From the Director

SAM and our Clackamas County partners (Canby, Clackamas County, South Clackamas and Wilsonville) have a new Transit webpage! In partnership, the “Clackamas Coalition” secured a STIF Discretionary grant to provide a one stop website to the public regarding how to get around Clackamas County. A firm was hired to create and maintain the site. Our new page is called Ride Clackamas and can found here.

The General Manager for MV Transit Services that has been with SAM since January has resigned. He lived in Salem and took a position closer to home. Upon request, MV sent an HR team to interview employees to see if a restructure of positions is necessary, sent a recruiter to the Mountain Festival and sent an Interim GM. The Interim GM, Tamara Darnell is doing a great job. We have encouraged her to stay and it looks like she is interested.

In August SAM staff and Board members will be in Vancouver at the Washington County Transit Association/Oregon Transit Association Joint Conference. This is the first time the two organizations have partnered for a conference and will be a great opportunity to learn about the latest transit trends, funding opportunities, audit changes and more. As the President of the Oregon Transit Association, I look forward to representing Sandy as I give opening remarks Monday morning and facilitate the banquet and annual meeting Tuesday. This year, ODOT is reimbursing 100% of the travel and board expenses to encourage Oregonians to attend the conference.

Ridership Statistics

SAM’s overall July 2023 ridership increased by 19.78% compared to July of 2022. SAM-Gresham provided 5,598 rides, an increase of 18.4%. SAM-Estacada experienced a slight decline of 6.6%, providing 340 rides. The Shopper Shuttle continues to increase ridership with a 5.03% increase from July 2022.

SAM rides experienced a large increase of 64.88%, providing 709 rides in July 2023. ED also increased ridership by 200%, providing 87 rides in July 2023 compared to 29 rides in July 2022.

Sandy Mountain Festival Parade

“Come one, come all! We saved you a Seat!” The SAM Transit Team, along with Board members and family enjoyed participating in the parade alongside other City departments!!!

Sandy Mountain Festival Service

SAM and MHX offered fareless service all weekend to encourage carless transportation to the Sandy Mountain Festival. SAM also offered a shuttle to the Mountain Festival that began at the Sandy Operations Center. In 2022 the shuttle provided 50 rides and in 2023 we provided it provided 88 rides, a 76% increase. SAM plans to continue working with the Sandy Mountain Festival Committee to offer transportation options during Mountain Festival Days.

Shopper Shuttle Improvements

Using STIF funds (STIF Plan FY24-25) the Shopper Shuttle now operates on Saturdays, providing intracity transportation 6 days a week! Community members who work during the weekdays now have an option to ride the trolley! Within the first three weeks the Saturday Shopper had 39 riders!

We listened! Due to public input, SAM is changing the Shopper Shuttle route and times. Beginning August 14th, the Shopper will add a run — offering six times a day! The new times maintain service during the peak demand while also allowing middle and high school students who participate in afterschool activities to utilize SAM to get home or into town. Along with all the regular stops, we will also stop at the cinema and local parks!

Drug and Alcohol Training

SAM staff attended a 2-day ODOT training that included Drug and Alcohol Program Management and Compliance training as well as Reasonable Suspicion Determination training. This instruction is essential to ensure that staff are knowledgeable and compliant regarding Drug and Alcohol testing and requirements and accurately assessing fitness for duty.