Saturday, August 31, 2013
I WAS IN THE PIONEER SQ OFFICE FOR TRIMET
TRIMET SCANNER WINS AGAIN
When it comes to real time alerts TRIMETSCANNER is the place to be. When the scanner is being monitored and tweeted by the three main volunteers who keep this going it is the only place you can get 'real time' alerts. Trimet, being a bureaucracy, is unable to do almost anything in 'real time' due to multiple levels of management that insist on making 'declarations' only from their office.
In this particular incident Scanner won's hands down on Trimet with its alert but when the incident was over there was no chatter on the scanner. (unless we missed it) so Trimet got exclusive rights to that tweet. Trimet never had twitter alerts on weekends or M-F after 4:30pm. Lately we have been seeing Trimet step into off time alerts, which you would think they would have been doing all along.
We think that Trimet instructs personnel to keep service resumption notices off the air so Trimet can be the first to announce it. Obviously in response to Scanner's performance that shows how badly Trimet is dropping the ball.
In this particular incident Scanner won's hands down on Trimet with its alert but when the incident was over there was no chatter on the scanner. (unless we missed it) so Trimet got exclusive rights to that tweet. Trimet never had twitter alerts on weekends or M-F after 4:30pm. Lately we have been seeing Trimet step into off time alerts, which you would think they would have been doing all along.
We think that Trimet instructs personnel to keep service resumption notices off the air so Trimet can be the first to announce it. Obviously in response to Scanner's performance that shows how badly Trimet is dropping the ball.
Longshore Union Quits the AFL-CIO
The ILWU supports a national single-payer health care system, while the AFL-CIO is “in lockstep with Obama,” Sundet said. He criticized the federation for being unwilling to discuss the shortcomings of the Affordable Care Act, which discriminates against union Taft-Hartley benefit plans and will impose a so-called “Cadillac tax” on generous benefit plans.
Sundet also chided the federation’s position on immigration reform. The AFL-CIO is backing a bill that he contends will only make things harder for working-class immigrants, because it is “designed to give [only] highly-paid workers a real path to citizenship.”
- See more at: http://www.labornotes.org/2013/08/longshore-union-quits-afl-cio#sthash.2vB83OLy.dpuf
Patrick Stanley (written last June)
Transit Rider PDX: Nudepocolypse 2013: Nothing makes me more mad than a bunch of people expressing their "rights" to something at the expense of everyone else. Saturda...
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Friday, August 30, 2013
The latest Lane Jensen show
CLICK HERE!
Portland Transport to get makover
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My all time favorite site in Portland
Portland's only real transit discussion blog.
Ive been suspended, chastised, laughed at, and even threatened with permanent termination on a regular basis! I do believe they are directly responsible for the creation of Rantings as I remember that this blog was started the same week I was on suspension from Portland Transport!
Sad to see the old site disappear.
Comments Off
The ability to add new comments is now turned off in preparation for our site conversion. Hold all those good thoughts for next week!
LATEST SEEN AND HEARD ON TRIMET
But not seen on TRIMET'S HOW WE ROLL BLOG!
TRIMET SCANNER TWEETS HERE!
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| Joe Pierce
How the hell does an entire
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FUNNY ABOUT THIS GLOBAL SHERP APP
That seems sorta weird to me
ERIK MAKES A VALID POINT
The smart phone Sherpa app will definitely be useless to the elderly and the poorest among us since neither segment of that populaton will be using smart phones with 3g access
@trimet further disenfranchising poor, elderly riders. Stored value card systems are FAIR and EQUITABLE pic.twitter.com/hOZw72LznW
— Erik Halstead (@sp_redelectric) August 31, 2013
GREAT COMMENT ON THE KGW STORY ON TEXTING
Karla Oviatt Pixler · Bartender at Looking for a new gigI
have seen drivers talking on their phones while driving, often to
dispatch, so while Trimet might be saying one thing publicy they are
doing another privately. In the above photo it appears that the driver
is stopped at a bus transit center but no one seemed to notice that.
