Trimess

Sunday, January 29, 2012

People know "stay off Trimet" when it snows (or when it chains)

Overall ridership was down about 10 percent during last week’s two snow days. Ridership typically drops during winter weather events and last week’s snow days were no exception. TriMet sees many new riders during winter weather events, but a lot of people stay home or do not make as many trips as usual. Here are the ridership numbers for last week’s snow days:
Tuesday, January 17
·         Bus - 208,700 (compared with Tuesday, Jan 10 - 216,400)
·         MAX - 126,500 (compared with Tuesday, Jan 10 - 133,700)
Wednesday, January 18
·         Bus - 198,800 (compared with Wednesday, Jan 11 - 219,500)
·         MAX - 117,900 (compared with Wednesday, Jan 11 - 135,800)

7 comments:

Erik H. said...

The problem with TriMet is that it denies service to those who want it.

On a typical snow day, you can see all sorts of people waiting at bus stops that normally wouldn't see more than one or two people waiting. You'll see buses that are full...that usually aren't.

And what does TriMet do? It reduces service. Whether it's simply running fewer buses, or slows the buses down, or sends the buses on other routes, or converts non-express buses to express buses (I boarded one 94 bus that had a 12XX train number)...

Jason McHuff said...

Some of those are one-time riders who should be riding all the time and not expect TriMet to be some fallback option. Do you think TriMet should provide overcapacity so people can take it when they (rarely) feel like it?

Whether it's simply running fewer buses

What's your evidence they were doing that?

I boarded one 94 bus that had a 12XX train number

How do you know that meant a Line 12 trip didn't run?

Anonymous said...

Where'd you find this, Al?

Al M said...

Trimet is totally unreliable when chains are on. Only people without options should rely on Trimet unless you add at least 1 hr ahead of usual departure time.

Al M said...

Internal info I believe....

Erik H. said...

Do you think TriMet should provide overcapacity so people can take it when they (rarely) feel like it?

Interesting, because that's the precise justification for MAX and WES.

Under your argument, rail transport in Portland should not exist at all - why should TriMet provide overcapacity so people can take it when they (rarely) feel like it...especially since Saturday is the busiest ridership day for MAX?

Thanks for playing. I'm sure your next presentation to the TriMet board will advocate for an immediate 50% reduction in MAX service hours on the weekend to support your own argument.

Jason McHuff said...

Interesting, because that's the precise justification for MAX and WES.

What is your source for that?

especially since Saturday is the busiest ridership day for MAX?

I'm not sure that's true, but regardless it's a) predictable and b) routine. In no way like a winter storm.

immediate 50% reduction in MAX service hours on the weekend

What about the loss of frequency? Overall, there's a need to provide a base level of service before any capacity issues are considered.