TriMet removes another bus shelter

Another TriMet bus shelter, this time located on the property of TriMet's #1 transit generator (Portland State University), served by three bus lines, including one Frequent Service bus line (12-Barbur/Sandy) and one regular service line (44 Capitol Highway), plus the 1-Vermont...

For all you TriMet apologists...please list your excuse as to why this bus shelter (there actually was once TWO shelters here!) was removed...

Trimet is safe. Really?

TriMet Security Failure from TriMet Security Failure on Vimeo.

Phil Stanford on the "the city that works"

No doubt about it, Portland is 'The City that Works.' It's our official motto, and it's plastered on the side of every car and truck the city owns - so you know it has to be true.
The only question, of course, is: For whom?
When you get right down to it, just who do all these expensive light-rail lines, aerial trams, high-rise condo developments and proposed convention-center hotels really benefit?

Why do people like Mcfarlane get such absurd pensions and salaries

The answer is simple, and it has nothing to do with providing transit to the local citizenry.

It's the millions and millions of dollars that pour through Trimet.

The 'important' part of Trimet that functions in near total secrecy.

Trimet still in dark ages when it comes to social media

Not as 'great' as they would have you believe

Over at the CTA they actively engage riders on twitter, here at Trimet its very spotty. One day you'll see whoever is behind the Trimet twitter screen engaging riders then you won't see them again for days. And if there is an actual service disruption the Trimet twitter goes into hiding.

 Trimet has always been scared of public involvement. They've done their best to ignore all negative public comments. They have attempted to corral all the riders into their own little barn, called the 'riders club' in order to use their massive propaganda machine to bend their minds towards the Trimet cult (I'm not kidding about this)

In other cities the transit districts are not so paranoid of their riders. Boston comes to mind, and now we see that the CTA isn't afraid of engaging riders in a forum that they can't control.

Trimet brags about their technological advances, like transit tracker and cell phone applications.
When it comes to social media Trimet lags way behind.
It's interesting because Portland has one of the most active community of twitter transit tweeters  in the country.
Trimet is obviously scared to actively engage the twitter activists. So much about Trimet is built on myth, and they greedily do everything in their power to keep that myth alive.

KPTV report on latest Trimet death

Have a merry Trimet Christmas

T-Shirt issued 15 years ago to some Merlo operators

Bike Portland coverage of the latest Trimet fatality

TriMet bus kills man who had been walking bike in bike lane (UPDATED) - BikePortland.org

Running after buses that have already left the stop is risky business

It's actually a very common accident, I read about these sorts of accidents all the time. People trying to chase down a departing bus slip and fall.
 By sheer bad luck the fall takes them under the rear wheels. 

A TriMet bus sits along the roadside after an incident that killed 60-year-old Elias French near Clackamas Town Center on Wednesday evening. (Oregon State Police)

Print

By Ian K. Kullgren | ikullgren@oregonian.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on November 27, 2014 at 4:16 PM, updated November 27, 2014 at 6:41 PM

Oregon State Police have identified the victim in a fatal bus accident that occurred near Clackamas Town Center on Wednesday evening.
Police identified the victim as 60-year-old Elias French, who reportedly slipped under the bus' back wheels just as it was about to pull away from a stop just north of Clackamas Town Center on 82^nd Avenue at Causey Way.
Officers at the scene learned French had been pushing a bicycle and began banging on the side of the bus. The driver began pulling away, and French fell to the ground and was crushed by the bus' rear wheels.
The driver, 46-year-old Jason Wilhelm, has been put on administrative leave while the OSP investigates the incident, Trimet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt said. He will also receive mental health counseling.
"This was a devastating incident not only for the loved ones of the person who died but also for the operator," Altstadt said. "The operate was very upset and emotional last night, so obviously he would not be driving today."
Troopers have been interviewing passengers and others who were behind the bus at the time. The incident is still under investigation.
-- Ian K. Kullgren Police identify victim in fatal TriMet bus accident near Clackamas Town Center | OregonLive.com

Oh Brother!!!