There is even another bus in front of it pulling away from thw curb.
Sounds suspect to me. Anyone who haa reas anything about Trimet or knows
anyone who works there they know that they are famous for the old bait
& switch, trying to draw our attention in one direction so we are
looking at the folly of the drivers rather than at what Trimet is trying
to get past the commission so they are able to expand into areas in
which they are not wanted all in the name of personal profit. I am less
concerned about a driver texting at a light or while on break at a stop
than I am about Trimet infringing on the public that does not always
want them
TriMet asks its drivers to put phones away | kgw.com Portland
TriMet asks its drivers to put phones away | kgw.com Portland
JOE ROSE GOT IT RIGHT
@GOODinPDX @mattpennington That's not true. #TriMet first agency to allow systemwide app
— Joseph Rose (@pdxcommute) August 29, 2013
TRIMET ALWAYS HIRING MORE PEOPLE TO BE IN CHARGE
Never seem to have enough bureaucrats at Trimet. All these people in charge and they have to contract out everything that actually does evaluations. What waste in government, nobody beat Trimet at wasting tax payer funds
$58,514.00 - $87,772.00 Annually
$58,514.00 - $87,772.00 Annually
Is this an example of bus driver solidarity?
Eight Paraguayan bus drivers and a woman have submitted to crucifixion in a protest against being sacked.
The men have been nailed to crosses through their hands for
20 days, and have vowed to continue their protest until they are
reinstated.BBC News - Sacked Paraguay bus drivers stage crucifixion protest
LANE APOLOGIZES FOR HIS KOIN INTERVIEW?
With regrets,
Lane Jensen
Portland Transit Lane
I was backed into a corner with no way out.
~~~What? Did somebody force you to do that interview?
This was TriMet’s way of getting back at me for the newsletter I’ve been distributing on buses.
Trimet's way of getting back at you? And how is that possible? I support Lane and the work he does but sometimes Lane's motives for doing things become a little fuzzy. This is the latest example of that. Did you speak the truth or not Lane? If you did why are you apologizing?
TRIMET-MASTER OF THEFT-CLASSIC TWEETS
Never taking @trimet machine takes your money and the report shows there was no excess money so sorry can't issue a ticket. Thieves. Car!
— Aria Ahrary (@aria_ahrary) August 30, 2013
MORE EVIDENCE THAT THIS LAST STORY ON TEXTING WAS A PLANT
In any even they allow retirees to get some material without charge, its the usual useless crap, you know the Hooray for us material. But today they sent some material which is just too coincidental to be ignored.
The fact that this article was all ready to go immediately after the news stories is hardly a coincidence. We already know how they use the mainstream media to do their dirty work and here we have more evidence to support that. The texting story looks like a plant
Earlier this month TriMet Executive
Director of Operations Shelly Lomax sent a memo out to all bus and rail operators reinforcing the concerns of distracted driving and stressing
that operators must put rider safety first. This is a reminder for the entire
workforce to put safety first. Using a phone or other personal electronic
device while driving violates Oregon law and TriMet policy, and it is
dangerous. Operators are allowed to have cell phones and other electronic
devices with them during their working day that they can use before or after
their shifts or while on a break. However, they must not use them when in the
driver’s seat of the bus or in the operating cab of a train whether in motion
or not. Employees are instructed that electronic devices must be turned off and
stowed at all times when operating a TriMet vehicle. For more on distracted
driving and TriMet statistics visit the TriMet news feed at news.trimet.org.
WEIRD TRIMET ALERTS
#15 Line 15: THURMAN LOOP ONLY.Your stop at Thurman & 26th Ave. will be closed as of 8pm tonite. This will be both directions Do not service that stop under any circumstances.
#4 Line 4 Division Please continue to do the detour at Division and Chavez. It may look open but you need to remain on detour Thanks.
#76 Line 76 due to the construction, buses are authorized to leave the Tualatin Transit Center 3 minutes early.
