In December, Sandy staff conducted on-board and on-line surveys. In past years, staff would have conducted surveys on board, but this year, surveys were set in each bus for passengers who chose to take it. Passengers were also asked to go online to take the survey. Both services had many surveys returned.

Here are a few of the comments left on the SAM surveys in December 2020:

-We are new to the Portland area and have been very impressed by the SAM and MHX buses. We do not have a car and the bus services are one of the reasons we have decided to settle in Sandy!

-During Covid and shutdowns SAM has been amazing in keeping us connected and safe.

-I love this service

-I will be able to age in my home because of this service

-Appreciate your services. I am p/u on a regular schedule and arrive @work before shift. Thank you!

-I like the STAR so I do my shopping because limited mobility, I usually can’t stand for long periods of time.

-I appreciate the transit system. I am not sure what my family members would do without it.

-All the drivers and other staff are so amazing and accommodating

-I do appreciate the drivers…friendliness and helpfullness even during this time

-Always the friendliest driver:)

-For me it has been a good service. Thank you. God bless you.

-Drivers are always so helpful and polite. They go out of their way to make trip pleasant.

-Rhonda and Tom H are awesome!!

-Friendly bus drivers are always a plus

In November, hand sanitizing stations were placed at each entrance of the Operations Center. Many non-COVID related projects also continue at the Transit Department. A new dispatch software was chosen (EasyRides), a Wifi vendor for Wifi on the Gresham route was chosen (SinglePoint) and the bus barn project was completed.

Overall, ridership was 42.5% lower than that of September 2019. SAM Gresham was 43% lower. Estacada was down 43.4%, SAM rides was down 27.9%, the Shopper Shuttle was down 52.6%, Elderly and Disabled rides decreased slightly by 27.3%.

Most transit agencies are reporting similar ridership patterns, with 60-65% typical ridership.

SAM continues to run service at pre-COVID service levels but with social distancing and COVID related safety requirements. All touch points are cleaned at the end of each run and buses are thoroughly disinfected after each shift using an electrostatic sprayer. An entire bus can be disinfected in 10 minutes. Drivers continue to wear masks, operate behind germ guards and have hand sanitizer available at all time. Additionally, passengers are required to wear masks and hand sanitizer stations have been installed in every bus for the passenger use.

Overall, ridership was 43.3% lower than that of September 2019. SAM Gresham was 40.5% lower. Estacada was down 51.4%, SAM rides was down 55.1%, the Shopper Shuttle was down 65.2%, Elderly and Disabled rides decreased slightly by 22.2%.

Most transit agencies are reporting similar ridership patterns, with 60-65% typical ridership. As you can see from the following chart, ridership patterns are very typical, albeit reduced.