From the Transit Manager

Ridership

Overall, SAM ridership for August 2025 was 8,303 rides, an increase of 12.37% compared to 7,389 rides in August of 2024. Sam-Gresham transported 5,883 passengers, a 5.09% increase. SAM-Estacada grew 166.76% with 907 rides in August 2025. SAM-CTC provided 445 rides, a 100% increase from August 2024. The Shopper Shuttle provided 486 rides, a 27.15% decrease from August 2024.

SAM rides ridership decreased by 0.14% providing a total of 609 rides, including 24 rides to the Sandy Night Out. ED provided a total of 82 rides a 32.79% decrease.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

SAM received $5,132.96 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM ED provided 133 medical rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $13,473.58 in revenue. SAM Estacada expects to receive a reimbursement of approximately $19,425.00. Overall, SAM received $38,031.53 for August 2025.

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

Overall ridership for July 2025 was 8,580 rides, an increase of 6.4% compared to 8,062 rides in July 2024. SAM-Gresham transported 6,184 passengers, a 2.1% increase. SAM-Estacada continues to prove itself to be a much needed service providing 828 rides, a 228.57% increase. SAM-CTC is also trending upward with 89.06% increase. The Shopper Shuttle provided 438 rides this July compared to 709 rides last year, a 38.22% decrease.

SAM rides ridership increased 13.36%, compared to July of 2024. This count included 109 riders on the Mountain Festival route on July 12-13. ED rides saw a decline of 37.7% providing 76 rides.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

SAM and Clackamas County’s new IGA increases the monthly revenue of the oversight of Mt. Hood Express from $4,422.34 to $5,132.96. SAM provided 157 medical rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $13,308.27 in revenue. The total received to operate the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County grant was $$22,380.02. Overall, SAM received $40,821.25 for July 2025.

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

Overall ridership for June 2025 increased by 6.71%, providing 8,350 rides. SAM-Gresham had 5,891 riders, a small decrease of 2.35%. SAM-Estacada has a whopping 231.11% increase (894 passengers)!! SAM-Clackamas is also experiencing a large increase of 67.30%, providing 440 rides. The Shopper Shuttle had a decrease of 4.13% in June. While there was a small decline, ridership remains steady.

SAM rides provided 582 rides, a 14.79% decrease. ED provided 79 rides, a 14.13% decrease. Fluctuations in dial-a-ride are likely do to changing schedules, the end of school and changes in medical appointments.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

In June, SAM collected $4,422.34 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 148 medical rides to Clackamas County residents, collecting $11,283.10 in revenue. The total received to operate the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County FLAP grant was $19,718.78. Total revenue was $35,424.22.

New and Improved Bus Stop Amenities

Thanks to recent grant funding, the Sandy Transit Center has received important upgrades that improve safety, visibility and rider experience. You may notice brighter shelters with upgraded solar-powered lights. Additionally, light poles have been added at bus other designated bus stops. All of the added lighting enhances nighttime security and reducing the City’s carbon footprint. Finally, a new digital sign at the Sandy Transit Center now displays and announces real-time route information and service alerts. These improvements make the Transit Center more welcoming and user-friendly supporting Sandy Area Metro’s commitment to accessible, sustainable transportation for all.

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

Overall ridership continues to trend upward! SAM provided 8,321 rides in May 2025, an increase of 1.9% compared to May 2024. SAM-Gresham had a 8.83% ridership decrease, transporting 5,648 passengers. SAM-Estacada had a huge increase of 129.88% compared to May 2024. SAM-Clackamas had a 77.9% increase and SAM-Shopper increased by 7.03%.

SAM rides had 776 passengers, an increase of 3.33%. 55 of the riders were for a special Cedar Ridge Middle School field trip! ED had a 3.09% increase taking 100 passengers to their medical appointments.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

In May, SAM collected $4,422.34 in revenue form the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 154 medical rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $13,266.94 in revenue. The total received to operate the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County grant was $18,646.80. Overall SAM received $36,336.08 for May 2025.