And Neil should be thankful for his tax payer funded salary of $110/hr.

 His 12 weeks of vacation.

A nice big fat bonus the day he decides to step down as exalted ruler of Trimet of $98,000 cash 

A nice fat check for the rest of his life of $427/day when he abdicates the throne.

(It's nice to be a stooge of the oligarchs, at least financially, hey its the way of the world we live in)

Watch as the sock puppets give Neil Mcfarlane unending praise and a raise

We all know who the board of directors are. They are the sock puppets appointed by the governor to do the bidding of the Trimet general manager, who is the person in charge of everything that happens at Trimet. They are basically appointed as cheerleaders for the general manager.

Public satisfaction is at the lowest point in Trimet history yet these puppets extol the wonderfulness of Neil. The Trimet operators I know have the lowest morale since I have been associated with the organization yet the praise of Neil Mcfarlane is never ending.

For the first time in history the Secretary of State was instructed to perform an audit of Trimet, all under  the reign of Neil Mcfarlane.

All we see here is the true nature of the government we live under. It doesn't matter how much they fail (hell even the leaders of the national security state got commendations and raises after the biggest security failure in American history,-9/11) they will always get commendations and raises. Our government does not represent us, it hasn't in decades. Trimet is not unique here, this is standard operating procedure in our culture now.

Trimet bus hits and kills bicyclist

TRIMET DISPATCH HERE

You can get a Trimet lift bus for $100

Bar None Auction Auction Catalog - Commercial Truck and Heavy Equipment Auction Auctions Online | Proxibid

Or this C-Tran bus for $500!

Classic Tweets

#TriMet poo bus. You know they will poo on you to get what they want. Ask their employees/retirees. #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/hdFVUzwHxs

— Daily Cyclist (@DailyCyclist) November 26, 2014

How do u get out of Trimet training and not know where Willow Creek is?

Trimet dispatch Here

ATU757 BLAST FROM THE PAST

TRI-MET CONTINUES FALL DRIVER SIGN-UP IN SPITE OF UNION COMPLAINTS

View Article

Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - August 6, 1988

Author: STAN FEDERMAN - of the Oregonian Staff

Readability: >12 grade level (Lexile: 1360)

With contract negotiations only 10 days away, Tri-Met and its union are once again growling at each other, this time over driver sign-ups for bus routes for the fall.

The union says it is rejecting the fall sign-up because of many contractual violations by Tri-Met and union concerns for operator and passenger safety.

MAX chaos to continue into 2015

KPTV reports on the continuing chaos with Trimet's 'world class' light rail system

Pretty sad when a bus driver doesn't know where 82nd MAX is

Trimet dispatch Here

What Trimet bus drivers put up with

yesterday, #trimet rider was threatening others and beating bus windows http://t.co/kOgrIFhe5e http://t.co/o816b2Oala http://t.co/yoI6DhIWHb

— TriMet Scanner (@trimetscanner) November 25, 2014

Trimet actually sent out an alert about the Ferguson situation

Mcfarlane responded to my board testimony

Sock Puppets meetings are now available at TrimetTV

For years we had to bring these meetings to the public at our own expense. 

Finally after the Secretary of State did that mostly bullshit audit Trimet decided to take that duty over. 
If you can bear watching this silly staged show of the Trimet cheerleader squad you can click the links below

PART 1

PART 2

Confusion on Trimet employees who have double coverage

Greetings,

I would like information on co-pays and deductibles for myself and my wife being covered under each other’s insurance plan. We are both employed by TriMet are planning to use Regence for our coverage. We want to know how being double covered affects our deductibles and co-pays along with any other information you may have on double coverage.  I asked at one of the information tables and was referred to your department.

Also, can we opt for two different plans and cover each other under the plans? For example my wife chooses Regence and I choose Kaiser? How would this impact our coverage?

It would be nice if the individuals at the tables could answer these and other questions.

