Monday, December 31, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR TRIMET
It turns out that was the best possible thing I could do.
I've been enjoying my daily freedom away from there.
And best of all, I have nothing to do all day now except BLOG ABOUT TRIMET and listen to TRIMET dispatch calls.
I find it completely entertaining, call me crazy but I enjoy it.
Add in a few colorful characters and I am having a great time in my early retirement.
Now that I am free from the oppressiveness of Trimet and their totalitarian control of my life, I feel good again.
And I can do all sorts of things now that I couldn't do while employed there.
Happy new year Trimet and thanks for providing me with endless hours of entertainment! Looking forward to another year of first class entertainment!
TRIMET-SETTING THE STANDARD FOR STUPID
I've blogged this same exact stupidity in the past. "They" just don't ever get anything right around there
Sunday, December 30, 2012
ALEX GETS TOSSED OFF THE MAX FOR PEEKING IN WINDOW
TRIMET $34 MILLION UPGRADE IS NOT WORKING
Specifically, they don't work!
I can verify that because I listen to an inordinate amount of Trimet dispatch calls and have been witness my self to the endless, line "line 9 train 35 line 9 train 35 line 9 train 35 please answer the hand set".
There was a serious incident recently where the radio malfunctioned and people could have been hurt!
It's starting to look like another massive Trimet failure.
TRIMET WORKERS ARE PART OF THE WORLDWIDE STRUGGLE!
Trimet union employees are just another part of the world wide movement against unions and the members they represent. Our best hope is victory in Europe, American culture is too brainwashed to understand that unions are not the enemy of the citizenry. If the Europeans can beat back the anti union corporate capitalists then maybe there is hope for us here in America.
These are dark times for trade unions and workers. They face a strong and European wide political consensus claiming that Member States should exit the crisis by cutting wages and weakening collective bargaining systems. The old and ancient instrument of a devaluation of the national currency is to be replaced with wage devaluations.
These are dark times for trade unions and workers. They face a strong and European wide political consensus claiming that Member States should exit the crisis by cutting wages and weakening collective bargaining systems. The old and ancient instrument of a devaluation of the national currency is to be replaced with wage devaluations.
In Portugal, Spain and Greece, this consensus is already in place. Employers there now have several possibilities to lower wages. They can easily get out from higher level collective agreements and renegotiate lower wage standards at company level. It is even possible for management to completely circumvent representative trade unions and strikes or impose deals with ‘committees of workers’ or individual workers instead.
RANDY STEADMAN WISHES ALL CURRENT AND PAST EMPLOYEES A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Let #TriMet and Randy Stedman plan your trip from decent wages/benefits to living like a Walmart worker. #trimet twitter.com/HowWeRoll3/sta…
— How We Roll (@HowWeRoll3) December 30, 2012
This year saw the return of the anti blogger
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| Ellen the bobblehead |
TriMet's new "Cargo Container" service
Say no more! Introducing TriMet's Container Service! Simply load up at your favorite transit center...the doors will close and seal, providing an air-tight, water-tight shelter. Then hang on as you're jostled onto some kind of flatbed truck and hauled off to your destination - whereever it may be.
TriMet - See where it takes you!
(This picture taken at noon, December 30, 2012 at the Parkrose Transit Center.)
TOP BLOG STORIES-2012
BIGGEST POSTS 2012
Below are all the posts that gererated a HUGE amount of interest, 300 views or more. Some of them even exceeded 1000 views, which is fairly rare. Anyway, here are the MOST VIEWED POSTS OF 2012
TRIMET 2012 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Full financial report is HERE!
Total operating and non-operating revenues were $488,360 for fiscal year 2012, an increase of 19.0 percent.
Passenger revenue increased 5.5 percent, to $102,240, during fiscal year 2012, as a result of a fare increase implemented in September 2011, a 2.2 percent increase in annual light rail ridership, and a 2.0 percent increase in bus ridership.
Total payroll and other tax revenues increased $21,928, or 9.7 percent, compared to fiscal year 2011. Employer payroll tax revenue increased $21,475, or 10.2 percent, while self employment and other tax revenues increased $1,745, or 12.9 percent, over fiscal year 2011
Grant revenue increased $51,780, or 130.6 percent, compared to fiscal year 2011
Total operating and non-operating expenses increased 1.0 percent to $553,894, during fiscal year 2012
OK lets take a look at these numbers,
1-operating revenues were up 19%
2-expenses increased 1%
Operationally Trimet is doing very well, as I have indicated in previous posts.