Wheel the World and SAM Service

Sandy Transit was able to take part in a wonderful opportunity to promote tourism in Sandy. Wheel the World, a company that searches out and advertises all accessible travel options for persons with disabilities, came out and did an assessment of SAM service. The assessment has been submitted for review and once that is complete we’ll be listed as a transportation option for anyone seeking to come and enjoy all that Sandy has to offer!

From the Transit Manager

Transit Day at the Capitol

On April 1, 2025 SAM staff traveled to Salem joining 50 other Oregon transit agencies for Transit Day at the Capitol. The Sandy team met with several legislators to thank them for their continued support of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), which has been vital to the improvement and expansion of Sandy service. These enhancements have directly benefited our community by connecting more people to work, school, medical appointments and essential services. In addition to expressing our thanks we also voiced support for the Oregon Transportation ReInvestment Package (TRIP) 2025 legislation, which promises to invest in sustainable, equitable and accessible transit solutions across the state. We are proud to continue to partner with local and state officials to serve the Sandy community.

Ridership

Overall ridership for April 2025 was 8,208 passengers, an increase of 4.36% compared to April 2025. SAM-Gresham had a modest decrease of 1.49%, providing 5,799 rides. SAM-Estacada provided 718 rides, an increase of 118.34% compared to last April. SAM-Clackamas increased by 17.41% transporting 356 riders. The Shopper Shuttle, with 502 rides, also experienced a modest decrease of 1.95%.

SAM rides provided 762 rides, an increase of 2.7%. This included the Senior Egg Hunt riders which totaled 35 passengers. ED experienced a 3.61% increase, providing 86 rides to those who would otherwise not be able to get to necessary resources.

SAM-Clackamas Partnership

SAM brought in $4,422.34 in revenue form the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 168 rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $13,432.25 in revenue. The total received to operate the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County grant was $17,636.87. Overall SAM received $35,491.46 for April 2025.

From the Transit Manager

Travel Training with Cedar Ridge Students

On Friday, March 14, 2025, SAM partnered with Cedar Ridge Middle School to provide a trolley Travel Training combined with a civics lesson for a group of engaged students. The training covered best practices for riding the bus, including how to identify the correct route, communicate your destination to the driver and follow proper bus etiquette. The trip concluded with a visit to City Hall and, of course, the beloved Joe’s Donuts. At City Hall, the City Manager welcomed the students and shared insights into his role, the function of City Council meetings and Sandy geography. The trip was quite a success, leaving students with valuable knowledge and a memorable experience.

Ridership

Overall ridership for March 2025 was 8,151 passengers, an increase of 10.72% from March 2024. SAM-Gresham provided 5,799 rides, a 7.59% increase. SAM-Estacada increased by 169.2% with 638 rides. SAM-Clackamas provided 562 rides, an increase of 102.2%. The Shopper Shuttle decreased by 24.9% providing 447 rides.

SAM rides experienced a decline of 24.5% in March of 2025. ED provided 104 rides, an increase of 57.8%. The decline in ridership is localized and may be due to temporary factors such as spring break and family vacations.

Sandy-Clackamas County Partnership

In February SAM brought in $4,422.34 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 139 rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $12,192.36 in revenue. The total received from the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County grant was $16,450.56. Overall SAM received $33,068.26 for the month of February.

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

February 2025 overall ridership declined by 6.75% compared with February 2024. Total ridership was 6,689 passengers. SAM-Gresham had 4,748 riders, a 11.98% drop from the previous year. The Shopper Shuttle provided 376 rides, a decrease of 32.98%. The decline in ridership is partially due to the winter storm that occurred mid-February. While we did experience some decline in ridership, the SAM-Estacada increased by 121.14%, providing 544 rides. SAM-Clackamas had 423 passengers, an increase of 235.71%.

