Lead 411
Not quite sure what this is....
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A Perspective: TriMet, facing another budget gap, remains disingenuous
TriMet seems surprised that they have a $12 - $17 mil budget shortfall. And that number is the one that TriMet hopes will act a cushion to the real shortfall that will slowly come to the forefront after the media does some analysis....
More violent crime on MAX
It goes on and on and on. It's time to put the Mystery Train to Milwaukie on hold until somebody figures out a solution to the serious crime problem on Portland's commuter trains. Maybe we should have a public vote on requiring turnstiles and other meaningful security.
| Posted at 9:05 PM | Permalink |
TriMet, facing another budget gap, looking for places to cut -- with some exceptions
http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2011/10/trimet-facing-another-budget-gap.html
Also some exceptions like they will never cut MAX service, except that service that is actually needed (rush hour blue line), cutting WES altogether (that thing never should've been built), or the Milwaukie MAX project and the list goes on and on....
But what TriMet will cut is bus service, bus cleaner positions, or bus mechanic positions to name only a few. Oh, and they'll also raise fares even more. Then Micky Mac over there will decide four other overpaid executive directors of something need to be added and get paid a ridiculously high annual pay. Oh you just wait.
Also some exceptions like they will never cut MAX service, except that service that is actually needed (rush hour blue line), cutting WES altogether (that thing never should've been built), or the Milwaukie MAX project and the list goes on and on....
But what TriMet will cut is bus service, bus cleaner positions, or bus mechanic positions to name only a few. Oh, and they'll also raise fares even more. Then Micky Mac over there will decide four other overpaid executive directors of something need to be added and get paid a ridiculously high annual pay. Oh you just wait.
I thought TriMet was in the red?
TriMet gave $4 million to the Portland Spirit boat company.
This story actually broke back in July, but still is absurd.
If TriMet was so broke, then where did all this money come from? Is there more money they're hiding from the public view? Is TriMet really broke or is this all just a scam and excuse to cut bus service and raise fairs again?
This story actually broke back in July, but still is absurd.
If TriMet was so broke, then where did all this money come from? Is there more money they're hiding from the public view? Is TriMet really broke or is this all just a scam and excuse to cut bus service and raise fairs again?
The Portland Police Bureau has spent $186,400 in police overtime for Occupy Portland
Oregon Live
1st Amendment or not?
While camping in city parks is illegal, Portland's government has permitted Occupy Portland to stay put. But the mayor issued a statement this afternoon, saying the city would not allow Occupy Portland to set up another encampment in any other park in the city. Some Occupy Portland protestors are planning a demonstration at 4 p.m. Saturday at Jamison Square in the Pearl District.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/portland_chief_mike_reese_says.html
The Occupiers have rebutted that claim. I just hope the Occupy PDX protest doesn't fall in the same way so many others have.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/portland_chief_mike_reese_says.html
The Occupiers have rebutted that claim. I just hope the Occupy PDX protest doesn't fall in the same way so many others have.
Things haven't changed much around TriMet...
Check this out. He wrote that in July 2007. It is now October 2011.
Nothing changes.
Nothing changes.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
From Joe Rose (read from the bottom up for the timeline)
warns of $12 million to $17 million budget gap, asks public for help dealing with red ink
board member Steve Clarke brings up phantom of WES cut as "example" of everythign on the table
McFarlane: Suggests maybe another fare increase in early 2012 instead of Sept.
My guess: proposed #trimet fare transfer idea is now stuck in the mud.
McFarlane: LIFT fare increases will be put back on table as result
f TriMet cut its full $12m shortfall from service, it'd be a worse cut than 2010's devastating round
McFarlane: "all hands on deck mentality." everything looked at for cuts, with "riders' benefits coming first."
McFarlane: Budget problems "presume" there will be at least a 5 cent fare increase next year, maybe more.
deHamel: Easy cutting decisions long gone.
In past 3 years, #trimet cut 13% of bus service, 10% MAX service. More coming?
deHamel: Expecting $4 million less in federal funding in FY 2013. Usually gets $40-45 million a year
finance director Beth deHamel: Recent union board ruling eliminated potential savings in union contract of $5-10 million.
McFarlane: after decades at #trimet "not sure I’ve ever seen so many forces of uncertainty coming together
Neil McFarlane: #trimet thoroughly reviewing bus, MAX injury incidents in Washington County this week.
Tomorrow, all #trimet drivers will have gone through recertification program sparked by Sandi Day striking 5 pedestrians in 2010
board still waiting for quorum, eight min after meeting was supposed to start. Not good role model for buses running on time
warns of $12 million to $17 million budget gap, asks public for help dealing with red ink
board member Steve Clarke brings up phantom of WES cut as "example" of everythign on the table
McFarlane: Suggests maybe another fare increase in early 2012 instead of Sept.
My guess: proposed #trimet fare transfer idea is now stuck in the mud.
McFarlane: LIFT fare increases will be put back on table as result
f TriMet cut its full $12m shortfall from service, it'd be a worse cut than 2010's devastating round
McFarlane: "all hands on deck mentality." everything looked at for cuts, with "riders' benefits coming first."
McFarlane: Budget problems "presume" there will be at least a 5 cent fare increase next year, maybe more.
deHamel: Easy cutting decisions long gone.
In past 3 years, #trimet cut 13% of bus service, 10% MAX service. More coming?
deHamel: Expecting $4 million less in federal funding in FY 2013. Usually gets $40-45 million a year
finance director Beth deHamel: Recent union board ruling eliminated potential savings in union contract of $5-10 million.
McFarlane: after decades at #trimet "not sure I’ve ever seen so many forces of uncertainty coming together
Neil McFarlane: #trimet thoroughly reviewing bus, MAX injury incidents in Washington County this week.
Tomorrow, all #trimet drivers will have gone through recertification program sparked by Sandi Day striking 5 pedestrians in 2010
board still waiting for quorum, eight min after meeting was supposed to start. Not good role model for buses running on time
Will transit's gloomy future hasten the biking boom?
Unlike transit, which is increasing in cost while cutting back on service, the cost of bicycling (free) will remain unchanged while the quality of bike service continues to go up. This trend points to a future where even more people switch to bicycling at an even faster rate.
Bike Portland
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