- After a visit to Seattles Metro is has become crystal clear just how far behind TRIMET has fallen in the world of transit.
- At metro, all the call stops are automated.
- The driver can use the BDS to make specialized announcements like "please move back".
- There are no pouches to deal with.
- There is virtually no punching transfers, and if you do need the punch it's attached to the fare box so drivers can't lose them and then get charged for losing it.
- There is the "ORCA" card system, ending fare collection.
- Buses are new and clean, and even the old buses are beautiful compared to ours.
- You get paid for filling out lost and found tickets.
- You get paid for filling out work cards.
- There is no fee for drivers for health insurance, granted the benefits are not exactly the same as ours.
- There are multiple uniform options, not just the heavy industrial outfits we are required to wear.
How does this transit district get to be called "a model for the country".
It's all propaganda that has no bearing in reality.
2 comments:
Bottom line, Trimet is all about big fat pensions and benefits including power and control for MANAGEMENT!
Wow, how old are your buses? We have had automated announcements here for some time now. Most of our fleet are Gilligs.
I do know that the agencies with more funding have better equipment. With our company most of the funds are going to lightrail and commuter rail projects which puts the sqeeze on bus side. It is almost like the forgot about us. More cuts to our routes because all of the funds are going to rail. It is quite unfortunate. We also have pouches that we carry. When someone with a bike boards the bus we have to give them a bike card so they do not forget their bike on the way off. It is a huge pain in the ass, but our passengers do forget their bikes now and then. Our big thing that is a pain in the ass here is what we call the free fare zone. People can ride the bus or train anywhere in the immediate downtown area. This of course is an open invitation for the homeless to ride all day. We all hate it and want it to go away because it causes such a high fare evasion. Sounds like we have many of the same problems Al!
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