OUR(former) ESTEEMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Shelly’s view
Safety Remains Our Core Value
As you know, the anniversary of the worst bus accident in TriMet history is quickly approaching. The tragedy spurred many actions at TriMet over the past year designed to highlight the importance of safety in everything we do; not just in Operations but in the entire agency. Time may heal some wounds but safety remains TriMet’s number one priority.
We will continue to identify new ways to make operations safer and, as with the Request for Safety Assessment program, we will also continue to expect employees on the front lines to tell us how we can improve safety in the field and at TriMet facilities.
One of our biggest efforts to enhance safety at TriMet begins this month: recertification training for all bus operators. Every TriMet bus operator will be participating in this program which will include classroom and on-the-road training.
Unlike refresher training sessions, this is a true recertification program: operators will be expected to successfully pass a written test to complete the training. Our goal is to ensure that every operator is well versed in safe operation. Additional training will be provided for any operator who does not satisfactorily complete recertification.
I have seen first-hand how hard many of you are working to ensure safety is a core value in all that you do. I appreciate all the strides we have made over the past year and I look forward to continuing our work together to nurture and grow a culture of safety at TriMet.
MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA
WES and Green Line Ridership Grow
March ridership counts are hot off the press. Overall, ridership last month was very similar to ridership last year; a total of 8.6 million trips were taken on buses, MAX and WES in March 2011 compared to approximately 8.7 million boardings last year. However, WES Commuter Rail and the MAX Green Line both enjoyed significant increases in ridership.
WES ridership increased by nearly 24 percent from the same time last year. Meanwhile Green Line ridership grew by almost 14 percent on weekdays and 3 percent on weekends.
COMPLAINT COMING TO AN OPERATOR LIKE YOU!
Recent Ruling on SIP Unfair Labor Practice Complaint
In May 2009, TriMet implemented its current system for processing customer comments, the Service Improvement Process (SIP). Unlike the Customer Service Information process, SIP is designed to resolve customer issues at intake whenever possible while also highlighting issues needing an immediate response in the field.
Following the implementation of SIP, ATU filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against TriMet that alleged the change in the process for handling customer concerns violated good faith bargaining laws. Last month, the judge issued a “Recommended Ruling” that dismissed the ULP. Approval by the Employment Relations Board of the “Recommended Ruling” is pending.
Labor issues aside, the key role of SIPs remains helping TriMet assess the quality of its service on an on-going basis. SIPs helps us identify and resolve issues of true concern and devote our resources more effectively as we strive for enhanced service and safety excellence.
If you need more information about SIP, please contact your transportation manager.
Transit Mall Enforcement Mission Yields Results
In response to operators’ safety concerns about auto driver and pedestrian behavior on the Transit Mall, the Portland Police Traffic and Transit Divisions were out in force on March 29thand additional mall missions are planned.
Police made contact with drivers they observed traveling in the transit only lanes or making illegal turns on the Mall. Pedestrians who were observed crossing Mall travel lanes in an unsafe manner – walking against the light, crossing mid-block, etc. – were also targeted as part of this mission.
Police made contact with 107 people overall. The results of the mission:
• Driver citations: 31
• Driver warnings: 53
• Pedestrian citations: 11
• Pedestrian warnings: 12
• Vehicle Tows: 2
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