Friday, June 24, 2011
Ummmm...
Press Release of the Day: Goat boards TriMet bus
That gets close to the strangest story I've heard yet surrounding TriMet.
That gets close to the strangest story I've heard yet surrounding TriMet.
Complete Bullshit
Weeks ago I had submitted another complaint about TriMet's Line 51 service (because we've got crappy service and desperately need better service--especially during the summer) and possibly combining the 51 and 63 together during the day. Didn't expect much, but at least I got a longer answer than the usual answer they give me saying "but you've got the line 15" (no we don't). Here is what i submitted to TriMet, and their reply from Tom Mills of service planning and scheduling is below.
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Service to Line 51-Vista was reduced as part of the service cuts that took place in fall 2009 and fall 2010. We made these cuts based on a decrease in payroll tax revenue caused by the recession. Over two years, we had a $60 million budget gap to close. While we never want to reduce service and negatively impact our riders, we had no other way of closing the gap but to make cuts to bus and MAX service.
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Service to Line 51-Vista was reduced as part of the service cuts that took place in fall 2009 and fall 2010. We made these cuts based on a decrease in payroll tax revenue caused by the recession. Over two years, we had a $60 million budget gap to close. While we never want to reduce service and negatively impact our riders, we had no other way of closing the gap but to make cuts to bus and MAX service.
Line 63-Washington Park saw service reductions in fall 2009 with the elimination of weekend service and the shortening of the line. Running offline trips from Line 63 to Line 51 in the midday would double the time between buses on Line 63 so that it runs every 80 minutes instead of every 40 minutes. While this may be an improvement to Line 51 service, it would degrade Line 63 even further. While the Washington Park Shuttle can help fill the void, it only runs during the summer.
All service cuts to both Lines 51 and 63 were discussed with the public during extensive outreach processes in spring 2009 and 2010. During these processes, neighborhood residents and representatives from many of the Washington Park venues (e.g., Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Japanese Gardens, etc.), advocated strongly to keep Line 63 service . While we were still forced to make cuts to Line 63, we do not have any plans to reduce the service further by running offline, midday trips from Line 63 to Line 51.
When considering service cuts, TriMet’s Service Planning and Scheduling Department does its best to impact the fewest riders. Hence the cuts to midday service on Line 51 – a low ridership time of day for that line. As the economy improves and our revenue increases, we intend to restore service on our Frequent Service bus and MAX lines. Once service is restored on higher ridership lines, we can then consider restoring midday service on Line 51-Vista.
Thank you again for submitting your comments. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Tom Mills
Service Planning and Scheduling
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Sigh. They don't care about our bus line at all. I just wish we could have better service--especially during the summer. I really don't have many words right now. I'm just frustrated by it all.
TriMet Ticket Vending Machines Under Maintenance June 25
Ticket vending machines will be under maintenance 1:30-8:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25. Machines will accept cash only during that time. You may want to buy fare in advance.
~TriMet Email Updates
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