Regards,
-----------------------------------------------

For more details information about dual coverage and how it is going to be process, you can call Regence at 503 225 5336. They are the one who process claims for TriMet and should be able to help your with your inquiry.

If you have different plans, your own plan is going to be your primary. So, if you choose Kaiser as your medical provider, then Kaiser is your primary insurance.

Kaiser does not have coordination of benefits with Regence so more likely if you were to use the Regence plan under your spouse, it will get billed to Kaiser and then it will be denied and then it can be sent to Regence as your secondary coverage.

----------------------------------------------------

If TriMet is implementing these forced changes upon union members I think a reasonable expectation is for TriMet to have answers for it’s employees.  Obviously I am wrong.

ATU757 BLAST FROM THE PAST

A QUESTION OF CONTROL WHO'S RUNNING TRI-MET ANYWAY?

View Article

Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - November 8, 1995

Author: GORDON OLIVER - of the Oregonian Staff

Readability: 10-12 grade level (Lexile: 1200)

Summary: The transit agency's chief denies that improved relations with the union have compromised management's authority

Two years ago, it didn't take much to draw fighting words out of transit union leader Ron Heintzman.

During one dispute with Tri-Met General Manager Tom Walsh over pension benefits for widows of retired union members, Heintzman ordered picket signs with the slogan ``Walsh Welches on Widows.'' The squabble was settled without picketing, but Heintzman kept the sign in his office as a trophy of the union's tough negotiating style.

For his part, Walsh at one point openly admitted to the Tri-Met board that he simply didn't know how to get along with the union, which represents about 1,800 drivers and other employees.

The light rail con

Public Transit Is Going Extinct, But Toy Trains Still Snooker Cities

But are light rails and trolleys what we need to rebuild world-class American cities? The easy-going liberals of Portland relish that their city is consistently hailed as having a “world-class” transit system, complete with buses, light rail, and streetcars. Portland sent its first “sleek and modern Portland Streetcar“ on a maiden voyage in 2001.  Fans of the streetcar have declared the city’s light-rail system, “MAX Light Rail,” as (of course) world-class.

ATU757 BLAST FROM THE PAST

TRI-MET UNION OFFICIALS SUE TWO MEMBERS

View Article

Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - July 5, 1999

Author: GORDON OLIVER - The Oregonian

Readability: >12 grade level (Lexile: 1360)

Summary: The libel suit stems from the bus drivers' criticism of the leaders' financial abilities and negotiating skills

A bitter feud within the union that represents Tri-Met bus drivers and rail operators has spilled out of the union hall with a lawsuit filed by the top three officials against two members.

Amalgamated Transit Union Division 757 officials, including president Ronald Heintzman, business representative Rufus Fuller and secretary-treasurer Thomas Wallace, have accused two Tri-Met drivers of defamation and libel in a lawsuit filed last week in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

The drivers, Samuel F. Schwarz of Portland and Gerald "Red" Worland of Milwaukie, have written open letters to union members and their employers harshly criticizing the union leaders' spending practices, financial accounting and contract negotiating abilities. They also accuse Heintzman of making derogatory comments about union members. Worland also raises questions about possible ballot tampering in a close union vote on a new contract.

