Trimess

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Why is your Trimet bus driver rude?

 (Other factors not discussed in this essay is the hostile workplace that has been going on over there since Neil Mcafarlane became the exalted leader and declared a war on his union employees cutting benefits and imposing overly harsh discipline all the while giving himself raises. There is also the lack of a steady job schedule, Every 3 months drivers are forced change routes and time of duty. Bus operators work in the very early hours of the morning into the late night. There is a tremendous amount of forced overtime and a system that forces people into part time before full time which strips them of their seniority. The truth is that the mechanism to provide public transit is abusive to the drivers and abusive to the public. The people that run public transit very seldom use public transit but rather have backgrounds coming from special intersts.  )

The public has no idea what its like to be a bus driver. Some members of the ignorant public actually think the job is 'easy'. (All those bus drivers do all day is sit on their ass and drive around). As a former bus driver I can tell you that it is actually one of the hardest jobs in America. 

And nothing makes the job harder than driving a bus with a bad schedule. One of the most important things to a bus driver is to run the bus on time. Virtually every bus driver I have ever met attempts to drive their bus 'on time'. 

Transit management has over time determined that transit drivers should be treated like a piece of 'equipment' rather than a human being and want to 'maximize' the time driving.  Take a look at the list of late buses below. Every single one of the operators that is driving one of those buses noted below is having a 'bad day'. Some of those drivers are downright  miserable and take out their frustration on transit riders.

Bus drivers are not born mean, they are made mean by the job, Trimet knowingly allows these lousy working conditions to exist.

There are 121 buses running substantially late at one time, that is a clear failure of Trimet management in scheduling and its completely ignored 