Then there is this:
The District’s total net assets at June 30, 2012, were $1,822,565, an increase of $69,438 or 4.0 percent from June 30, 2011
(see Table 1). Total assets increased $83,572, or 2.9 percent, and total liabilities increased $14,134 or 1.2 percent. The
increase in total assets is due primarily to increases in capital assets, offset by decreases in cash and investments of
$81,466 associated with the payment of debt service principal and interest and the utilization of restricted funds for
construction costs related to the Portland to Milwaukie light rail project. The increase in total liabilities is due primarily to
increases in Other postemployment benefits liability of $67,707, partially offset by principal payments made on bonds during
the year.
It's hard to make heads or tails out of any of this without being someone 'from the inside"
Numbers can always be moved around to fit the agenda of the person preparing the report
Total operating and non-operating revenues were $488,360 for fiscal year 2012, an increase of 19.0 percent.
Passenger revenue increased 5.5 percent, to $102,240, during fiscal year 2012, as a result of a fare increase implemented in September 2011, a 2.2 percent increase in annual light rail ridership, and a 2.0 percent increase in bus ridership.
Total payroll and other tax revenues increased $21,928, or 9.7 percent, compared to fiscal year 2011. Employer payroll tax revenue increased $21,475, or 10.2 percent, while self employment and other tax revenues increased $1,745, or 12.9 percent, over fiscal year 2011
Grant revenue increased $51,780, or 130.6 percent, compared to fiscal year 2011
Total operating and non-operating expenses increased 1.0 percent to $553,894, during fiscal year 2012
OK lets take a look at these numbers,
1-operating revenues were up 19%
2-expenses increased 1%
Operationally Trimet is doing very well, as I have indicated in previous posts.
Then there is this:
The District’s total net assets at June 30, 2012, were $1,822,565, an increase of $69,438 or 4.0 percent from June 30, 2011
(see Table 1). Total assets increased $83,572, or 2.9 percent, and total liabilities increased $14,134 or 1.2 percent. The
increase in total assets is due primarily to increases in capital assets, offset by decreases in cash and investments of
$81,466 associated with the payment of debt service principal and interest and the utilization of restricted funds for
construction costs related to the Portland to Milwaukie light rail project. The increase in total liabilities is due primarily to
increases in Other postemployment benefits liability of $67,707, partially offset by principal payments made on bonds during
the year.
It's hard to make heads or tails out of any of this without being someone 'from the inside"
Numbers can always be moved around to fit the agenda of the person preparing the report
Latest "seen and heard on Trimet"
But not seen on TRIMET'S HOW WE ROLL BLOG!
| I need a car trimet really be pissing me off |
TRIMET AND ITS ATTEMPTS TO HIDE STUFF
HILLSBORO, Ore. -- A MAX Blue Line train was involved in a collision with an automobile in Hillsboro Sunday morning.
At 10:09 a.m. TriMet, the agency overseeing MAX service, sent out the following service alert: "MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro is disrupted due to a collision between a train and an auto. Expect delays."
At 10:27 a.m. Sunday, MAX Blue Line service in Hillsboro had been restored.
According to TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt, "Initial reports indicate the auto ran a red light on 10th at Washington. There was only minor damage reported to both vehicles."
"One person from the train complained of injury and was transported," Altstadt said in her prepared statement.
Riders on the Blue Line "may notice" minor delays through 11 a.m. as regular service returns, TriMet reports.
At 10:09 a.m. TriMet, the agency overseeing MAX service, sent out the following service alert: "MAX Blue Line in Hillsboro is disrupted due to a collision between a train and an auto. Expect delays."
At 10:27 a.m. Sunday, MAX Blue Line service in Hillsboro had been restored.
According to TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt, "Initial reports indicate the auto ran a red light on 10th at Washington. There was only minor damage reported to both vehicles."
"One person from the train complained of injury and was transported," Altstadt said in her prepared statement.
Riders on the Blue Line "may notice" minor delays through 11 a.m. as regular service returns, TriMet reports.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
FUNNY HOW TRIMET ALWAYS HAS FUNDS FOR STUFF LIKE THIS
2. Prepare maps, graphs and other visual aids for reports and public presentations in support of TOD programs. Prepare technical memorandums, emails, agendas, schedules, drafting meeting notes, tracking tasks, assignments and due dates, in support of TOD programs.
3. Evaluate and analyze financial statements, including development pro formas. Make recommendations based on prior knowledge to ensure proper cost of development and income projections are accurate.
4. Serve as a liaison for various committees. Provide information to various groups, committees, and individuals regarding transportation and development projects.
5. Collect and evaluate data, perform analysis, including demographic data, market data and transit data. Prepare documentation, formulate solutions to problems and write reports as assigned.
