Ridership continues to improve. Total ridership this month was 11,168 compared to 9,940 rides in 2016, an overall increase of 12.4%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 9% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 245.8% increase over the first month of implementation last December. The Estacada route has also rebounded and increased 18.1% as compared to October 2016. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) increased by 44%.

STAR is the only route to experience a decrease in ridership, an intended consequence of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership decreased by 8.8%, from 1160 to 1058. The reduction in ridership has allowed STAR to return to same day service without the need of an additional vehicle and driver.

In October, SAM staff (Andi Howell, Muna Rustam), TAC members (Heather Michet, Joseph Lowe and Roxy Tolva) attended the Oregon Public Transportation Conference in Pendleton. Andi Howell was a presenter at the conference on a school education program Sandy created in which the resulting children’s art is used as the posted “rules” on the SAM Gresham buses.

Andi and Muna also participated in the State Roadeo as judges. Two SAM drivers, Brain Jensen and Ben Smith, competed in the Roadeo. Brian received a perfect score on the wheelchair securement test and 3rd on the written exam. Ben placed 3rd on pre-trip inspection section of the competition. Both drivers were excellent representations of the professional, well trained drivers who work for RoJoy Services on behalf of the City.

During October, Andi Howell participated on the Estacada Technical Advisory Committee as part of the Bike/Ped improvement plan. This plan will become a subset of the existing Transportation Services Plan. Andi also participated on a statewide panel, the 5311 work group, to discuss the current process of disseminating these federal funds, including method, factors used in the allocation process and performance measures.  These funds are a vital source of revenue for all rural transit agencies as well as the most stable.  Both the Estacada TAC and the 5311 work group will continue into November.

Plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue. Staff from ODOT Rail and Public Transit and the Highway division visited the Operations Center to better understand the project and begin the Scope of Work to move the project along. The plan is to begin construction by spring 2018.

Finally, in a partner update, Mount Hood Express services began chaining vehicles as of October 1. The bike trailers have been removed from service and ski boxes have been affixed to the back of the buses for the winter season.

Total ridership this month was 10,571 compared to 10,053 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 5%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 6% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 68% increase over the first month of implementation in December.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 9% over August 2016. This decrease is due to a road closure in Estacada that caused a disruption in service for several weeks. Although we did not stop service, one of the most frequented bus stops was impacted. Construction ceased and the road was reopened October 10, so we expect to see ridership recover.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) provided the same number of trips this month as compared to September 2016.

Finally, STAR ridership decreased by 9%. Most of the decrease can be attributed to the success of the shopper shuttle route.

In September, Muna Rustam, Transit’s Program Administrator provided a day training in conjunction with Oral Hull for the Blind. Participants were picked up by Sandy Transit’s dial-a-ride service STAR, transported to Tollgate for an informational lunch where Muna and TriMet provided information to the class about transit services. After lunch, the group transferred onto the SAM Gresham route where they connected with TriMet services in Gresham. Later, the group was returned via SAM Gresham and STAR. These types of training are an integral service that SAM provides to groups and individuals free of charge as part of our travel training program.

SAM also took part in a “Transit Outside Metro” story line conducted by Metro. Impressed by the level of service Sandy provides, Metro asked to interview riders. We were happy to have them at the Operations Center in Sandy where they interviewed riders and rode the fixed route.

Sandy staff and TAC member Caren Topliff attended an STF (Special Transportation Funds) workgroup to discuss and create improved performance measures and reporting procedures to the STF Advisory Committee.

The TAC meeting was held in September as well. Currently TAC has no bylaws or term limits. Reorganization of the committee to meet the needs of the City and the Federal government were discussed at length.

Total ridership this month was 11,319 compared to 10,577 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 7%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 5.8% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 210.8% increase over the first month of implementation in December.

Transit is thrilled to report that the SAM Estacada route experienced an increase of 2.6% over August 2016.  August 2016 was before the many changes were made to the Estacada route, therefore, ridership on this route has returned and saw a slight increase.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 17% decrease.  This program saw a large increase in usage in 2016, even with a 17% decrease over August of 2016, ridership remains 71.9% higher than the ridership in August 2015.  A return to lower numbers of out-of-town medical trips is welcome.

Finally, STAR ridership decreased by 9.8%.  Most of the decrease can be attributed to the success of the shopper shuttle route.  The SAM shopper was designed to augment the higher cost, high demand dial-a-ride service and reduce some scheduling difficulties.

