From the Transit Manager

May Ridership

Overall, SAM ridership provided 8,049 rides, a slight decrease of 3.7% compared with May 2025. SAM-Gresham increased by 1.4% providing 5,727 rides. SAM-Estacada transported 783 passengers, an increase of 0.77%. SAM Clackamas provided 309 rides, decreasing by 42.67%. SAM Shopper also had a small decline of 6.39%, providing 513 rides.

SAM rides provided 650 rides, a decrease of 16.24% compared with May 2025. SAM Med provided 93 rides, a decrease of 7.00%.

SAM-Clackamas Partnership

SAM and Clackamas County’s partnership continues to provide monthly revenue to the Transit Department. This includes $5,297 monthly for administrative support and rent, $2,037.57 for medical transportation of 23 Clackamas County residents outside the City limits and $26, 948.50 in FLAP reimbursement. The total received for May 2026 was $34,283.07.

From the Transit Manager

April Ridership

Overall, April 2026 ridership slightly declined by 4.5% compared to April 2025. Total ridership was 7,839 passengers. SAM-Gresham provided 5,449 rides, a decrease of 6.04%. SAM-Estacada experienced a 2.17% increase, providing 754 rides. SAM-CTC was down slightly (4.49%) transporting 340 passengers. The Shopper increased by 3.20% with 520 one way trips.

SAM rides provided 710 rides, including 32 seniors for the annual Egg Hunt. It was a slight decrease of 6.82% compared to April 2025. SAM med experienced a 13.95% increase transporting 98 clients to medical appointments.

From the Transit Manager

March Ridership

March 2026 ridership declined slightly, compared to March 2025 ridership with a 8.18% decline, providing 7,483 one way trips. SAM-Gresham provided 5,159 and was down 11.04% compared to last year at this time. SAM-Estacada experienced a 12.23% increase, providing 716 rides. SAM-CTC was down 46.26% providing 302 rides. The Shopper Shuttle had 532 riders, a 19.02% increase. We believe this small decline was a temporary reduction, possibly due to spring break vacations.

SAM rides provided transportation to 703 passengers, a 16.97% increase. SAM med (formerly ED) provided 71 rides, a decrease of 31.07%.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

SAM and Clackamas County continue to partner together which continue to provide monthly revenue to the Transit Department. This includes $5,297 monthly for administrative support and rent, $13,303.30 for medical transportation to Clackamas County residents outside of the Sandy City limits and $29,701.22 in reimbursement for FLAP services. The total for March is $48,301.52 for all services.

From the Transit Manager

February Ridership

February 2026 ridership was almost identical to February 2025 ridership. A total of 6,663 one way trips were made this year, a slight decrease of 0.39% when compared to the previous year. SAM-Gresham provided 4,489 rides, a decrease of 5.45%. SAM-Estacada remained stable with 555 rides, an increase of 2.02%. SAM CTC also experienced a decline of 25.77% The Shopper Shuttle, however, had a considerable increase of 52.93% or 575 rides.

SAM rides increased ridership by 29.88%, providing 665 rides. SAM med (formerly ED) provided 65 rides, a decrease of 24.42%.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

SAM and Clackamas County continue to partner together providing a continued stream of revenue to the Transit Department. This includes the ongoing monthly $5,297 administrative support and rent, a variable revenue for County wide SAM med and a variable reimbursement for SAM FLAP service on SAM Gresham and Estacada. The reimbursement includes fuel and an hourly rate for the allotted service times.

From the Transit Manager

January Ridership

In January of 2026 SAM provided 7,704 rides, an overall increase of 0.26% compared to January of 2025. SAM Gresham experienced a slight decrease of 2.72%. SAM Estacada provided 711 rides, an increase of 16.56% compared to January of 2025. SAM Clackamas also had an increase of 4.56 % and the Shopper Shuttle increased by 8.6%.