#16 Line 16 Back to regular route on Naito. Train Is Gone!!!
#12 Line 12 Westbound ONLY: Regular route to 230th and Sandy, right 230th, left Townsend Way, left 223rd, right Sandy, & Regular route UNTIL: 5p.
#12 Line 12 - please disregard the 230th and Sandy detour.
#17 Line 17 there is a detour at 27th and Saratoga. If you did NOT get the detour send a PRTT message. Thanks.
#9 #17 #19 Lines 9,17,19 Westbound: there is an accident blocking the right lane at the crest of the Ross Island Bridge. Please use left lane after clearing last stop on the east end of the bridge.
#8 Line 8 is back to regular route at 15th & Killingsworth - construction has ended early - advise to hold back at traffic light as signs will remain in place for a time.
#4 Line 4 Division Please continue to do the detour at Division and Chavez. It may look open but you need to remain on detour Thanks.
#76 Line 76 due to the construction, buses are authorized to leave the Tualatin Transit Center 3 minutes early.
#16 Line 16 Back to regular route on Naito. Train Is Gone!!!
#12 Line 12 Westbound ONLY: Regular route to 230th and Sandy, right 230th, left Townsend Way, left 223rd, right Sandy, & Regular route UNTIL: 5p.
#12 Line 12 - please disregard the 230th and Sandy detour.
#17 Line 17 there is a detour at 27th and Saratoga. If you did NOT get the detour send a PRTT message. Thanks.
#9 #17 #19 Lines 9,17,19 Westbound: there is an accident blocking the right lane at the crest of the Ross Island Bridge. Please use left lane after clearing last stop on the east end of the bridge.
#8 Line 8 is back to regular route at 15th & Killingsworth - construction has ended early - advise to hold back at traffic light as signs will remain in place for a time.
JOE ROSE STORY ON TEXTING DRIVERS
He has redacted complaints on here, cost the Oregonian $319.32
TriMet 'reminds' drivers about texting, using cell phones as complaints stack up
TriMet 'reminds' drivers about texting, using cell phones as complaints stack up
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Drivers texting/talking on cell phones back in the news
Seems this story is manufactured to me because the incidents are not well documented. It's still stupid of any driver that does do it. No sympathy from me
MCFARLANE SAYS HE NEEDS TO BRING UNION HEALTH CARE COSTS TO 'MARKET' VALUE
Interesting that the man that runs a transit agency is talking about our benefits and 'markets'
Let's take a look at some of the 'market' salaries and compare Mcfarlanes
As reported in the Oregonian newspaper, the official mayoral salary for Portland was $118,273 in the budget year ending June 30, 2010. According to the Oregon government salary database maintained by the Oregonian, that salary did not include any premium pay or overtime. For perspective, the mayoral salary is substantially higher than the estimated Portland per capita income of $29,147, as well as the estimated Portland median household income of $50,203.
Let's take a look at some of the 'market' salaries and compare Mcfarlanes
As reported in the Oregonian newspaper, the official mayoral salary for Portland was $118,273 in the budget year ending June 30, 2010. According to the Oregon government salary database maintained by the Oregonian, that salary did not include any premium pay or overtime. For perspective, the mayoral salary is substantially higher than the estimated Portland per capita income of $29,147, as well as the estimated Portland median household income of $50,203.
GOTTA LOVE TRIMETS PUBLIC RECORDS DEPT
These A-Holes in charge of Trimess just forked over $70k to two attorneys for a few hours work to white wash the Trimet public records department.
Funny how there is always money available for the things that Trimet management wants, but zero for the public. This tax payer funded agency that exists on the backs of the tax payers has the nerve to charge $40/hr to access public records. One more obscenity that citizens can do nothing about.
Funny how there is always money available for the things that Trimet management wants, but zero for the public. This tax payer funded agency that exists on the backs of the tax payers has the nerve to charge $40/hr to access public records. One more obscenity that citizens can do nothing about.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
GLOBAL SHERPA IS STEALING THE NAME OF AN ETHNIC PEOPLE
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| Sherpa family |
How ethical is it for these people to name themselves after the SHERPA PEOPLE?