In August, Transit learned they had been awarded a Transportation Growth Management award from ODOT.  This project is estimated at $120,000 of which Sandy Transit will provide 12% or $14,400.  This project will provide a 20 year plan for the transit system and identify Sandy Transit’s role in regional connectivity.

Sandy staff collaborated with the Recreation and Library Departments to provide the trolley during the Eclipse Event in the park.  The shuttle operated for 3 hours and transported 39 people to the event.

As part of the Sandy/Mount Hood Express collaboration, Sandy added a new employee to the team in August.  Lucy Brice brings customer service, accounting and technology skills to the Transit team which are vital attributes for the Transit Administrative Assistant position.

Total ridership this month was 10,238 compared to 9,927 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 3.1%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 5% increase in ridership. The new Shopper Shuttle has experienced 102.5% increase over the first month of implementation in  December.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 23.4%. Although this is an increase of 24.8% since the largest drop in ridership when changes were made to the route in December of 2016, staff are developing a service plan enhancement for this route. This enhancement will require additional funding and staff are actively involved in submitting grants to supplement some of the outreach and advertising costs.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 28.9% decrease, a welcome slow to what has been a high demand and under-funded service in recent years. Finally, STAR ridership decreased by 12.3%. The STAR dial-a-ride system has been returned to a same day service when the schedule allows however dispatchers do a fantastic job of routing people to the SAM Shopper when possible.

In July, Sandy Transit received the much anticipated Hometown Trolley. The trolley was purchased using Special Transportation Funding (STF); the cost to the City was $10,639.  This “trolley style” vehicle is built on a Ford rail chassis and carries 18-20 passengers and 2 wheelchair stations. It is a low floor vehicle with a Kelderman air system for kneeling, a Braun ramp and no interior steps. The trolley will operate on the SAM Shopper route in-town and be pulled into special events which warrant a shuttle to reduce the numbers of cars on Highway 26. The first run was in the Sandy Mountain Festival parade on July 6. Saturday and Sunday of the festival the trolley operated as a shuttle in an effort to reduce congestion and parking issues. As with most new vehicles, the trolley then returned to the vendor for some minor adjustments and Sandy is still working out some tire rubbing problem in the passenger wheel well but the vehicle has been in service. In collaboration with the Recreation and Library Departments, the trolley will run a shuttle route during an Eclipse Event in a local park.

In collaboration efforts with other Region 1 rural transit agencies, Sandy participated in a “One Call, One Click” workgroup meeting. During the 2017-2019 STF grant process, the STF Advisory Committee voted to obtain grant funding for a “one stop” style system that would allow anyone, especially persons with a disability and/or the elderly, to be able to easily identify their transportation options in Multnomah, Clackamas and Hood River Counties. The funds were awarded and a “One Call, One Click” feasibility study is underway. Also as a collaborative effort, Sandy’s Transit Director joined the Columbia Area Transit District’s selection committee for a new Transit Director in Hood River County. Patty Fink, a transit consultant, was chosen for the position.

Finally, in July, Transit began the hiring process for a new Transit Assistant as Sandy began oversight of Mount Hood Express operations.  This new working relationship has already proven worthy of cost efficiency as we implement new approaches to procure stock supplies and mechanical time management.

Total ridership this month was 10,713 compared to 10,005 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 7.1%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 15.5% increase in ridership. The new Shopper Shuttle experienced 18% growth over the previous month and a 102.5% increase over the first month of implementation.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 37.4%. This route had seen monthly growth since changes were implemented, we will continue to monitor this route and will increase outreach to promote awareness of the new possibilities. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 6.5% decrease, a welcome slow to what has been a high demand and under-funded service in recent years. Finally, STAR ridership decreased by 16.5%. Some of this ridership decline can be attributed to the increased ridership on the Shopper Shuttle as this was the intended purpose of the shuttle, to augment a heavily used dial-a-ride system.

