Total ridership this month was 10,571 compared to 10,053 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 5%.
The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 6% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 68% increase over the first month of implementation in December.
The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 9% over August 2016. This decrease is due to a road closure in Estacada that caused a disruption in service for several weeks. Although we did not stop service, one of the most frequented bus stops was impacted. Construction ceased and the road was reopened October 10, so we expect to see ridership recover.
The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) provided the same number of trips this month as compared to September 2016.
Finally, STAR ridership decreased by 9%. Most of the decrease can be attributed to the success of the shopper shuttle route.
In September, Muna Rustam, Transit’s Program Administrator provided a day training in conjunction with Oral Hull for the Blind. Participants were picked up by Sandy Transit’s dial-a-ride service STAR, transported to Tollgate for an informational lunch where Muna and TriMet provided information to the class about transit services. After lunch, the group transferred onto the SAM Gresham route where they connected with TriMet services in Gresham. Later, the group was returned via SAM Gresham and STAR. These types of training are an integral service that SAM provides to groups and individuals free of charge as part of our travel training program.
SAM also took part in a “Transit Outside Metro” story line conducted by Metro. Impressed by the level of service Sandy provides, Metro asked to interview riders. We were happy to have them at the Operations Center in Sandy where they interviewed riders and rode the fixed route.
Sandy staff and TAC member Caren Topliff attended an STF (Special Transportation Funds) workgroup to discuss and create improved performance measures and reporting procedures to the STF Advisory Committee.
The TAC meeting was held in September as well. Currently TAC has no bylaws or term limits. Reorganization of the committee to meet the needs of the City and the Federal government were discussed at length.