GLOBAL SHERPA TRIMET PARTNERSHIP ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF TRIMET CRONYISM
Well, why make $160k when you can make a million by 'owing' something, like a piece of Global Sherpa.
No wonder Trimet is dragging its feet on the tap card technology, they are letting one of their cronies reap in some $$$$$ first. Basically Global Sherpa has at least a 5 year exclusivity contract with Trimet with absolutely no competition guaranteed. Of course people at Global Sherpa deny any sort of 'collusion' and her connection with them 'happened by accident'
Sure it did, we believe you, we were all born yesterday.
It has also come to my attention that another former Trimet employee who was in the IT department also has a stake in this.
It's how they roll, cronyism.
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECK' HEALTH INSURANCE
operators/retirees temporarily began paying more
TRIMET BALONEY
See how they attempt to make news out of the most mundane events?
Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge Naming Committee members announced | TriMet News and Media Releases
Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge Naming Committee members announced | TriMet News and Media Releases
CLASSIC TWEETS
@AlYourPalster @TriMetStalker @PDXtrimetrider A perfect graphic for a perfect @trimet Bullshit event! pic.twitter.com/9etmMcw0ra
— PDX Transit Lane (@pdxtransitlane) August 28, 2013
TRIMET MARKETING FAILS
They put up a picture of the Portland Streetcar to announce the Trimet mobile phone app.
Pretty stupid error and illustrates how little the marketing department knows about transit. For those of you that don't know, the street car is not owned by trimet
Mobile Ticketing Launch Party
Pretty stupid error and illustrates how little the marketing department knows about transit. For those of you that don't know, the street car is not owned by trimet
Mobile Ticketing Launch Party
Seattle bus drivers go on the attack facing same issues as Trimet operators
Factors beyond the control of Operators have created an explosion of
complaints. These factors include: rising demand for public transit;
cuts in service hours; “schedule efficiencies” that save Metro millions
of dollars, delay service and overcrowd buses putting more stress on
drivers; ever-changing fare structures and policies; cuts in Customer
Service, bus-cleaning and mechanical support. In general Operators are
being asked to do more with less, placing unrealistic expectations of
“customer service” delivery on front line workers. Operators are being
turned into frontline scapegoats for a transit system under pressure –
at a cost to our health and safety.
Bus drivers’ petition says job stress getting worse | The Today File | Seattle Times
Bus drivers’ petition says job stress getting worse | The Today File | Seattle Times
SO TRIMET WAS NOT THE FIRST TO DO MOBILE TICKETING
Of course they lied, because they always lie. Oh wait, Trimet has it so you can use it on buses and trains so that makes them the first. Gimme a freaking break!
MBTA already has this going
MBTA already has this going
Trimet throws a bone at bus service
My how things change. Just a year ago they slashed service and raised fares and issued dire warnings.
OPAL called the fake budget crisis, nobody listened.
I think the only reason Mcfarlane added service is that he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Can't very plead poverty after handing out a million dollars in raises to people that hardly needed it.
(Don't forget, Trimet will be slashing service by 70% ten years from now, but what the hey, they can do whatever they want and there is not one damn thing any member of the public can do about it.)
TriMet adding new Sherwood-Tigard bus line, improving 17 routes (poll) | OregonLive.com
OPAL called the fake budget crisis, nobody listened.
I think the only reason Mcfarlane added service is that he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Can't very plead poverty after handing out a million dollars in raises to people that hardly needed it.
(Don't forget, Trimet will be slashing service by 70% ten years from now, but what the hey, they can do whatever they want and there is not one damn thing any member of the public can do about it.)
TriMet adding new Sherwood-Tigard bus line, improving 17 routes (poll) | OregonLive.com
HB
Comment on Portland Transit Lane regarding locations of fare missions:
In this climate of “fare is fare” that’s being run by the company; we have to take a closer look at this situation and draw a couple of things by this, one: the target area and the population and the ability to pay fares that are on the rise consistently as service is lessen, two: what type of impact that this will have on the communities the company services.