During this month, Sandy Transit applied for the TGM grant to update the Transit Master Plan. Sandy has seen significant growth and development since the last Master Plan study in 2008, adopted in 2009. At the adoption of the Sandy Transportation Plan, the Sandy population was approximately 8,000, a 49% increase since the 2000 Census population report. Based on projections by the City and ECONorthwest, the population was expected to reach 11,023 by 2029. According to the Portland State University annual population estimates, the Sandy population had already reached 10,655 as of July 1, 2016. The City has seen increased development and has undergone an urban growth boundary expansion of 652 acres. The majority of the “future transit needs” outlined in the current TMP have been implemented including the construction of a Transit Center in the Plaza, 2 bus shelters on Hwy 26, increased Saturday service hours on the SAM Gresham and SAM Estacada route, Sunday service added to the SAM Gresham route, a new shopper shuttle, and fares implemented on all routes. This grant, if awarded, will result in new transit master plan as part of the TSP.

Also in June, Sandy staff were actively engaged in several regional transit interests. Staff were active on behalf of the OTA board which has been working to provide information and support of the 2017 Transportation Bill. This bill was important to the future of transit funding and Sandy contacted local State Representation requesting support of the House Bill. Staff also attended meetings with Clackamas County Tourism to discuss future partnerships in the 26 corridor, the Hood River Transit District’s selection committee as they seek a qualified applicant for the Director position and the Mount Hood Transportation Alliance meetings to discuss the future of Mt Hood Express. Staff worked with Clackamas County and the City attorney in June to finalize the IGA between Clackamas County and Sandy regarding the administrative tasks that will be performed by Sandy on behalf of Mt Hood Express beginning July 1, 2017.

Total ridership this month was 11,276 compared to 10,159 riders in 2016, an overall increase of 11%. This is the third month that Sandy Transit has been able to report a growth in ridership and is a good indication of the success of the new fare structure implemented in November 2016.

The SAM-Gresham route experience an 11.9% increase in ridership. STAR ridership increased by 13.1%. The new Shopper Shuttle experienced a 13.8% growth over the previous month and a 71.7% increase over the first month of implementation.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 25%. This route continues monthly growth in ridership since the route changes in November of 2016. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 15.1% decrease, a welcome slow to what has been a high demand service in recent years.

SAM partnered with Compassion Sandy in May. Compassion Sandy is a group of churches and volunteers who put together medical and dental services as well as clothing donations in a one day event for low income families and individuals. SAM provided free rides all day to ensure there were no barriers for people to access the needed goods and services. Sam also partnered with Todos Juntos during the past few months to provide rides for families attending parenting classes at the local grade school. Three families were transported through the STAR program while one mother received rides through a non-profit known as Sandy Helping Hands as her location was outside the SAM service area. SAM, Todos Juntos and Sandy Helping Hands worked together weekly to ensure each family was able to attend.

Sandy staff meet with Arboc, ODOT, DAS and Creative Bus Sales to identify solutions for ongoing mechanical problems with 2 Arboc Spirit of Freedom buses bought in 2014 and 2016. Both vehicles continue to have problems and are not operational a significant percentage of the time since being added to the Sandy fleet.

The Transit Assistant, Muna Rustam, attended a training at the Sandy Senior Center focused on meaningful interaction with people with Mental Health Issues. Although the training was primarily focused on mental health as related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the information is applicable to a variety of mental health disorders.

Staff also attended the quarterly Mt Hood Transportation Alliance in May, at which it was announced that the County has contracted with Sandy Transit for various administrative tasks of the Mt Hood Express service. This was well received by the group. Sandy and County employees began meeting to exchange information, documentation, procedural policy and more for a smooth transition July 1, 2017.

Total ridership this month was 10,488, compared to 10,446 riders in 2016.  The SAM-Gresham ridership increased by 2.3%.  STAR ridership increased by 6.5%.  The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 64.3% increase and the new Shopper Shuttle experienced a 50.8% increase over the first month of implementation.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 24.9%.  This route continues monthly growth in ridership since the route changes in November of 2016.

Transit held another transit training in April.  Muna arranged a guided training for residents of the Whispering Pines retirement home in Estacada.  Muna and 15 senior citizens rode the SAM Estacada route to the Transit Center, had a brief snack at Joe’s Donuts, and rode the SAM Estacada evening run back.  The seniors were thankful to have someone help them learn to navigate the transit system to get to Sandy for shopping and recreation.  This type of training is integral to the continued independence of senior citizens in our communities.

