TriMet's Bus "Cleaning Process"

Just adding to the long list of typical TriMet answers, here we have another one from TriMet via twitter about bus cleaning since I kept bugging them on twitter about how filthy the buses are.

Every night, TriMet crews take the in-service buses through four steps:

1. Initial walkthrough: Drive to dumpster and recycling bin. Walk through bus; remove garbage, recycling, lost & found items; identify repair needs, including seats that are so soiled  they need to be replaced. Send bus to mechanics as needed.

2. Dust & vacuum: Drive to cyclone/fueling station.  Fit cyclone vacuum to front door; walk through bus with air wand (like a leaf blower), dislodging dirt and debris, which cyclone pulls into dumpster. Wipe down steering wheel, remove major graffiti,  and check cameras.

All of this is done while another worker fuels and checks critical fluid levels. Remove major graffiti at mopping station. 

Also: Cycle wheelchair lift or ramp after bus is fueled and washed.

3. Targeted cleaning: The operator compartment gets a more thorough cleaning, including disinfecting, two nights a week, while other nights focus on stanchions/seat rails and gum/ graffiti.

Also: Mop floors and stairwells as needed and as time allows; pay special attention to any bus reported by an operator or customer.

4. Exterior wash: Drive bus through wash rack (like an industrial-strength car wash). Note: Portions of the front and back end aren’t reached by the brushes, so we wash by hand as needed and time allowing. 

Also: We use wash rack less in very hot weather, to conserve water, and when it’s below freezing, to prevent ice on vehicles and in yard.

As needed: Mop step wells. Remove and replace seat cushions. Clean wheels. Insect control. Clean windows. Etc.

Quarterly or semi-annually: Conduct deep-cleaning, including customer seats. Clean wheels. Scrub step wells. Strip build-up from floor grooves, window tracks, etc. Clean ceilings.

Interesting. I was sure surprised to get an answer like this, but i won't complain! I'd go through and rant about what TriMet should do better about this, but I don't have the brain power. Draw your own conclusions. 

And interestingly enough, I asked TriMet about the MAX cleaning process and got no answer. I'm going to try again tomorrow because I am curious to see how they compare.

Bus Safety Stop

I have begun to find that it is quite fun to play around with twitter and that it is an interesting way to bug TriMet about little things when I think of it. Riding my regular route from home to school and back again I have always seen those little signs under or above the initial bus stop sign saying 'Bus Safety Stop'. Some drivers ignore them completely, some drivers stop at a few of them (or it could just be to let traffic go by....let's just leave it as a two for), and some drivers (often to my surprise) actually stop at all of them. I poked at TriMet on twitter one morning while commuting for an answer. I didn't expect to get much of an answer, but to my surprise I got this:

Safety Stops have been created on routes where bus vibration may cause damage to private property or utilities or to keep speeds low on severe inclines. ~TriMet

And now, apparently, we know what safety stops are! And why 99% of 51 stops to Portland have the safety stop sign. According to TriMet at least. But I'm just surprised I got an answer in the first place