In late September and early October, TriMet held public meetings and opened their e-mail inbox to receive comments on a series of proposed route changes that would occur in May 2009. The changes affected a number of routes, however, a lot of feedback (including my own here as well as to TriMet directly) was received about the #6 and #70 routes.

In fact, because of the feedback received, TriMet has decided to postpone changes to those two particular routes until “more information is known about the eastside expansion of Portland Streetcar service scheduled for 2010.”

I learned of this information by noticing a service alert on the landing page for the #6 route. No word on if the other proposed route changes will go forward, so stay tuned.

Related Posts

• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

Following up from last week’s post on the possible route change on the #6 line, TriMet is also proposing changes to the #10, #14, #35, #54, and #56 routes.

This is part of the last phase of the Portland Mall renovation and if these changes are accepted, they would go into effect next May and would return buses to SW 5th and 6th as well as remove some lines from downtown altogether.

The agency will host four public meetings on these changes:
September 30
Multnomah County Building
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
6–8 p.m.

October 8
Portland State University, Smith Memorial Building #296
1825 SW Broadway
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

October 8
Grant Park Baptist Church
2728 NE 34th Ave.
6-8 p.m.

October 9
Blazer Boys and Girls Club
5250 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:30–7:30 p.m.

While this information has the potential to affect a lot of commuters, and not just those who commute downtown, it’s not present on TriMet’s home page and the title of the page in the site’s search engine is listed as, “Elderly & Disabled Transportation Plan & Jobs Access and Reverse Commute draft plans,” making it tricky to find.

Plus, would it have killed them to offer a public meeting or two on a weekend? Having said that, if you feel strongly about the proposed changes, make sure to attend a meeting or submit comments to TriMet via e-mail or on their voicemail line.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

On my way home from last night’s OurPDX meet-up, I noticed a sign posted at the #6 stop on NE Grand & E Burnside. I soon noticed they were present at most of the stops as I made my way home.

TriMet has planned three public meetings seeking comments/feedback about possibly changing the #6 line. The proposed route change includes removing #6 line service from downtown and assuming the current #70 line’s route. The new route would run from Jantzen Beach to Milwaukie by way of the Lloyd Center. The change, if approved, would go into effect in May 2009.

So far, there’s no additional information on TriMet’s site about the proposed route change. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• July 22, 2009 -- Stepping Into the Slow Lane (1)

As federal officials examine the cause of the train collision that occurred in Los Angeles last Friday, it looks as if they’re pointing to human error as the engineer may have been texting instead of being attentive and stopping at a signal.

I have to wonder what TriMet is doing to ensure the safety of its passengers in the Portland area. On my morning commute into the office, I saw signs of things that could definitely be improved. In boarding the first bus of my commute, there was a woman standing up front blocking the entry when there were available seats throughout the bus.

Why was she standing there the entire time? She was chatting with the driver. I’ve been on more than enough buses to see that lead to the driver missing requested stops from other passengers or slamming on the brakes too hard because they were dangerously close to running a red light. Perhaps she was another TriMet employee, but she wasn’t uniformed, nor did I see a visible badge.

On the other part of my commute, the driver was chatting on his cell phone without an earpiece. Now, he may have had legitimate business to discuss during that call, but both of his hands should be on the wheel. And, of course, if it wasn’t legitimate business being discussed, the call shouldn’t even have happened. It’s called voicemail.

While there are rules that passengers are responsible to know, who’s checking the drivers? I don’t want it to take a fatal accident.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

Whether you’re planning to attend the Red Bull Flugtag event or a Beavers game this weekend, know that starting Saturday the MAX will not be running across the Steel Bridge. TriMet will be running shuttle buses between Rose Quarter and Old Town Chinatown, but they’re also encouraging everyone to walk or bike across the bridge.

The service interruption is expected to last through August 24, so be sure to plan your travels accordingly.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• July 31, 2008 -- Closed Platforms, Broken Machines (0)
• July 1, 2008 -- New MAX trains coming this Fall (2)

In today’s Oregonian, there’s an article on TriMet’s move to enclose the platforms at the NE 82nd Ave. and Gresham MAX stations in an effort to curtail fare evaders. The enclosure work would begin this fall. The idea is to have these stations staffed with ticket inspectors to check for valid fares.

While this move is long overdue and should be implemented throughout the system, shouldn’t TriMet make more of an effort to first ensure all machines are functional throughout the system? This has been a key complaint for a long time from passengers, yet little to no action has taken place.

Perhaps combining these initiatives is a way for one (fines collected from those without a valid fare) to pay for the other (enclosing the platforms). Regardless, fix the machines first, then worry about who’s not paying fares.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)
• July 1, 2008 -- New MAX trains coming this Fall (2)

Although the 22 new vehicles arrived last month, TriMet’s new MAX trains will be hitting the tracks in the Fall. While the new trains will allow for a few more folks to squeeze on board, the number of on-board bike racks will remain the same.

The new trains, built by Siemens, are the S70/Avanto model and are used domestically in Houston, San Diego, Charlotte and, internationally, in Paris.

TriMet highlights more space and additional seating with these new models. Too bad they weren’t ready to be rolled out in time for the upcoming July 4 holiday.

Related Posts

• December 7, 2009 -- Portland Police: The Problem is Perception (3)
• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)