With 6,664 passengers in June, ridership was 6.6% higher than last June (2020) and 36.5% lower than pre-COVID (2019). As many agencies struggle to regain service and ridership, a 36.5% reduction is good and SAM shows a slow return to normalcy. During June ridership capacity restrictions remained in place, but those restrictions were lifted in early July. In Transit, however, due to FTA requirements, masks are still required for both passengers and drivers until the end of September.

As for ridership per route, SAM Gresham ridership increased 7% over June 2020. SAM Estacada increased 10.5%, SAM Shopper increased 24.3%. SAM rides, the dial-a-ride service, decreased 1.7% while the out of town medical rides program increased 68.4%.

SAM initiated a driver appreciation program with local businesses in June. To build the Transit/business partnership and encourage SAM’s 36 employees to shop local, SAM reached out to local businesses to enter into the appreciation program. SAM hopes this helps build back business for local establishments, spread word of mouth on buses when drivers are asked about best places to eat or shop, and SAM will be sure to frequent businesses who participate when any opportunity arises. Several businesses have entered the program. SAM was able to raffle off a grill donated from ACE, give 10% discounts at Brady’s Brats, 10% discount at Scoop and Swirl for the month of June, give away 2 tickets per month to the Sandy Cinema and give each employee a gift certificate to Goodwill when it is their birthday month.

In June, SAM celebrated one year with our new contractor and a strong service that is running smoothly. This gave SAM had the opportunity to show our appreciation to Brady’s Brats and Burgers for entering the appreciation program by purchasing food for employees. Both brats and burgers had great reviews from the drivers and staff, who felt very appreciated!! Next month, during our employee birthday celebrations SAM will provide special treats for the drivers from Scoop and Swirl!

With 6,300 passengers in May, ridership was 28% higher than last May 2020. Although this is an increase in ridership, it remains a 46% reduction from pre-COVID ridership. Transit agencies across the State are beginning to request transit capacity restrictions be removed as we begin to welcome people back. Faced with capacity restrictions, people will remain reluctant to take the chance of waiting for a bus only to find that it is at capacity. In rural settings, this is especially troublesome as the next bus will not arrive until at least 30 minutes later.

As for ridership per route, SAM Gresham ridership increased 26% over May 2020. SAM Estacada increased 109.5%, SAM Shopper increased 68.6%. SAM rides, the dial-a-ride service, increased 21.4% while the out of town medical rides program increased 53.8%.

The end of May marked the one year anniversary with MV Transportation as our new contractor. This relationship was a bit unsteady during early transition, however MV was very responsive to the City’s concerns and a new operations manager was assigned to the division in December. Since December, we have seen great improvement in operations and driver retainment. With driver shortages occurring across the nation, driver recruitment and retention remains a priority. Experienced drivers who know the routes, vehicles and passengers are very important for the customer experience, something the City of Sandy has always recognized as a top priority.

During the months of March, April and May SAM staff have been transitioning to new dispatch software. Transit staff have also worked on new grant agreements with Oregon Department of Transportation as the new biennium approaches as well as new RFQs for new vehicle procurement and new IGAs between the City and TriMet as well as the City and the County.

With 7,126 passengers in March, ridership was 7% lower than last March when COVID became a reality and ridership and bus capacity decreased. This is a 34% reduction in ridership compared to pre-COVID ridership trends. 34% is one of the lowest reductions we have seen in months, likely due to the COVID restrictions being lifted in many aspects of society and schools reopening to hybrid learning.

During the month of March, SAM staff were able to sign a contract and move forward with new dispatch software. This new software will help with scheduling and mapping rides on the SAM rides dial-a-ride service. EasyRides, the new software, will bring much needed updates to the capabilities of our dial-a-ride software such as automated reminder calls the evening before their scheduled ride.

Finally, the SAM Transit Director serves as the President for the Oregon Transit Association, (OTA). In this capacity, SAM is currently intricately involved in weekly legislative sessions, tracking transit related legislation and acting on behalf of the OTA when needed. Attached are two letters submitted in March. Each time testimony is given (3 times to date) or letters are sent on behalf of OTA, the information is given and signed by Andi Howell, City of Sandy Transit Director and OTA President. Therefore, it is important to keep Council informed of activities and information provided in this role and will be provided when necessary in these monthly updates.

OTA Letter to House Committee on Housing re HB 2558

OTS SB 803 Support

With 5,947 passengers in January and 5,300 in February, ridership remains around 45-50% lower than pre-COVID years. As we approach the one year anniversary and business and schools begin to reopen, it will be interesting to watch the new post COVID-19 ridership trends. February is typically a lower ridership month due to weather patterns and this year was no exception. SAM reduced service for four days, with two of those days being complete cancellations due to ice.