6. Stay abreast of market trends, development finance programs and TOD best practices.
TRIMET BULLSHIT
TRIMET 'CUSTOMER' SERVICE (ask Dale Weber about this)
Customer Service
The Customer Service Department works to attract and retain riders by giving customers accurate information, listening to and acting on their concerns, and providing an extra measure of personal attention when service disruptions occur.
Customer Feedback Process
The Customer Service Department works to attract and retain riders by giving customers accurate information, listening to and acting on their concerns, and providing an extra measure of personal attention when service disruptions occur.
Customer Feedback Process
TRIMET BUDGET CRISIS UPDATE
"We must impose sharp austerity onto Trimet riders and employees if the agency is to survive" Says Trimet General Manager Mcfarlane. (and we also need to keep the executive ranks nice and full is what he hasn't mentioned to the public)
SO FAR THE NEW $30 MILLION DOLLAR BDS IS A BUST
And now they have this planned for mid 2013, I'm sure it will work out as planned, just like the new BDS has worked out:
Q: When will we start using transfer printers on the buses?
A: Pilot testing on a portion of the bus fleet is expected to begin in the spring. Around the middle of 2013, the plan is for all buses to have transfer printers installed near the farebox. Instead of tearing, punching and handing over a flimsy newsprint transfer, the operator will push a button on the MDT screen, and the new device will issue a durable transfer with a foil strip and the correct expiration time, daycode and designation (Adult/Honored Citizen/ Youth). Although the new device is just a printer—you can’t swipe or tap a debit/ credit card on it—it’s another step toward an electronic fare system. Before the transfer printers become widely available, we’ll educate customers through media releases, social media, email and other channels.DALE WEBER NEVER RODE TRIMET AGAIN
Friday, December 28, 2012
FOR SOMEONE WHO IS SO UNPOPULAR HE ALWAYS GETS LOTS OF VIEWS
| Just look at this face! How could you not like Lane? |
Who am I talking about, yes its LANE JENSON for real!
I'm going through all the top posts for last year and every single one of Lanes is in the top posts list!
It is kinda funny, actually its unbelievable.
You have to say one thing about Lane, and the thing I like about him, he is one eccentric dude!
SOMEBODY SHOW ME-WHERE IS THE BUDGET DEFICIT?
I must be doing something or not understanding something with this chart:
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| Most recent Trimet figures from Trimet dashboard |
When I read the chart I see a total of $348.9 million in ACTUAL revenue.
And furthermore I see the budget called for revenues of $329.2 million.
I see they have a surplus of $10.7 million dollars.
What am I doing wrong?
Latest "seen and heard on Trimet"
But not seen on TRIMET'S HOW WE ROLL BLOG!
| Line 88 operator/1708 just got the bird from a pedestrian for . . . well, just driving the bus! (Really!) |
GREAT MOMENTS FROM 2012
This woman speaker at the Trimet service cut hearings said it all, she spoke with true heart to bureaucrats who just don't care. Watch how the paid moderator interrupts her and silences her after she goes slightly over the 'allotted time'. These hearings mean nothing to the power brokers, and if not for people like me would be lost in history. At least we have a record of this event.
HERO'S OF 2012-CAMERON JOHNSON
GREAT EVENTS OF 2012-OPAL
OPAL members tried valiantly to get some reasonableness out of the sock puppets. Alas they were addressing sock puppets and not real thinking people able to exercise any power
Another MAX fail this morning
Commuters beware -- @trimet fixing a broken MAX train at SW 17th and SW Morrison. Shuttle bus taking passengers to next stop.
— KOIN Local 6 (@KOINLocal6) December 28, 2012
LANE JENSEN HAS ACHIEVED NOTORIETY AT TRIMET
The amazing part is that is was the CLERK ON THE PHONE that gave him that answer, not an actual customer service rep.
WOW LANE-you have achieved notoriety at all levels of Trimet.
What's with all the excitement around uniforms
Its odd because not one person in the public has even noticed any of this, nor have they noticed anyone wearing Trimet uniforms that was not an employee of Trimet.
The fact of the matter is that nobody gives a damn, except a few bus drivers that seem to have some sort of weird attachment to their uniforms.
I hated that uniform, I hated wearing it and making myself a walking billboard for Trimet. I tried to replace every item in the uniform issue with my own 'similar' but comfortable item.
I'm glad that some Trimet drivers are 'proud' of that uniform, but the level of attachment to a piece of clothing is downright bizarre in my opinion
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Latest "seen and heard on Trimet"
CLASSICS FROM THE WINTER OF 2008
It was the worst winter storm in years! There was still freedom of speech and thought at Trimet. It was the best year to be a blogger and employed by Trimet
How to drive an old bus-42,000 views
I saw Dave Stubblfield today, who filmed this now famous video of me!