Shirley Block announces her candicacy for ATU757 President

C-Tran/Trimet contract

For several months, the C-Tran Board of Directors has discussed its controversial light rail contract with TriMet mostly in closed executive sessions.
A surprise motion by Clark County Commissioner David Madore prompted a rare public discussion at this week’s meeting, while board members awkwardly straddled the line between what to keep confidential and what to talk about openly.
Immediately after another executive session on the subject Tuesday, Vancouver Mayor and C-Tran board chair Tim Leavitt started to wrap up the meeting, seemingly expecting no further debate.
He began, “No formal action from the C-Tran board regarding the TriMet operations and maintenance of light rail contract, so we’ll–”
“Excuse me, Mr. Chairman?” Madore jumped in. “I would like to make a motion.”
Leavitt, with a less-than-pleased look on his face, yielded the floor to Madore. The Republican commissioner moved that C-Tran send a letter to TriMet stating that C-Tran considers the agreement “null and void.” Washougal City Councilor Connie Jo Freeman offered a second.
Some background: C-Tran earlier this year sent a letter to TriMet asking that the two agencies jointly terminate the contract tied to the failed Columbia River Crossing project. Last week, TriMet responded by flatly denying that request.
Madore’s motion would have upped the ante, and possibly resulted in a legal dispute between the two transit agencies.
Vancouver City Councilor Jack Burkman said he would oppose the motion, but wouldn’t comment further to avoid disclosing what was discussed in executive session. Madore said his motion was a “decisive action” not connected with that discussion.
The motion ultimately failed by a 5-3 vote. That’s when things got interesting.
“Didn’t we just agree to send a letter?” Freeman asked, apparently referring to the executive session. “So is this going to undo that?”
“What did you just say?” said Vancouver City Councilor Bart Hansen, looking toward Freeman.
“Nothing,” Madore responded.
“Didn’t you just say something?” Hansen said.
“In this motion,” Madore said.
“Be careful what you say,” said Hansen, still looking toward Freeman. “I’m saying that politely. I’m not trying to be — just be very careful what you say. You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you disclose what happened in executive session.”
In Oregon, state law allows reporters to attend executive sessions. Sometimes I wish Washington would follow suit.
C-Tran board publicly, awkwardly discusses light rail deal - All Politics is Local

My favorite Trimet facebook comments

 TriMet Facebook

Latest "Best of the Trimet tweets"

The wonderful Trimet cell phone app gives plenty of heartache to Trimet riders

Transit riders of  Portlandia take to twitter to express their  feelings about  Portland's 'world famous' transit system  (Known to the locals as THE TRIMESS ) And if you want to know what's REALLY going on at Trimet check out TRIMETSCANNER

Trimet scheduling department really needs a shake up

This happens way to often to be acceptable. This is why people don't use public transit and will never use public transit. This is why bus drivers are mean and rude. You have all these buses running this late as often as Trimet does and you have an agency that is a failure. Just give Mcfarlane another raise, the worse things are at Trimet the more money he makes.

Trimet governance is a total joke

Trimet bus drivers on YouTube

"Trimet don't have a backup"

Everything for Mcfarlane-nothing for the drivers

A pal of mine just got 2 commendations from riders on their bus.

They lamented how there is no longer gift cards for operators who do a great job at Trimet

I remember when Trimet removed those  little perks due to 'budget problems'

Well the budget problems are over but Trimet has still removed all those little perks that drivers would get for their superior performance.

I guess all of that sort of thing needs to go to King Neil now, for his current administration and his future retirement.

After all, Neil is much more important that some bus driver serving the public day after day.

 Neil gets annual salary of $229,000.  

$97,179 cash payment on the day he retires.

$12,800 every month for life when he retires

But Trimet can't afford $25 gift certificates for Bus operators

Bus gets T-boned

Police: Driver t-bones TriMet bus | KOIN.com

Meeting with Bruce Hansen-ATU President

I haven't seen Bruce since leaving Trimet employ. I forgot what a nice guy he is. One thing I can say about Bruce, he does try to do the right thing.. He wanted me to hear it from him what his logic was for accepting the deal with Trimet. 

And he is willing to meet one on one with any member of ATU757 if they don't understand what's going on.
That says a lot about the character of the man.

I am  programmed  very closely to vice president Hunt.  Both of us have been fighting with Trimet officials so long that neither of us can envision any sort of honest cooperation anymore. Both of us suffer from the "victory or death" syndrome.

I don't trust them, I never will trust them but I imagine that Bruce is most likely correct about one thing, the  loss of  health coverage from one of the best in the country to just another average policy was inevitable.

