A TriMet Rider: January 30, 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012

Oh Brother...

Apparently we now have "VIPR teams":

Transit Police Officers (TPD) teamed up with federal security partners this week on a 4-day mission on MAX. The VIPR teams (Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response) are Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) federal agents. TriMet and our federal security partners conduct these types of deployments regularly at random times throughout the year. The missions are designed to enhance security by working in mass transit, aviation, maritime, rail and other transportation modes alongside local law enforcement agencies. The exact makeup of the VIPR teams is determined jointly with local authorities and DHS.

This particular deployment was not in response to any specific or recent activity or threat. The deployment started last Sunday, January 22^nd, with teams riding the trains looking for any suspicious activity. They walked through trains and deboarded, allowing trains to continue revenue service. The missions were successful but reported back no higher-than-usual rates of arrest or exclusions.

http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2012/01/vipr-teamssheeesh.html

BECAUSE FOUR DAYS WILL SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL SUNSHINE AND UNICORNS FROM NOW ON!

THE REEK OF BS IS ALMOST TOO MUCH TO STAND...BY GOD...

People know stay off TriMet when it snows (or when it chains)

http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2012/01/people-know-stay-off-trimet-when-it.html
But some won't even get the choice--their bus line will get cancelled instead.

MICKEY SPEAKS

There is going to be a lot of conversation in the coming weeks and months about fares. Should we re-structure them, how much should we raise them, how do we make them easier to collect, how much more should we be investing in enforcement, and how does it affect particular communities or particular stakeholders. It is an important topic - after all, about 1/4 of our operating budget comes from fares. When I talk to operators, no topic gets more attention. For example, we are getting pretty positive feedback on the transfer printer being showcased during this week's sign-up.

Most operators also tell me - get rid of the zones! One of my objectives, embedded in our five year plan - is making sure whatever we do in the short-term lines up with the trajectory we want to be on in the long term. More specifically, I think we need to modernize our fare system, and move to the next generation of electronic fares - that will take a few years - but one thing we've heard from other transit agencies who have already implemented electronic fares: "...the first thing you need to do is simplify your fare policy and structure as much as possible." Electrons don't make a complex fare system simple all by themselves.

Between now and February 8th, I will be working to put together the budget plan based on the work of the budget task force, the nearly 5,000 survey responses we got, stakeholders, and what I've heard over time from our operators and other staff. A fare proposal will be part of that - and then the whole community of transit riders will have a chance to engage on the topic. Much more to come.

Best,
Neil
http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot.com/2012/01/his-holiness.html