In this climate of “fare is fare” that’s being run by the company; we have to take a closer look at this situation and draw a couple of things by this, one: the target area and the population and the ability to pay fares that are on the rise consistently as service is lessen, two: what type of impact that this will have on the communities the company services.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
MAX FAQ's
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| and here’s how that area looks as of this month. |
In with the new, disregard the old
HELLO TRIMET EMPLOYEE WE HAVE AN AWARD FOR YOU
If they actually meant that they would come out into the field and present the award to the operator in this fashion "Hi Operator X, we want to present this award to you and thank you for the great job your doing" and then leave. Simple and fast. The fact that the managers want operators to take their personal time and go see them is very indicative of the management at Trimet. It all about them.
It would also be nice if they actually gave the best performing operators a little something, say a $50 gift certificate since the best operators cost the company zero in claims. But Trimet doesn't do that anymore. They spend millions and millions on boondoggles but can't find the loose change to hand tiny awards to operators
When the operator finally made time to go back into the office there were no managers around and the secretary took it out of the file cabinet and handed it to the operator. And they can't put it in the mail because 'they care'?
Can't beat the Trimet propaganda machine
TriMet: Rider Photo Shoots (Say "Cheese!")
Monday, August 26, 2013
LATEST SEEN AND HEARD ON TRIMET
A RETIREE WRITES ME
CLASSIC TWEETS
http://t.co/VjHWCeQlsU 10am on a goddamn wednesday @trimet you are out of your fucking minds
— pizza crust punk (@anthonypants) August 27, 2013
CLASSIC TWEETS
.@PierceTransit takes pride in innovative natural gas buses. Meanwhile @TriMet brags about ticket printers that are already obsolete
— Alex H (@AJH1993) August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-RIDERSHIP PLUNGE
Fact: We actually lost about 3 million rides last year, primarily on MAX due to the elimination of the Free Rail Zone.
Is this something to be proud of? Are they saying this is a good thing? They don't provide an explanation as to what they have gained by this move. It appears they have gained nothing but a loss in ridership.
This brings into question the management decision to eliminate fareless square. It also brings into question making Trimet unaffordable for people that were taking short trips in downtown Portland.
If Trimet was actually held accountable for their screw ups this would be under investigation right now. It appears that this was a horrible management miscalculation on ending fare less square and not providing an affordable alternative.
It's another Trimet fail that the management won't be held accountable for.
Is this something to be proud of? Are they saying this is a good thing? They don't provide an explanation as to what they have gained by this move. It appears they have gained nothing but a loss in ridership.
This brings into question the management decision to eliminate fareless square. It also brings into question making Trimet unaffordable for people that were taking short trips in downtown Portland.
If Trimet was actually held accountable for their screw ups this would be under investigation right now. It appears that this was a horrible management miscalculation on ending fare less square and not providing an affordable alternative.
It's another Trimet fail that the management won't be held accountable for.
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'- PAID LIFE INSURANCE
Fact: This claim comes in a chart entitled “Pension Class Comparison” which may confuse the reader about whether this is retiree or active employee life insurance, or both. Retiree life insurance for union employees is $10,000 and non-union employees (including executives) receive $7,500. Active employee life insurance for union employees is $25,000 and the coverage for all non-union employees is $150,000. In addition, executives and the general manager have group supplemental life insurance coverage of $500,000.
Retiree life insurance for union employees is $10,000 and non-union employees (including executives) receive $7,500
Active employee life insurance for union employees is $25,000
coverage for all non-union employees is $150,000.
In addition, executives and the general manager have group supplemental life insurance coverage of $500,000.
Is this Trimet's idea of a defense of their obviously discriminatory life insurance coverages?