Staff and several TAC members attended Transit Day at the Capitol.  Heather Michet, (Chair) Joseph Lowe (Vice Chair), Caren Topliff (STFAC member), Roxy Tolva (resident), Muna and Andi met with Representative Mark Johnson, heard from Senator Beyer and Governor Kate Brown regarding the much anticipated Transportation Package, observed Senate and House sessions and spoke with staff from Senator Chuck Thomsen’s office.  It was a great opportunity to say thank you for their service to our community and speak with them about the importance of SAM and other connecting rural routes, such as Mount Hood Express and Mount Hood Villages Shuttle.  The Transportation Package is anxiously awaited as many sub committees have suggested transit funding as an integral part of any proposed package.

Sandy received $9,900 for the Dodge Caravan that was surplused in April.  The van bid was won by a young man who is a paraplegic due to an accident.  Muna and Andi delivered the van to his home in Portland.

Total ridership this month was 11,526, an increase of 5.9%.  The SAM-Gresham ridership increased by 7.9%.

The SAM Estacada route experienced a decrease of 34.7%.  This route experienced significant changes in November.  Ridership is incrementally increasing each month and has grown by 23.6% since January.  We expect the ridership to continue to rebound.

STAR ridership decreased by 1.2%.  Elderly and Disabled ridership on STAR remained high at 65%.  The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced an 8.4% increase in ridership as compared to March 2016.

The new Shopper Shuttle experienced a 22.2% increase over last month.  This route has grown by 92.5% since implementation.

Sandy staff attended an ESL class at the Sandy library for transit training.  Staff demonstrated how to schedule a STAR ride one week and took the class on SAM field trip in town the following week.  7 adults and 11 children were trained during the course.  Sandy also added Language Lines to SAM services in an effort to remove the language barrier and better communicate with ESL passengers.  This will allow staff to conference call an agency equipped with interpreters of 222 languages.

The TAC committee had an especially productive meeting with a variety of input from the members.  Heather Michet presented a list of creative ideas for TAC members to be involved and disseminate information in the community.  Caren Topliff shared her experience with the STF process and the funding received.  All members engaged in a vibrant discussion regarding ADA compliance and the service animal policy.  Due to some recent confrontations with passengers regarding the rights of their companion and/or service animals, Sandy staff has decided to take the focus away from eligibility as a service animal and focus the importance on the behavior of the animal and the owner.  All animals will be asked to be leashed and/or contained while on Sandy vehicles and will be removed, regardless of ADA status, if not under complete control of the owner.  By focusing on the behavior of the owner and animal, all passenger’s rights are respected.

*Updated by Andi Howell May 3, 2017 due to ridership data update.

Total ridership this month was 9,195.  Overall ridership decreased by 12%.  The SAM-Gresham ridership decreased by 12.8%.  SAM-Estacada ridership was 510 which is a 41% decrease from the previous year.  The SAM-Estacada route experienced significant changes to the route in November.  Although 510 is 41% decline from the previous year, it has steadily increased in ridership each month since the implementation of changes.   There was 21% increase since December 2016 and a 22% increase over last month.  We expect the ridership to continue to rebound for this route.

STAR ridership decreased by 4%.  Due to weather, there were a few days when STAR was for life sustaining services only.  Elderly and Disabled ridership on STAR remained high at 65%.  The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) experienced a 12.8% increase in ridership as compared to February 2016.

The new Shopper Shuttle experienced a 57.5% increase in ridership since the December launch.

Sandy staff spent many hours preparing for the State Special Transportation Fund (STF) and Federal 5310 program grant cycle. Anticipated funding amounts were announced in February.  Both STF and 5310 experienced decreased funding for this biennium at 12% and 16% reductions.  Sandy Transit took the bulk of the funding loss in vehicle replacements to keep STAR, ED, Estacada and preventative maintenance funding as steady as possible. This biennium will be difficult and some policy changes may need to be made, especially to the Elderly and Disabled program as the demand for medical and life sustaining rides into areas outside of the Sandy area continues to increase.

The grant agreement for the ITS equipment for SAM and MHX buses is now in place and an RFQ will go out soon.  The Department has met many, many vendors and had the privilege of Joe Knapp’s presence at the last demonstration.  This proved very helpful with data capacity information and the possibility of self-hosting the data that is collected.  ITS equipment will allow real time arrival data, on board automated announcements and upgrade data collection for much improved reporting.

Finally, the minivan that was surplused last month sold for $10,000.  The company that won the bid provides medical transportation in the Portland area and are very excited to buy the other minivan when it is posted.

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