From the Director
The City, the County and MV Transportation were all able to come to a contract agreement. The agreement will carry through to the end of the 5 year contract period. The amendment for the agreement is included in the November 21 City Council session. This contract allows time for the City and County to conduct a thorough evaluation of rates and conduct an RFP process (which is required by the end of year 5) and not have to put time and resources toward negotiating each year or 6 months at a time. The City and the County are also currently working on an updated IGA to continue the long standing collaboration between the two transit services. In the IGA, the County pays the City for staff time spent on the County service, known as the employee support program, and for rent. It is through the employee support program that Transit was able to add an FTE in 2017, bringing City staff total to 2.8.
The City is currently working with all of the Clackamas County providers on a collaborative project to provide a one stop webpage for transit needs in the County. The webpage will have trip planning capabilities and provide information on all of the available transit options including paratransit and demand response.
Finally, the City participated in the Estacada Transportation Plan update. Transit options that allow transportation between rural cities for goods and services is essential. SAM appreciates the long standing partnership between Estacada and Sandy and looks forward to the published Transportation Plan.
From the Program Administrator
SAM rides is excited to provide transportation to several of the City’s holiday events! SAM will be a fun, festive option that will minimize congestion and increase safety for foot traffic. The red trolley will be running the Shopper Shuttle route through the subdivisions to the Plaza for the tree lighting on December 2nd. The blue trolley will be at the plaza for photo shoots. SAM will also run the Shopper Shuttle route to Meinig Park on December 21st for the Shortest Day Walkway. The blue trolley will also be parked for viewing. SAM will provide the party bus for the Holiday Happy Hour at Meinig Park on December 28th! Each child that rides will receive an special Winter Express ticket ornament! Hope to see you onboard for a magical experience!
Ridership
Overall October ridership was 13% higher than October 2021. SAM-Gresham provided 5,724 rides, an increase of 15.01% from last year. SAM-Estacada provided 456 rides, a 6.3% increase. The Shopper Shuttle increased by 27.89% providing 509 rides.
SAM rides did have a slight decrease of 8.7%, compared to October 2021, which is probably due to a driver shortage. ED, however, had a dramatic increase of 143.5% compared with October 2021.
Annual Survey Highlights
SAM completed the annual on board surveys in October and provide a great deal of information on the ridership as well as their needs. Surveys were done on fixed routes as well as dial-a-ride. 52.63% of respondents ride almost daily, with 23.16% riding 3-4 times a week. Commuting to work was the number one reason for using transit (48.89%) followed by recreation/social at 28.89%. Ridership is primarily Sandy residents (60%) and the the largest age group is 30-44 years old (31.58%). Over half of the ridership (56.18%) earn less than $20,000 a year, 84.95% do not own a car and 41.27% would not have made the trip if public transportation was not available.
The most important improvements were centered around more service. 69.32% would like more Sunday service, 54.43% would like later service on weekdays, and 49.40% would like more frequent service.
Below are comments from the rider survey that provide a good summary of many of all comments:
“While none of the questions applied directly to the bus drivers, they are the ‘butter on the bread’ of the transit system. They educate new users, help tourists navigate, seamlessly accommodate to the very wide needs of public transportation users, respond quickly to adjustments in schedules, road construction, traffic problems or passengers issues, offering friendly reminders of the safety rules in place for all riders. Beautiful buses and convenient schedules are great, but without responsible drivers there wouldn’t be a transit system.”
“SAM has allowed me to take a part-time job in Sandy as supplemental retirement home. Hugely appreciated!….and Tri-Met could take a lesson from you buy padding the seats!”
“I’ve been riding the SAM off and on for years now. Drivers are always very friendly, and staff at dispatch have always been helpful. Thank you for getting me, and my family, from point A to point B. Keep up the good work!”
“You provide an exceptional service and I’m grateful. I use public transportation from my home in Northwest Portland all the way up here (Timberline) it’s quite fantastic.”