It's a shame that the retirees had to take this huge hit, the company did indeed lie to us about our retirement package. Our retirement package shrunk significantly while Mcfarlanes got much richer. And so goes the world right now. 

The public enjoys watching public employees getting eaten alive. 

The mainstream media has successfully infiltrated the minds of our fellow citizens into believing the race to the bottom is good for them.

I also agree with Bruce that ATU757 is in a much more desirable position if we end up with another arbitration.
ATU757 has taken two consecutive hits in these contract negotiations, a 'fair' arbitrator would most likely take that into account.

By entering into an agreement now rather that fighting it till the bitter end saves the union and its members (currently working at Trimet) heartache on multiple fronts beyond the health care component.

  I still continue to believe that ATU757 should have never agreed to give up the right to strike. The reason we are in the position that we all find ourselves today is that our union (Jon Hunt) gave our leverage away. With out the power to strike there is in reality no union. 

In the end President Hansen emphasized that this ordeal is over for now. There is no going back. The contract was approved by a vast majority of the members that voted so it is totally legitimate.

There is no point in discussing this any longer.

Solidarity is essential from here

Legalization of marijuana means nothing if you're a Trimet employee

At least if your a union employee. 

(do non union employees get drug tested I wonder)

Trimet version of my speech to the board

Don't forget the crap that Trimet tried to pull in the past

The Trimet Board of Directors

They have one agenda, and that is to support the Trimet General Manager.

The are appointed specifically for that purpose. 

Basically they are just cheerleaders for the general manager. 
They are accountable to nobody but the governor and the governor is one of the leaders of the Portland Light rail Mafia.
No matter how much public outcry may occur they can ignore all of it. 
The public is not important.

Anybody that thinks anything else is seriously deluded. 

They acknowledge no criticism, they say nothing negative and are completely useless for the public and employees as advocates.
They gave away the store to Fred Hansen and now Neil Mcfarlane.
Until such time as control of Trimet is wrestled from the governor nothing will change.

Trimet ridership up- thanks to bus (again)

MAX BASICALLY FLAT

WES FALLS FOR SECOND MONTH IN A ROW!

But the good old reliable (sometimes) bus does most of the work for Trimet

The Mcfarlane money story keeps going and going

 And the sock puppets keep on giving away the tax payers money.
What a freaking joke Trimet governance is.
Like I said at the meeting, the only thing that phony board cares about is the executive class of the management. Everything else is expendable.
This is not unusual by the way, transit executives are getting rich at multiple agencies in the country.
 American public transit is a train wreck but that doesn't stop the people at the top from stuffing their pockets. 

When the TriMet board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to sweeten General Manager Neil McFarlane's paycheck, it approved a two-piece package that will contribute to one of the most generous retirement deals in the transit agency's history.

First, there was the 3.4 percent pay increase -- the 62-year-old transit leader's second in two years -- boosting his annual salary to $229,000. On top of that, the board awarded McFarlane two more weeks of vacation during the life of the new two-year contract.
Why does a transit executive who already receives nine weeks of vacation a year need an extra 80 hours?
At TriMet, the general manager is not eligible for annual bonuses. However, in a system where McFarlane is allowed to stash and cash out up to 1,500 hours of unused vacation at retirement, paid time off can wind up being a bonus by another name.

In fact, McFarlane, who worked at the transit agency for 19 years before becoming general manager in 2010, has already saved up 889 hours – or 20 weeks -- of unused vacation. That would amount to a lump-sum pay out of $97,179 on the day he retires. 
Valued at $8,800, the contract's extra two weeks of vacation will be added to McFarlane's vacation bank. "The intent is to see him take some time off," said Bruce Warner, the TriMet board president. "But it's his to use however he wants to use it."

Read the entire story: TriMet GM's 'vacation bank' guarantees big retirement pay out on top of $12,800 monthly pension | OregonLive.com

That Trimet board can't be honest about anything

#TRIMET can't even b honest about Mcfarlane's raise. He got the raise for breaking the union.

