Transit Staff Report – December 2023

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From the Program Administrator

Ridership

Ridership continues to move in a positive direction. Overall ridership for December of 2023 increased by 4.79% compared with December 2022. SAM-Gresham provided 4,937 rides, an increase of 8.58% over December 2022. Estacada declined by 45.68% bus still provided 239 rides. The Shopper Shuttle also experienced a slight decline of 6.57%. The decline may be due to lower gas prices, the holiday season and winter break at school.

SAM rides provided transportation for 779 individual rides. That is an increase of 11.76% over December 2022. ED increased by 140.82%, providing 118 rides.

Winterfest and the Jolly Trolley

The Winterfest and Jolly Trolley ridership was 221 rides! Due to demand, we added 4 extra runs to the Jolly Trolley! The program was so popular we intend to expand the service next year. We will provide two Jolly Trolleys on December 13th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd! We also plan to simplify the sign-up process by calling our dispatch office directly.

SAM provided rides to Pictures with the Grinch, The Snow Queen, Estampa y Santa and the Holiday Happy Hour! This accounted for 45 of the 221 rides.

Clackamas County Partnership

In December 2023, SAM brought in $4,422.34 from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. The revenue from medical rides was $6,819.45. Total earnings from the Clackamas County partnership were $11,241.79.

Building Design

The City Committee, comprised of Public Works (Jenny Coker and Ryan Wood), Parks (Tiana Rundell), IT (Greg Brewster) and Transit (Andi Howell and Muna Rustam) met with MWA to discuss the needs for the Operations Center. The Committee expressed the need for more office space and storage space that would not be department specific but versatile to fit the changing needs of all the departments. A city wide maintenance facility was also discussed. MWA returned with three proposals that will be cost effective, energy conscious and maximize potential growth. The Committee will meet to further discuss and refine the designs to meet the needs of this multi-departmental project.