As of Vehicle Block Line/Destination E/L Load Prev stop Track
5:57 PM 2201 1943 19 Mt Scott-112th -16:04 0% 6413 (74) Track
5:57 PM 2225 1235 12 Parkrose TC -14:25 0% 13651 (78) Track
5:57 PM 2231 2047 20 Gresham TC -10:26 0% 792 (6) Track
5:57 PM 2220 1236 12 Parkrose TC -10:48 0% 6839 (50) Track
5:57 PM 2209 7934 154 To Willamette -14:24 0% 10447 (1) Track
5:57 PM 2215 7248 72 Clackamas TC -12:45 0% 7929 (72) Track
5:57 PM 3219 4871 48 To Hillsboro TC -26:03 0% 1161 (8) Track
5:57 PM 3223 6267 62 To Washington Square -31:55 0% 9958 (25) Track
5:57 PM 3226 2073 20 Gresham TC -21:19 0% 1317 (132) Track
5:57 PM 3231 7668 78 To Lake Oswego TC -13:31 2 (63) Track
5:57 PM 3208 5669 56 To Washington Square -38:26 0% 5155 (34) Track
5:57 PM 2247 1446 14 To 94-Foster -15:00 0% 1816 (41) Track
5:57 PM 3213 9268 92 South Beaverton Exp -52:54 0% 1927 (5) Track
5:57 PM 3214 5269 52 To PCC-Rock Creek -10:42 0% 8839 (53) Track
5:57 PM 3251 5271 52 To Beaverton TC -17:46 0% 1656 (52) Track
5:57 PM 3254 2069 20 Beaverton TC -37:10 0% 691 (114) Track
5:57 PM 3256 4667 48 To Hillsboro TC -45:46 0% 10008 (29) Track
5:56 PM 108 9005 Blue to Gresham -14:59 13450 (44) Track
5:57 PM 2292 1947 19 Mt Scott-112th -18:22 0% 1764 (91) Track
5:57 PM 3234 6170 61 Beaverton TC -50:32 0% 10036 (15) Track
5:57 PM 2285 2041 20 Beaverton TC -42:27 0% 5377 (126) Track
5:57 PM 3233 7869 78 To Beaverton TC -17:14 70% 2271 (65) Track
5:57 PM 3232 4569 45 To Tigard TC -28:17 0% 8227 (25) Track
5:57 PM 3238 5870 58 To Beaverton TC -56:04 0% 919 (18) Track
5:57 PM 3236 5469 56 To Portland -25:56 0% 5175 (9) Track
5:57 PM 3164 7671 78 To Lake Oswego TC -10:38 2233 (31) Track
5:56 PM 3161 5776 57 To Forest Grove -14:24 0% 5644 (23) Track
5:57 PM 3162 5772 57 To Forest Grove -12:37 5619 (9) Track
5:56 PM 3141 9408 94 To Sherwood -20:54 0% 8213 (9) Track
5:57 PM 2111 1604 16 To Sauvie Island -31:54 0% 597 (34) Track
5:57 PM 3170 5468 54 To Portland -38:35 70% 331 (16) Track
5:57 PM 3169 5272 52 To PCC-Rock Creek -10:19 0% 9539 (4) Track
5:57 PM 3103 405 4 Gresham TC -12:02 70% 9426 (143) Track
5:57 PM 2141 6801 68 18th-Jefferson -13:30 0% 7749 (14) Track
5:57 PM 2137 9902 99 To Clackamas CC -19:16 0% 3635 (6) Track
5:57 PM 2139 3507 35 To Oregon City TC -10:32 0% 13180 (45) Track
5:57 PM 2116 3205 32 To Clackamas CC -17:17 0% 3690 (64) Track
5:56 PM 2119 101 1 Vermont via Maplewood -14:37 0% 199 (20) Track
5:57 PM 2113 9906 99 To Clackamas CC -12:46 0% 3989 (16) Track
5:57 PM 2114 9903 99 To Clackamas CC -20:54 0% 3661 (7) Track
5:57 PM 2115 7006 70 To Milw via 13 -11:17 0% 6580 (46) Track
5:57 PM 2127 3502 35 Greeley to Univ Portland -15:04 0% 2962 (64) Track
5:57 PM 2121 9603 96 To Commerce Circle -11:05 0% 563 (24) Track
5:57 PM 2122 1238 12 To Tigard TC -24:58 0% 184 (73) Track
5:57 PM 3131 3304 33 To Clackamas CC -12:36 3727 (46) Track
5:57 PM 3120 411 4 To St. Johns -10:08 70% 3966 (100) Track
5:57 PM 2147 3513 35 To Oregon City TC -28:47 0% 5511 (38) Track
5:57 PM 3116 1708 17 To SE 134th -11:35 70% 2684 (85) Track
5:57 PM 3109 4406 44 Mocks Crest to St Johns -15:18 0% 6355 (56) Track
5:56 PM 306 9005 Blue to Gresham -14:59 13450 (44) Track
5:57 PM 2503 3514 35 Greeley to Univ Portland -19:30 0% 2197 (21) Track
5:57 PM 2527 2042 20 Gresham TC -31:34 0% 9978 (142) Track
5:57 PM 2523 410 4 To St. Johns -12:23 0% 1332 (4) Track
5:57 PM 2517 1901 19 Mt Scott-112th -10:37 0% 4039 (57) Track
5:57 PM 2541 7936 34 To Oregon City TC -23:34 0% 8446 (7) Track
5:57 PM 2557 1939 19 Gateway TC -10:09 0% 2158 (86) Track
5:57 PM 2548 1948 19 112th via 32nd-Rex -12:07 0% 3946 (57) Track
5:57 PM 411 9071 Yellow-Expo Ctr -11:27 7787 (6) Track
5:57 PM 2311 2044 20 Beaverton TC -31:09 0% 747 (104) Track
5:57 PM 2308 1940 19 112th via 32nd-Rex -12:16 0% 689 (37) Track
5:57 PM 407 9073 Green-Clackamas -10:03 13129 (22) Track
5:57 PM 2317 1734 17 To SE 134th -14:58 0% 2746 (65) Track
5:57 PM 416 9071 Yellow-Expo Ctr -11:27 7787 (6) Track
5:57 PM 420 9073 Green-Clackamas -10:03 13129 (22) Track
5:57 PM 1427 9406 94 To Sherwood -14:22 0% 9519 (31) Track
5:57 PM 1439 9907 99 To Clackamas CC -17:14 0% 3833 (11) Track
5:57 PM 1461 9409 94 To Sherwood -22:30 0% 199 (8) Track
5:56 PM 2716 3206 32 To Clackamas CC -13:36 0% 4160 (24) Track
5:57 PM 1612 3902 39 Lewis & Clark -18:55 0% 191 (6) Track
5:57 PM 2705 7503 75 To Milwaukie -13:48 0% 7564 (107) Track
5:57 PM 1626 5101 51 To Portland -16:51 0% 1520 (22) Track
5:57 PM 2809 9370 94 Downtown Only -12:22^ 0% 7751 (43) Track
5:57 PM 2814 3868 38 To Portland -12:54 0% 7887 (12) Track
5:57 PM 2803 2071 20 Beaverton TC -12:35 0% 13467 (94) Track
5:57 PM 2807 3870 38 To Tualatin P&R -17:55 0% 7876 (49) Track
5:57 PM 2805 5667 54 To Beaverton TC -29:12 0% 350 (29) Track
5:57 PM 2611 604 6 Jantzen Beach -19:29 0% 13629 (49) Track
5:57 PM 2609 4408 44 To PCC Sylvania -15:43 0% 949 (77) Track
5:57 PM 2622 603 6 Jantzen Beach -17:09 0% 5910 (24) Track
5:57 PM 2649 902 4 Gresham TC -11:17 0% 9311 (68) Track
5:57 PM 3007 2037 20 Gresham TC -23:08 0% 772 (47) Track
5:57 PM 3001 1534 15 Gateway TC -13:51 0% 404 (45) Track
5:57 PM 1902 5067 50 To Sunset TC -14:10 0% 13282 (38) Track
5:57 PM 3045 7004 70 To Sunderland via 13th -21:48 0% 6699 (11) Track
5:57 PM 3047 435 4 Gresham TC -35:52 0% 4818 (1) Track
5:57 PM 3019 2039 20 Gresham TC -27:46 0% 233 (17) Track
5:57 PM 3033 1234 12 To Tigard TC -17:03 0% 155 (52) Track
5:57 PM 3027 1936 19 To 112th via 28th -24:22 0% 7631 (38) Track
5:56 PM 2017 1403 14 To 94-Foster -10:40 0% 1827 (30) Track
5:57 PM 2018 1902 19 To 112th via 28th -13:15 0% 6399 (29) Track
5:57 PM 2822 5967 59 To Willow Ck-185th TC -62:40 0% 4385 (9) Track
5:57 PM 2823 5670 54 To Beaverton TC -22:26 70% 957 (11) Track
5:57 PM 2821 1272 12 To Tigard TC -18:31 0% 7631 (39) Track
5:57 PM 2818 2070 20 Beaverton TC -22:51 0% 716 (97) Track
5:57 PM 2816 1269 12 To Tigard TC -23:09 0% 10844 (61) Track
5:57 PM 2817 6271 62 To Washington Square -29:24 0% 9625 (1) Track
5:57 PM 2828 5268 52 To Beaverton TC -12:41 0% 6971 (38) Track
5:57 PM 2014 1506 15 Gateway TC -12:12 0% 7098 (38) Track
5:57 PM 2824 5867 58 To Beaverton TC -84:19 0% 909 (22) Track
5:57 PM 2839 4570 45 To Tigard TC -14:30 0% 8227 (25) Track
5:57 PM 2834 4768 48 To Sunset TC -18:46 0% 13465 (48) Track
5:57 PM 2913 4868 48 To Sunset TC -38:56 0% 1163 (18) Track
5:57 PM 2914 6269 62 To Sunset TC -19:52 0% 9957 (31) Track
5:57 PM 2915 6270 62 To Washington Square -34:43 0% 8617 (50) Track
5:57 PM 2919 9368 94 To Sherwood -16:03 0% 199 (8) Track
5:57 PM 2923 5770 57 To Forest Grove -19:51 0% 259 (45) Track
5:57 PM 2924 5470 56 To Washington Square -22:00 0% 329 (26) Track
5:57 PM 2925 6268 62 To Sunset TC -32:56 0% 8828 (47) Track
5:57 PM 2926 5274 92 South Beaverton Exp -24:54 0% 1927 (5) Track
5:57 PM 2927 5773 57 To Beaverton TC -12:00 0% 4125 (35) Track
5:57 PM 2935 2067 20 Gresham TC -10:18 0% 5418 (84) Track
5:57 PM 2937 5868 58 To Beaverton TC -33:55 0% 895 (8) Track
5:57 PM 2939 5769 57 To Forest Grove -23:15 0% 27 (62) Track
5:57 PM 2903 5267 52 To PCC-Rock Creek -22:58 0% 1666 (8) Track
5:57 PM 2907 6169 61 Beaverton TC -25:36 0% 9544 (14) Track
5:57 PM 2906 5671 54 To Beaverton TC -52:04 0% 349 (33) Track
5:57 PM 2905 5270 52 To PCC-Rock Creek -12:36 0% 6955 (35) Track
5:57 PM 2909 3871 38 To Tualatin P&R -17:16 0% 516 (21) Track
5:57 PM 2908 5771 57 To Forest Grove -20:09 0% 5639 (32) Track

