My rating on Trimet's performance during this 'heat wave'

B-

How did I come up with this rating? It's actually quite simple. I spent a good part of the last 3 days tuning into the Trimet scanner listening to the action. It was the usual really late buses, broken down buses, broken down/late  trains, and broken down/late  street cars. But it was basically what I expected, actually slightly better. If Trimet had met my expectations I would have rated them a C, if not C- or lower. But they actually surpassed my expectations slightly, hence the B- rating. Trimet is a long way from moving beyond this rating but at least they can keep things moving relatively adequately. I was hoping for more dramatic failures, it didn't happen. They get an A rating on helping people who stupidly left there belongings behind on the MAX or bus, and the supervisors get an A for their customer service skills with riders in the field.  Those road supervisors have a pretty kick ass job, driving around to witness traffic problems, buses borken down, accidents etc. The only bad thing they have to deal with is the riders who are not exactly 'friendly'. I won't touch the stormtroopers I know they are 'just following orders'. 
I don't envy the dispatchers, that has to get old having to coordinate all the late  and broken down buses and occasionally questionable operators. I will never understand the 'why are you late' nonsense they give operators but I know they have been told from higher up to get that info.

Now the MAX controllers on the other hand, that is definately a difficult job. It's basically a 24 hour deal trying to keep these MAX trains rolling. It's just one problem after another over there. And there is a ton of technical information that the controller must know or know where to find immediately. They have to be sharp at all times. I understand why transit systems send people up to Trimet to examine the operation. Keeping a light rail system going is one complicated deal. Actually too complicated, I think BRT is WAY preferable. Of course this is America everything has to be expensive and complicated.