— AL M (@AlYourPalster) November 20, 2014

Dilbert gets it right

Essay on Trimet bus drivers

Is it Tri MET...or Tri MAD????

Classic Tweets

"TriMet union benefits are too high"-says the GM making $290k/yr with 11 wks vacation & expected pension of $17k/mo. Who's the REAL problem?

— MAX FAQs (@maxfaqs) November 19, 2014

Appearance at the Trimet board of directors

We all know that speaking to the Trimet board is about as productive as speaking to the wall in your house. It absolutely means nothing to these people. Doesn't change anything and testimony is completely disregarded as soon as you end your presentation.

But today was a good opportunity to pay the debt I owed to Mr Mcfarlane for my failed small claim. The court ordered me to pay him, how's that for justice?

I made my little speech and that's that.
I think I qualify as the most hated employee in Trimet history.
Sorry about that, I'm a product of the Trimet culture

Pretty sweet to be a Trimet executive

General Managers and construction contractors get what ever they want

Has there ever been a #trimet contract that did not exceed the original bid? pic.twitter.com/jsq8UNV50q

— AL M (@AlYourPalster) November 19, 2014

Mcfarlane's greed is unparalleled

This post  is from  TriMet GM's raise: How does new salary compare to rider, driver pay? Take the quiz | OregonLive.com

 

Mcfarlane keeps getting richer and richer

Just two years ago his salary was $221k. I'm sure he is very proud of himself. He will also be pulling a retirement that rivals Fred Hansen.

Mcfarlane has abrogated years of commitments to his employees/retirees stealing away the health care that the retirees were promised.

He has sent Nazi type fare inspectors  into his light rail to intimidate riders.

He got rid of the fareless square He toyed with Opal
And he raised fares for riders making Trimet one of the most expensive public transit systems  in the country

So Mcfarlane gets richer on the backs of his employees and the public..

Trimet reliability has gone down the tubes since Neil became General manager

In my opinion he is the worst general manager in Trimet history.
My opinon means nothing to the trimet oligarchs. And the opinion of the public is of no conern to these people. 

Satisfaction ratings of Trimet shows a steep decline. What do these sock puppets do? They give him another "retroactive' raise.

What a joke that Trimet board is, completely useless 

Welcome to the new Amerika!

October's weird TriMet service alerts

NOTE: Many of these alerts were written by dispatchers who are not expected to be language experts, may not have time to proofread, and make mistakes like all humans.  They may have many other tasks in progress at the moment, such as dealing with buses that are already stuck due to the blockage or situations elsewhere.  While the errors probably should be forgiven, they can cause confusion or problems for those who try to follow them.

And yes, I'm weeks late in posting these. 

COME TO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING

I assume its a 9:00am, its not specified on the Trimet web page. 

The materials for the board meeting are "coming soon". 

I'm planning on attending this  board meeting and at that time  I'll pay Mcfarlane the $150 I owe him that I promised to pay when he pays me for my health insurance

Don't cheap out on your medical care and make sure to mail early!

Another Trimet bus driver assault

#trimet Line 4 operator was spit on by rider who was asked to leave

— TriMet Scanner (@trimetscanner) November 15, 2014

"Crime Train" news

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -  A 16-year-old girl was stabbed while riding the MAX on Friday night in the middle of the evening commute.

Her attacker is still on the run, according to police.

Police say it happened just after 5 p.m. on board the blue line MAX train.  A Trimet driver reportedly called for help as the train pulled into the Gateway Transit Center,  but it's believed the girl was stabbed around 162^nd Avenue.

Police say the suspect, a black man possibly in his teens, jumped off the MAX at the 162^nd Avenue stop, and was with a Hispanic woman at the time.  It's not known if the teenage victim knew her attacker.

Police have not said where the girl was stabbed, but say she was rushed to the hospital. Her injuries are said to be non life-threatening. 