As in previous years, SAM employees were exemplary during the storm. Even during days when service was cancelled, dispatchers who could make it in to work did. They covered the telephones and were prepared to attempt to pick up passengers in life sustaining situations if necessary. As you can see from this photo, not one person was denied a life sustaining appointment such as dialysis.

As mentioned last month, capacity restrictions have forced SAM to put out extra vehicles and at times, turn down passengers. For example, in the past, one small cut-a-way vehicle would be able to accommodate several passengers, but with COVID-19 restrictions, 2 vehicles are often dispatched. As businesses open and people return to work and school, SAM expects to send “sweeper” vehicles at peak service so no one is left behind. To cover the additional costs of added cleaning, sweeper vehicles and PPE, Transit applied for $100,000 for operations, a new “sweeper” vehicle and a replacement vehicle for a service vehicle that has been used daily during COVID for added capacity. The total amount applied for is $265,000 through the CARES ACT Needs Based application process and SAM was recently awarded the full amount.

In January, the STFAC grants for Federal funds were submitted. SAM requested a modest increase in Federal funding and $45,000 to use as match for a vehicle already funded through a different Federal program. SAM was successful and was awarded the full request in funding, a total of $622,064. Considering that SAM will likely not collect fares until capacity restrictions are lifted, receiving this funding in full and the additional CARES ACT funding allows SAM to continue at current service levels and implement the same stringent cleaning/disinfecting protocols. These protocols, and the speed with which they were enacted, have allowed SAM to operate at full capacity for a year with zero COVID cases reported.

With 6,145 passengers in December, ridership remains 41% lower than the previous year. The SAM Gresham route, SAM’s primary fixed route, was 40% lower. The Estacada route was slightly better with a 37% reduction in ridership. The Shopper Shuttle has a large decrease of 64%, however, this is slightly misleading due to the very high number of rides in December 2019. This was largely due to extra Shopping Shuttle runs over the holiday season.

SAM’s dial-a-ride, formerly known as STAR that is now SAM rides, saw a 25% reduction in ridership and the medical rides program (ED) saw a 27% reduction.

As you can see from this chart, ridership trends mirror previous patterns. SAM has been forced at times to turn down passengers due to COVID capacity restrictions. Staff have applied for funding for a new vehicle and funding to use as a “sweeper” vehicle so passengers are never left behind. A replacement vehicle was also requested in this grant request through CARES ACT funding.

Also in January, the STFAC grants for Federal funds were submitted as well as SAM’s STIF Plan for 22-23 biennium. If successful, SAM expects to see slightly higher grant Federal grant amounts for 22-23 than the previous biennium.

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.

COVID and wildfires greatly impacted ridership in September. As illustrated in the chart, ridership patterns (typically lower in September) continue, but remain at lower numbers than 2019. Overall, ridership was 47% lower than that of September 2019. SAM Gresham was 44% lower. Estacada, suspended due to wildfires, was down 62%, SAM rides was down 36%, the Shopper Shuttle, also suspended due to wildfires, was down 68%, Elderly and Disabled rides decreased slightly by 15%.

SAM staff continue to procure COVID-19 related items for vehicles such as added fold away seats for SAM rides vehicles and professionally installed germ guards.

The bus barn project, which saw some delays due to smoke, is now in the last few weeks. A few items remain on the punch list and should be complete by the end of November.

The bus wash is complete and the wash equipment has been completely renovated.

With the purchase of two vehicles, to be approved by Council this month, all 7 new vehicles expected this biennium will have been purchased.

Fire/smoke update: Transit suspended Estacada and the Shopper Shuttle routes briefly due to fire and smoke. SAM Gresham remained on schedule throughout the emergency, although ridership was extremely low.

Similar to July, ridership remains lower than previous years. Overall, ridership was 41% lower than that of August 2019. SAM Gresham was 39% lower. Estacada ridership was down 34%, SAM rides was down 33%, the Shopper Shuttle is down 66%, Elderly and Disabled rides increased slightly by 10%.

Service levels remain at pre-COVID levels. Staff continue to work to provide safe transportation by ordering permanent hand sanitizing stations for each vehicle and procurement of permanent, professionally installed germ guards. Vehicle disinfecting, PPE and social distancing requirements continue.

Currently staff are working to create the next STIF Plan. The Plan will be taken to the Transit Advisory Board in September, the Clackamas County Advisory Committee in October and on to TriMet’s Board for approval in November.

In July, Transit conducted a RFQ for 2 new vehicles for the Elderly and Disabled medical rides program. The results were for gasoline and alternative fuel comparisons. The resulting bids were surprisingly high so transit staff will continue market research to explore all options before bringing before Council for recommendations and approval.

A construction plan is currently being created to move the Highway 26 bus stop currently in front of KFC further West, after the intersection. A new shelter will also be constructed at this stop.