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Truth.
HB

Al M said...

And then you get this shit
https://app.box.com/s/ti4ow541tq0zsgqo8zxt

Al M said...

09-25-14 18-30-50 Supervisors radio.mp3 - Box

Goonies said...

Al our customers could help us out a little and heres how.

1. Have """FARE""" ready like the sign on the bus says. If you don't have fare ready "PLEASE BOARD THE BUS LAST"
2. PLEASE don't ask me why I'am late.I'm LATE BECAUSE DISPATCH took away my leader and put them on a fucking bus bridge because max trains can't go around Max trains. Oh I also Had Three wheel chairs and 2 bikes.
4. When you board the bus go to back of the bus and exit the back of the bus!!!!
5. At night wear light colored cloths and carry a light source (cell phone, flash light, dollar store light) something so i can see you.

Deke N. Blue said...

Remember, this is summer, or "construction" as we Portlanders have come to know it. There is road work everywhere, traffic is jammed up beyond belief, and there are more cars on the road than ever before.

I don't believe operators are "mean". People tend to blame us when traffic is slapping them right in the face. Frustrated, shit and spit upon, and downright frank. But rude is a relative term. You can tell someone the truth, and they call in or tweet that we're "rude" to them. Bunch of ignorant, plugged in and tuned out pricks, some of them.

People who go out of their way to thank us, back us up, pass the "stranded in traffic" time with pleasant conversation... they get it.

Then, you add in the schedule time. I spoke with an operator who was frustrated today at BeavTC. He mentioned that the same run he's done for years has had over five minutes cut out of the schedule, and told to quit "whining" about it by a manager. So operators who are used to running a route a specific way get in trouble for running "too early", even though they're just trying to get their regulars to connecting buses/trains on time so they don't have to wait an inordinate amount for the next one.

People will bitch about us no matter what... please don't give them your ear.

Al M said...

I've noticed a tremendous amount of disrespectful conduct by trimet union supervisory personnel