SAM rides transported 512 passengers, a decrease of 31.64%. ED provided 86 rides, a decrease of 11.34%. The decrease is likely due to the extreme weather conditions.

Sandy-Clackamas County Partnership

In February SAM brought in $4,422.34 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 75 medical rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $12,192.36 in revenue. The amount received from the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County Grant was $16,450.56. The grand total revenue from the February services was $33,065.26.

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

SAM rang in the new year with an overall increase in January 2025 ridership by 31.44% compared with January 2024! SAM provided a total of 7,684 rides. SAM-Gresham transported 5,360 passengers, an increase of 21.65%. SAM-Estacada had an increase of 156.31%, providing 610 rides. SAM-Clackamas, hitting it’s one year mark, had 526 riders, an increase of 640.85%. The Shopper Shuttle provided 442 rides, an increase of 9.41%.

SAM rides remained steady, providing 648 rides which was equal to January 2024 ridership. ED transported 98 residents to medical appointments, an increase of 24.05%.

Sandy-Clackamas County Partnership

In January SAM brought in $4,422.34 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 91 rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $8,844.63 in revenue. The total received from the Estacada-Village Shuttle Clackamas County grant was $18,568.13. Overall SAM received $31,835.10 for the month of January.

From the Transit Manager

The Jolly Trolley

SAM celebrated the holidays in true transit style. Once again, the Jolly Trolley proved to be a holiday favorite for Winterfest attendees!! We began with a total of 10 tours on 5 separate days in December. We had such a long waiting list that we added an additional 4 runs for a total of 14. 383 riders enjoyed viewing lights, singing carols, stopping at the inflatable house for gifts and visiting the lights at Meinig Park where they were served hot chocolate and cookies. A shoutout to our drivers Chuck, Musa and Bradley for making this a memorable holiday event!

Ridership

Overall December 2024 ridership dipped slightly by 5.5% compared with December 2023. Historically, December ridership is historically lower, due to holiday schedules. SAM-Gresham provided 4,012 rides a decrease of 18.7% compared to last year. SAM-Estacada transported 574 passengers, an increase of 140.2%. The SAM-Clackamas route completed it’s 12 month with 458 riders! That is a 510.7% increase from the beginning of the year.

SAM rides provided 973 rides (383 on the Jolly Trolley), an increase of 80.2%. ED provided 88 medical rides in December of 2024, a 25.4% decrease compared to 118 rides in December 2023.

Sandy-Clackamas County Partnership

In December SAM brought in $4,837.34 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM provided 115 rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $10,704.48 in revenue. Total revenue for the month of December was $15,541.82. In addition to the revenue provided, shared installation of onboard tablet and associated equipment created cost efficiencies for both the City the County.

From the Director

In 2017, HB2017 “Keep Oregon Moving” was passed and included a new funding source for transit agencies across the State. This funding is referred to as the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF). All State funds (formerly STF) are now rolled into the STIF Fund distribution each biennium. The following table is the breakdown of Sandy’s STIF Plan for 2026-2027.

In summary:

$213,699 will continue to fund service on the Gresham, Estacada and Shopper Shuttle that were added when STIF was created in 2019. $52,256 funds the Saturday Shopper Shuttle service.

$20,000 is allocated for maintenance on all SAM vehicles. $20,000 is allocated to cover administration costs associated with the STIF Program (audit requirements). $30,061 is allocated as Program Reserve in case revenue or expenses experience unexpected negative returns (such as a revenue source is lost or a cost is significantly and unexpectedly higher).

$423,491 are funds that were formerly Special Transportation Funds (STF) and are awarded through a competitive process. These funds cover the operations expenses for SAM’s Elderly and Disabled dial-a-ride program (SAM rides), Elderly and Disabled out of town medical rides program (ED) and the Estacada route.

$978,261 are Regional Coordination funds and they cover all operating expenses of the new Clackamas Town Center route.

In total, the STIF Program funds $1,737,768 of SAM service costs for FY26-27.