Ridership continues to improve. Total ridership this month was 10,147 compared to 9,538 rides in 2016, an overall increase of 6.4%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 6.0% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 246.7% increase over the first month of implementation last December. There was due, in part, to a special run for the City’s tree lighting ceremony and it was a huge success! A total of 214 riders were driven to view neighborhood lights, eliminating a great deal of street traffic to a popular holiday attraction. The shuttle was so popular that an additional 5 runs were added and there was still a crowd as we shut down the service. Plans to increase the opportunity for next year’s event are already in the works. The Estacada route increased ridership by 1.9%. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) remained virtually the same (79 instead of 80 rides). STAR is the only route to experience a decrease in ridership, an intended consequence of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership decreased by 13.3%, from 1169 to 1013.

SAM staff continues to participate 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 each rule making meeting and are working with other Clackamas County providers to ensure equity in funding and a county-wide approach to improved connectivity.

The City continues to work in an efficient partnership with Clackamas County to achieve transportation goals in the area. The bus sharing program that is currently in place is under review for further sharing opportunities during the peak winter season for Clackamas County. The City is currently expanding its ticket sale locations to include the Sandy library. Discussions to sell tickets with local businesses are also underway.
Plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue. Staff continues to revise the Scope of Work for the updated Transit Master Plan. Staff also is in process of the selection and procurement of ITS equipment.
Ridership Patterns 2016 – 2017