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-THE MYTH OF ROCK AND ROLL
Fact: Every vehicle on the road, not just a bus, has blind spots or visual barriers. Our operators are trained to “rock and roll” and move to see around any temporary visual barriers, which is the recognized technique in the transit industry
We are going to use as evidence against Trimet's claim Dan Christensen's (highly esteemed writer and bus driver followed by literally tens of thousands of people) video that he made immediately after the Sandi Day incident
We are going to use as evidence against Trimet's claim Dan Christensen's (highly esteemed writer and bus driver followed by literally tens of thousands of people) video that he made immediately after the Sandi Day incident
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-SEATTLE METRO VS TRIMET
Trimet's HUGE error here is saying that Metro has no transfers Metro has owl service and express service for a smaller higher cost
Adult age 19-64 =$2.25 (0ff peak all zone) $2.50 (peak one zone) $3.00 (peak 2 zone)(Trimet=$2.50 beats Metro during peak hours only)
Senior+disabled =75¢ (Trimet $1.00 25% higher)
Youth age 6-18=$1.25 (trimet $1.65)
Let's see how passes stack up:
Adult pass is $81 (Trimet=$100)
Senior/disabled is $27 (Trimet= $26)
Youth is $45 (Trimet=$30)
The only real difference is that Seattle has peak hour fares
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-AC TRANSIT VS TRIMET
Adult (19-64) Pass $2.10 + 25 cents if you want a transfer total $2.35 (Trimet=$2.50)
Youth (5-18) Pass $1.05 + 25 cents if you want a transfer total $1.30 (TRIMET=$1.65)
Senior (65+) & Disabled Pass $1.05 + 25 cents for transfer (TRIMET=$1.00 actually better than AC Transit)
Let's look at how AC Transit passes stack up with TRIMET
Adult $80 (Trimet=$100)
Youth $20 (Trimet=$30, considerably higher)
Disabled $20 (Trimet=$26, that's a big difference when you are on a fixed income)
Trimet loses again, how much higher is the cost of living in the SF bay area than Portland?
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-SF MUNI VS TRIMET
In doing the research for this segment the first thing that shouted out at me was this:
Late night transfers issued by drivers on surface vehicles after 8:30 pm are valid until 5:00 am. (This is what OPAL has been asking for)
Regular Adult $2.00 includes transfer. (Trimet $2.50 or 20% higher, living in SF is much more expensive than living in Portland)
Now lets take a look at what MUNI riders pay for passes:
Regular Adult $66.00, all MUNI Vehicles ( TRIMET=$100; 34% lower than Trimet despite the much higher cost of living
$76.00 if you want unlimited BART access also (still 24% lower than TRIMET)
Low Income (Lifeline) Pass $33 (Trimet=$100 no such animal exists in the light rail paradise)
Youth (5-17), Senior (65+), Disabled, Medicare $23.00 (TRIMET=$26 for disabled and $30 for high school or less)
Strike two, TRIMET is distorting again.
FACT CHECKING TRIMET'S 'FACT CHECKS'-LA METRO VS TRIMET
| Cost of living in LA much higher than Portland |
LA METRO- $1.50 base fare plus 35 cents metro to muni transfer. (lower than Trimet)
But where LA Metro completely decimated Trimet is on the passes.
EZ transit pass Good for travel on Metro bus, Metro Rail and many additional carriers $84 (Trimet is $100)
Senior/Disabled/Medicare 30-Day Pass - $14 (Trimet $26 that's almost double for people on fixed incomes)
College/Vocational 30-Day Pass $36 (Trimet $100- no reduced fare for college students, that's 300% more than LA Metro)
Students (K-8 and 9-12) 30-Day Pass - $24 (Trimet $30, or 20% higher)
As always, Trimet distorts facts to attempt to 'prove' their point of view, and here we see just how messed up that is.
Forgiving Trimet
The City of Destiny - real public transit vehicles that aren't 23 years old, don't look like they've gone through a battle zone, and have customer focused amenities rather than hard plastic and metal seats.
