Ridership continues to improve. Total ridership this month was 9,901 compared to 9,506 rides in 2016, an overall increase of 4.2%.
The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 3.9% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 95% increase over the first month of implementation last December. The Estacada route provided nearly the same number of rides as compared to October 2016 (505 versus 504). The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) increased by 32%. STAR is the only route to experience a decrease in ridership, an intended consequence of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership decreased by 9.7%, from 1172 to 1009.
In November, SAM staff again participated in a statewide work group to evaluate the current method of allocation for federal transit funds distributed to rural agencies (5311). This is an important piece of funding that provides much needed stability in revenue. The work group is expected to continue until April. Sandy staff are also actively involved in the rule making process for the allocation of the new HB 2017 funding. Staff have attended every rule making meeting to date and are working with other Clackamas County providers to ensure equity in funding and a county-wide approach to improved connectivity.
Muna, on behalf of Mt Hood Express (MHX), was awarded her first grant! She successfully obtained funding for new signage and bus shelters in the mountain communities through Clackamas County Tourism. The City has also stepped in to loan a vehicle to the Clackamas County TRP program as they had no wheelchair accessible vehicle and no ability to obtain one quickly. These are just a couple of examples of the great partnership Sandy and Clackamas County have created.
Plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue with construction expected by spring 2018. ODOT visited Sandy Transit in November and staff completed the first draft of the Scope of Work for the updated Transit Master Plan. Staff continue to work on procurement of ITS equipment and hope to complete the vendor selection by the end of December 2017.
Ridership Patterns Since November 2016 Changes