“It's absurd, it's crazy, this shouldn't be happening. The MAX should be safe,” passenger Alan Monteverdi said.

“Getting stabbed on the MAX? I mean someone's gotta be real crazy for doing that,”  passenger Frank Lrenz said.  “And they still haven't found him,  that's pretty bad." 

Trimet says they have cameras positioned on board their MAX trains.  Investigators say they will be able to view those tapes and get a better sense of what happened, and a more detailed description of the suspect. 

If you know anything about what happened, Portland Police want to hear from you right away. 

Girl, 16, stabbed on board MAX train during evening commute - KPTV - FOX 12

Interview with Jeff Ackerson about the latest contract

I talked with Jeff about the process involved with the contract deal. I admit I flew off the handle when the deal was reached because I (like everyone else) had no idea that they were even close to a deal.

I also admit that I have no 'inside' information about the process that went down in reaching this agreement. From where I sit I saw it as total capitulation giving Mcfarlane his crowning achievement, the union contract he wanted when he took over as general manager.

So Jeff has taken it upon himself to attempt to educate me further on the details of the contract and why things are the way they are. 

This interview has been edited 

TriMet’s Service Guidelines document

What we have here is how Trimet does its service planning, supposedly. 

It appears all  very logical and comprehensive.

Of course there is no way for anyone outside of Trimet to actually evaluate whether the steps that are outlined here actually occur. 

But they are taking comment if  you wish to provide that

TODAY'S RAIL FAIL

ST CAR IS A MESS http://t.co/mvDVrpB9SL
— TriMet Scanner (@trimetscanner) November 15, 2014

Photo by Lane Jensen

Trimet chain fiasco-'snowvember'

Very reliable sources tell me that Trimet never intended to chain up the buses that already had the insta-chains .

The rumor is that Roberta Alsdadt   told the Oregonian that all the buses would be chained so the order was changed to accommodate what Alstadt told the Oregonian

KGW report on Snowvember!

Trimet coughs up the $$$$$

Like don't steal money from employees?

After 2 courts  ruled that Trimet must refund money they  stole from employees paychecks for health insurance premiums Trimet finally refunded the money.

(Blue cross only)

Trimet agreed to the refunds after the union agreed to give Trimet what they wanted on the health insurance.

This should have never been part of the deal since Trimet was illegally withholding this money.

How do we know its the right amount? 

I have no idea.

 Do I trust Trimet to 'do the right thing'? 

Absolutely not.

Now I have to figure out how they calculated these refunds

Who's that tweeting for Trimet?

Jessica Ridgway huh? 

How bout a face Trimet? 

Come out of the shadows!

Trimet cheapskates actually paid postage

The Trimet oligarchs have a policy of  nickel and diming its riders and union employees so its somewhat of a surprise that they actually paid the return postage for the health benefits signup material this year.

Trimet Blue Cross options costs compared

This information is only for members that like Blue Cross, the only difference with Kaiser is that the member pays $10 instead of $5. Kaiser is the cheapest option and Trimet would love to force all the union employees onto that.
 Its my understanding that 1/2 the union employees already choose Kaiser.

Here are the out of pocket charges each month for Blue Cross coverage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

80-20 plan: retiree only=$37.29; with spouse=$78.31; with family=$104.42

90-10 plan: retiree only=$82.84; with spouse=$174.01; with family=$231.97

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Click to enlarge

Trimet customers take to twitter to rage over the latest fail

The day started with Trimet needlessly chaining up buses. It was 37 degrees outside when I went to bed the night before and was actually getting warmer yet the powers that be decided to chain up all the buses. Needless to say there was no snow (which is almost always the case when Trimet chains buses before it actually snows.)

Then in the afternoon there was some minor freezing rain but it was enough to paralyze the max service surprisingly in the tunnel of all places!

TRIMET REALLY NEEDS TO BE CALLED ON THE CARPET ABOUT THEIR TERRIBLE COMMUNICATION

Trimet fails again

MAX service fails thousands of people stranded