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| Pierce Transit C40LF, led by a Sound Transit D4505 |
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| Sound Transit (operated by Pierce Transit) MCI D4505, used for ST Express buses between Tacoma and Seattle |
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| Bombardier bi-level coaches, used for Sounder commuter trains between Tacoma, Seattle and Everett |
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Does the TriMet Fact Check make the mark?
Re FACT CHECK: ATU ads miss the mark
need to realign benefits with the market.
What has TriMet done to attempt to reduce the actual price of those benefits, and not just the funding?
True; in 2004 an operator struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk in the Rose Quarter and he died
Are we sure we're not talking about Sandy Day here?
The picture taken by the ATU is closer to the window than an operator would be and does not accurately represent an operator’s true view through the windshield.
What about the videos from Seattle that show a family magically appearing from behind a pillar?
We are launching a peer review of all buses – old and new – to assess our methods to mitigate visual barriers on buses
So you think something may be wrong?
The improved front face of the new buses provides for greater visibility and safety
That doesn't seem correct given that it results in additional obstructing pillars and small side windows that must also be look through. Example picture
more aerodynamic
Does this really help with vehicles that usually don't travel fast? And what about the extra weight and distance of the extension?
No other buses in our fleet are being updated with this safety feature.
I don't think there was a claim of that.
[TriMet's fare is higher] "especially for the disabled and elderly"
Looking at the table, this appears to be somewhat true. Seattle (even on Sound Transit), San Francisco and Los Angeles fares are shown to be at least 25% less.
TriMet’s flat fare rate is on par with peer agencies on the west coast.
Then why does the table show that every other local transit agency (Sound Transit is exclusively express service) has a lower fare?
All others are one ride only or apply additional fees for transfers.
Even with the transfer charge, trips in Oakland are cheaper according to the table. Moreover, the table is incorrect regarding Seattle. Metro issues paper transfers and I'm pretty sure ORCA provides credit for original fare paid when transferring.
We actually lost about 3 million rides last year
So the loss is actually worse.
ATU members are "paying more for health insurance than TriMet management"
TriMet actually acknowledges this.
temporarily began paying more...until a new contract is in place
I'm not sure "temporarily" is correct and tells the full story.
upcoming contract yet to be negotiated
Who's fault is that?
with more than 35 different fare instruments
Even with the elimination of zone passes, there are still many different ones. And what about the elimination of Fareless Square? At least on rail, the process of not checking fares in the free area should still be the same regardless of payment method (or if tap-off was implemented, valid rides could easily be set to $0 like I believe Salt Lake City does).
wage increases have far outpaced the cost of living since 2000.
What about before then? What about when new passed-on costs for medical expenses are subtracted?
The average monthly executive pension is $6,289.69.
So some people are indeed better off.
non-union employees qualified after 5 years.
And why was this the case?
Union and non-union employees are eligible for pension at the same early retirement age of 55.
I thought union employees did have to be 58.
Active employee life insurance for union employees is $25,000 and the coverage for all non-union employees is $150,000.
That's a big difference there. And which group has higher-risk jobs?
In addition, executives and the general manager have group supplemental life insurance coverage of $500,000.
That sounds awful nice.
non-union average pay and benefits of $103,803
But the comparison was between "top management" and "most employees", not union and non-union.
TRIMET STILL HAS ITS 2010 'RAIL-VOLUTION' PAGES UP
Check out the tours they did:
http://trimet.org/railvolution
Especially tour 8 where they say the Green Line goes to the front door of United Streetcar then note how there's going to be a charter bus to get from MAX to there:
http://trimet.org/railvolution
A VERY SAD BLAST FROM THE PAST
The death of Donia Garcia-Her funeral was held the same day as her retirement party was scheduled. It shook me up big time.