SAM rides provided 679 rides in January 2026, an increase of 4.78% from January 2025. SAM med (formerly known as ED) provided 70 rides, a decrease of 28.57%.

Rider Comments

From time to time we receive comments from passengers that reflect what the drivers do every day. A recent message left by a rider stated, “Thank you for keeping us safe at the metro here in this area. God bless and thank you for all that you do. Thank you for all the rides and the help and everything. Thank you for protecting my military family.”

Another passenger sent in the following email, “I did not catch the gentleman’s name who was driving last night but I just wanted to say you have truly hired a gem of a person with him. Last night there was an elderly man, who was very confused about where he was and where he needed to go and your driver went above and beyond to help take care of him. In the turmoil of our society these days, it was a blessing to see firsthand such a kind hearted person caring for someone he didn’t even know.”

Drivers often go without recognition but they truly are the heart and soul of our operation. They truly set the standard for excellent customer service!

From the Transit Manager

Ridership Year Overview

SAM provided 95,257 rides in 2025 an overall increase of 6.7% compared to 2024. A month to month comparison from 2024 to 2025 ridership saw a regular increase as illustrated in the chart above. Of particular note was SAM Estacada, which increased 152.76%. This was due to the interline with the Villages Shuttle, enabling us to increase service. Another area that has shown considerable increase is in the dial a ride service, particularly for special events such as the incredibly popular Jolly Trolley and travel training opportunities with students. While ridership has not reached pre-pandemic levels it has certainly made a robust rebound from the pandemic. We expect that trend to continue into the future as we see a continued increase in the demand for public transit.

The Jolly Trolley

The Jolly Trolley was as popular as ever. We opened registration on two separate dates and all runs were booked by 9:00 am both days. We had a total of 208 riders on all 8 rides and a waiting list of 120. Everyone enjoyed caroling while traveling to the various light displays through town. With it’s popularity, we are discussing options of how we may be able to do more next Winterfest!

SAMSquatch

SAMSquatch, the normally elusive and mysterious SAM rider, was spotted in the wild-aboard a SAM bus! Makingsuprise appearances on one of the Jolly Trolley runs and the Shortest Day Walkway! SAMSquatch even posed for a foot selife to show off SAM’s cool new bus flooring! Be on the lookout, you never know when SAMSquatch might show up on your bus ride!!

From the Transit Manager

Ridership

Total SAM ridership for September 2025 was 8,427 rides, an increase of 12.71% compared with September 2024. SAM-Gresham provided 5,956 rides, an 11.10% increase from 2024. SAM-Estacada had a 157.10% increase with 910 rides in September. The SAM-CTC increased by 39.2% with 419 and the Shopper Shuttle declined by 42.86% with 392 rides. The decline may be due to the return to school routine for many families.

SAM rides had a slight decline of -0.74% providing 671 rides in September 2025, 5 less than the previous September. The ED program experienced a -20.2% decline, providing 79 medical rides.

Sandy-Clackamas Partnership

SAM will receive $5,132.96 in revenue from the oversight of Mt. Hood Express. SAM ED provided 150 rides to Clackamas County residents, generating $18,081.88. SAM Estacada will also receive reimbursement all FLAP service. That includes 2 runs daily and all day Sunday.

SAM’s New Vehicle Ribbon Cutting and Ride-Along

On Friday, September 26th, Representatives Christine Drazan, Representative April Dobson and Staff from Representative Hoa Ngugyen’s office joined Mayor Kathleen Walker, Councilwomen Kristina Ramsayer and Laurie Smallwood (not pictured), ODOT staff including Administrator Suzanne Carlson and the SAM Director, Andi Howell, in unveiling a new wrap on SAM’s newest Gillig. A Ride Along followed to highlight an important regional connection, the CTC route. If you were not able to make it to the ribbon cutting we hope you stop by to view the new wrap. It features the iconic Jonsrud Viewpoint with a new view and each bus showcases a Sandy park!

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.