Even Sound Transit has Rail/Bus inequality
Good news for New Year's Eve! Central Link light rail will run extended hours.
They never have run late bus service, only their light rail trains. They can find the labor and resources to run trains, but not buses.
They never have run late bus service, only their light rail trains. They can find the labor and resources to run trains, but not buses.
UNION BULLIES
If I start getting bullied by union members again I will bail on this union.
THIS TIME FOR GOOD!
Just letting ya know!
TRIMET WHITE SHIRTS TOW THE COMPANY LINE
To get promoted at Trimet you have to be a company man/woman.
I find it sorta despicable from my point of view. Working so hard to protect a government bureaucracy that has lost all ethics and is actively screwing its union employees. (yes white shirts are union members, although you can hardly see it)
Of course everybody at Trimet is scared of losing their job, and this is a country full of wage slaves who live their lives in fear.
And the more you make the more you have to lose. It's all about the money. Money has always been the tool for corruption of people.
Come up with enough money and you can buy anything, including people.
Anyway Trimet has a very loyal workforce of 'white shirts' who do everything they are told to do. I only have met two who have actively tried to get change by taking a chance, and both of them were threatened with job loss.
Such a culture of followers, sheeple.
In the end that will be the undoing of the union here, Mcfarlane knows it too.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
THE MOVIE THAT MADE LANE JENSEN FAMOUS
And of course drew the wrath of that nut female man hating blogger out there in cyber space. As you can see what she thinks means NOTHING to anybody: RANTINGS OF A FORMER TRIMET BUS DRIVER: Tri-Met Driver Caught Red-Handed
Latest "seen and heard on Trimet"
But not seen on TRIMET'S HOW WE ROLL BLOG!
| Trimet: 1, Paige: 0. Screw Trimet! |
'HOW WE ROLL'
Randy Stedman's idea of how contract negotiations should be conducted between #TriMet and #ATU757 president. twitter.com/HowWeRoll3/sta…
— How We Roll (@HowWeRoll3) December 27, 2012
ELLEN FOX HAS MADE A CAREER OUT OF PERSONALLY ATTACKING PEOPLE SHE DOESNT LIKE
You can view most of her paranoid history at the site below:
We watch as Ellen Fox plays 'victim' as she disrupts lives of others
We watch as Ellen Fox plays 'victim' as she disrupts lives of others
ELLEN FOX COMEDY BLOG
Al, ya need to step off the fence you've been dangling over for the last several years and make a decision. If it's Union - then SUPPORT your Union family. If it isn't then find a life!!!
ELLEN-LISTEN UP:
I don't subscribe to your love it or leave it theory!
Trimet f'ks up they will be held accountable if I can do it.
The union f'ks up I will hold them accountable also!
Me and you go way back, and have had some very high profile disputes.
Neither of us is gonna change a thing just because the other thinks this is the way to do it!
I have no intention of changing one thing I am doing.
You know why? Cause I enjoy it!
You just don't have the slightest clue as to what a transit geek is, actually you don't have a clue about much of anything.
Sorry my 'life' doesn't agree with you, but I could care less what you think.
CLASSIC TWEETS
"Thank you for calling Tri-Met, where our motto is 'why don't you just buy a car and stop bothering us?'" @trimet
— They Call Me Doc (@SmilingNaked) December 26, 2012
ELLEN FOX BLOWN OFF BY STATE SENATOR
We made an appointment with Senator Chip Shields last Spring (2011) to discuss the possibility of creating new laws to protect all citizens regardless of age from Cyber Harassment. He changed his mind about meeting in Salem after we drove 3/4 of the way. We then headed back to Portland to meet with him at a coffee shop he suggested. After waiting nearly two hours, I called and he accused us of not being there when he arrived. (the man didn't want anything to do with this woman. Of course Ellen didn't get the hint-she is so in love with herself she can't accurately discern the world around her.)
TRIMET TICKET EXPIRATION ILLEGAL?
So says this reader:
W7ENK said... Expiring old tickets without a printed expiration date would be in direct violation of Oregon State Law.
http://pdfcast.org/pdf/trimet-tickets-ors
W7ENK said... Expiring old tickets without a printed expiration date would be in direct violation of Oregon State Law.
http://pdfcast.org/pdf/trimet-tickets-ors
ELLEN FOX GETS ON HER HIGH HORSE AGAIN
Supervisors have a right to question WHY NON-EMPLOYEES are riding the system walking around the Bus Mall and Transit Centers IMPERSONATING Bus Operators. SERIOUSLY, why are these guy's masquerading US? Could it be they're scamming the system for free rides or are they DEPRIVED for ATTENTION?!!!
