SAM services provided 12,008 rides in total, an overall increase of 14.3% compared to October 2018. SAM Gresham provided 8,485 of those rides as compared to 7,617 in 2018 (11.4% increase).

SAM Estacada experienced a 59.1% increase, from 648 rides in October 2018 to 1,031 rides this October. The Shopper Shuttle experienced an increase of 166% with 1,196 rides. STAR experienced a 4.1% decrease. ED had an increase of 10.5%.

In October, Transit staff published an RFP for new dispatch software, which will be funded with new STIF funds.  The Department also secured 4 new computers and 6 computer monitors.  All but 2 monitors were funded with the new STIF funding. 

Also in October, Transit staff and Board members (6 total!) attended the Oregon Public Transportation Conference in Seaside, Or.  The workshops were informative and of great quality.  The conference focused on “Communication, Collaboration and Coordination”.  Sandy was able to secure reimbursements from the State and other sources for all conference expenses.  And, there was a costume dinner since it was Oct. 30th (Sandy staff were Communication, Collaboration and Coordination).

Clackamas County providers caucused during the Oregon conference and have selected Sandy staff member, Andi Howell, to represent rural Transit on the Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation (ACT).  This is a great honor, as is being re-elected to serve on the Board for the Oregon Transit Association (OTA).  South Clackamas Transit District Director, Tom Mills will represent Transit at C4 and Teresa Christopherson with the County will act as the C4 alternate.  Andi Howell remains the Rural Transit Representative on the Special Transportation Fund (STF) Advisory Committee until fiscal year 2021.

In October, RoJoy Services, the SAM contractor, continued to experience a staffing shortage which caused SAM to miss providing rides for the Trick or Treat Trail event this year.  We continue to work with RoJoy to address the shortage of drivers available.