Friday, August 23, 2013
MANAGEMENT CRAP FROM LAST YEAR
I like to illustrate the complete LUNACY of the current Trimet executive 'team' lest people lose focus
WELCOME TO PORTLAND AND ITS WORLD FAMOUS LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM
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| Trimet's world renowned incredible unbelievable Max Train |
In celebration of our wonderful luck being from Portland and having this wonderful world renowned system at our feet we have provided 10 very typical episodes of ANOTHER DAY ON TRIMET MAX which are below this post. Visitors from around the world can become accustomed to riding our world renowned light rail system by viewing all 10 episodes below and meeting the type of people you will encounter while riding our world renowned light rail! Remember, riding Portland's world renowned light rail system is not for the weak of heart!
LATEST SEEN AND HEARD ON TRIMET
Thursday, August 22, 2013
FUNNY THAT MCFARLANE IS WHINING ABOUT THE TRIMET NO STRIKE CLAUSE
Well every single other transit district in the nation that has had strikes wants no strike clauses added.
Although Mcfarlane may have been lying about that in yet another example of his two face maneuvering.
Valley leaders seek strike-proof bus service
Although Mcfarlane may have been lying about that in yet another example of his two face maneuvering.
Valley leaders seek strike-proof bus service
TRIMET AND ITS GRANDIOSE PLANS
Don't ya know Trimet is going to be everything to everybody? From a year ago:
Grandiose plan for east side here
Grandiose plan for east side here
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
VANCOUVER MAYOR WANTS LIGHT RAIL
“Unfortunately, the C-Tran board is dysfunctional and seems to have lost
sight of the difference between urban and rural public transit,”
Leavitt said.
That was news to Councilor Jack Burkman.
“The mayor is speaking for himself and not for council,” Burkman said. “We have not talked about this.”
THE COLUMBIAN
That was news to Councilor Jack Burkman.
“The mayor is speaking for himself and not for council,” Burkman said. “We have not talked about this.”
THE COLUMBIAN
DON'T MISS TRIMET'S AWARD WINNING ON LINE PROPAGANDA MAG
Hard to beat a public agency that has unlimited tax payer funds at its disposal and such a high paid staff of executives to crank this stuff out.
http://t.co/6mRF6gtew4
http://t.co/6mRF6gtew4
TRIMET STILL HASN'T GIVEN OPAL AN ANSWER ON THE 3 HOUR TRANSFER
The arrogant a-holes who rule Trimet as their personal monarchy spent $70k (they always come up with money when they want something) for that mostly white wash report on their defective public records request system. (lawyers evaluating other lawyers)
But when it comes to OPAL's request to allow a 3 hour transfer, they are 'still studying' the proposal.
The lies and deceit that are perpetuated by the top executives at Trimet are so monumental, so outrageous, how is it they get to continue as if nothing is wrong?
Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.
Thomas Jefferson
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Sickening but cute little tourist movie about trimet
I have never met a tourist who didn't think Trimet was the most wonderful thing since the automobile.
Portland is a great tourist town, It's got a great facade, they worked very hard to create that illusion.
Silly video here
Portland is a great tourist town, It's got a great facade, they worked very hard to create that illusion.
Silly video here
LATEST SEEN AND HEARD ON TRIMET
But not seen on TRIMET'S HOW WE ROLL BLOG!
TRIMET SCANNER TWEETS HERE!
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This morning on
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AC TRANSIT DRIVERS ARE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS
Watching the AC Transit drivers in THIS video is so uplifting for me. Trimet operators are in a completely opposite head space.
But the AC Transit drivers actually get it, its so nice to see that some transit professionals understand some things are worth fighting for
But the AC Transit drivers actually get it, its so nice to see that some transit professionals understand some things are worth fighting for
TRIMET BOARD MEETINGS ON CABLE ACCESS
The following 5 dates are scheduled for the program "TriMet Board of
Directors August briefing", Project: TriMet Board Meetings.
+ Thu 09/12/13 01:00 PM Channel 23
+ Wed 09/11/13 06:00 PM Channel 22
+ Sun 09/08/13 05:00 PM Channel 11
+ Fri 09/06/13 11:00 AM Channel 22
+ Wed 09/04/13 08:30 AM Channel 23