.ly/bLNZrW

hwyr08j1:UPDPG CRASH: US 26 EB WEST OF JEFFERSON. TRIMET BUS INVOLVED. UNK IF… http://goo.gl/fb/O2EwP #pdxtraffic

I'm always amused by the #Trimet 17 announcing "MAX Station, transfer to MAX". Reminds me of Tesco's "Contains milk" label on milk jugs.

Welfare Check - Trimet Bus 52, subject should be on bus headed towards 185th x Rosa (I think this is the person that is high on something)

@j_h_carpenter J Hardy Carpenter

I can't stand new Tri-Met bus drivers. They drive hella slow and cause me to miss my train now I am late.... FUCK!!!!!