Actually Ellen, as usual, you don't know what your talking about, sorry.
There is nothing in the TRIMET CODE (which regulates all the actions of fare inspectors/supervisors) that gives any one of them the authority to question the dress of a Trimet patron. At no time did any of these people 'impersonate' a Trimet employee. I got a legal opinion on this. There is nothing in the law that prohibits any citizen from wearing a Trimet uniform, its the same as wearing a 'costume'
And you better believe I am protective of the people that contribute to my blog. Unlike you they are not getting paid $25/hr
I know you see yourself as the 'defender' of Trimet employees, but in reality you're just a kook.
TRIMET HAS NO SENSE OF DECENCY
Nothing boils my blood more than the ticket machine fiasco and the complete and utter disregard Trimet has for its riders. Actually expecting riders to keep looking for a machine that works is about as bad as government can get.
But this is Mcfarlanes Trimet. Lies are spread without any conscience, propaganda is used by the boat load, and its ALWAYS SOMEBODY ELSE'S FAULT.
TRIMET REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING!.
Many of us are waiting for Sale vs Trimet where all the dirty laundry that Trimet fascists have tried so long to hide comes out in the open.
It's coming folks!
But this is Mcfarlanes Trimet. Lies are spread without any conscience, propaganda is used by the boat load, and its ALWAYS SOMEBODY ELSE'S FAULT.
TRIMET REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING!.
Many of us are waiting for Sale vs Trimet where all the dirty laundry that Trimet fascists have tried so long to hide comes out in the open.
It's coming folks!
@trimet PLEASE fix your validation machines (T093&T094)! I don't want to go around town just to validate and don't want another ticket!!!
— hellovivi (@hellovivi) December 26, 2012
Trimet-setting the standard for professionalism
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| Pic from Adri C |
"I USED TO RIDE TRIMET"
OnlyOne:
I used to ride the Tri-met
I used to take the 71 over to 66th and walk it
Now every May I'm gone 'til November like Wyclef (I'm out)
The grind is real and no one's lowered the price yet
[...] is thirty-two times ten and I don't write cheques
Life-threatening moments move towards me, I side-step
High-tech, high-def, Ziplock, Pyrex
I dissect life, sometimes it's too hard to digest
http://rapgenius.com/Sandpeople-strands-lyrics#lyric
I used to ride the Tri-met
I used to take the 71 over to 66th and walk it
Now every May I'm gone 'til November like Wyclef (I'm out)
The grind is real and no one's lowered the price yet
[...] is thirty-two times ten and I don't write cheques
Life-threatening moments move towards me, I side-step
High-tech, high-def, Ziplock, Pyrex
I dissect life, sometimes it's too hard to digest
http://rapgenius.com/Sandpeople-strands-lyrics#lyric
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
'HOW WE ROLL' SUMS IT UP
Neil McFarlane the Christmas grinch at #TriMet. Screwing employees by lowering wages and benefits while his increases. twitter.com/HowWeRoll3/sta…
— How We Roll (@HowWeRoll3) December 25, 2012
Transit Veteran: "It's Much More Than Just Driving a Bus"
Listen Here!
(The author 'gets it')
Those of us who ride the bus on a regular basis take it for granted that the man – or woman – behind the wheel is going to get us where we’re going safely. But few of us give much thought to the driver and what he or she does, aside from stopping the bus, opening the doors, and accepting fares.
It turns out that there’s a lot more to it. And Bill Locher can speak to almost all of it.
Monday, December 24, 2012
TRIMET WON'T EVEN LET UP ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Are they unbelievable or what?
Hillsboro central MAX station proof of payment sting in progress now. Merry Christmas from @trimet
— Daniel P Johnson (@teknotus) December 25, 2012
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Some people call me a 'bitter employee'. Nothing is further from the truth. I am very PRO TRIMET and knew many great people when working there. It turned into one of the most profound experiences of my life, and that is not an exaggeration. This parting video below shows how much I really did actually enjoy the people of Trimet.
NEILS BULLSHIT
Posted by Neil McFarlane at Dec 24, 2012 08:45
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| Toy train to Milwaukie costing $1.5 billion dollars for Neil |
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FRED
Nobody is talking about taking anything away from FRED
Merry Christmas
MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM TRIMET SINCE 2009
Additionally, TriMet transfers do not fit the excluded definitions, as those very specifically outline "prepaid telephone calling cards, prepaid commercial mobile radio services" ... and "...usable with more than one seller of goods or services."