In April, the very important stakeholders group met to discuss Sandy’s future transit priorities. The meeting was held at the Community Center with 17 community members. Additionally, public outreach occurred in April, with both on board and online surveys. The Public Input Summary Phase One: Key Choices can be found on the Transit webpage.

Sandy staff were involved with the Mount Hood Transportation Alliance group which has begun holding their quarterly meetings at the Sandy Operations Center. The focus of this group is to prioritize transit projects, schedules and services in and around the Mount Hood Communities. The expansion of the Mount Hood Express service to Timberline Lodge arose from this group and they continue to seek solutions to the traffic and safety conditions in the Highway 26 corridor. Currently, members of this group are also interested in the “Vision Around the Mountain Plan”. Sandy is a participant in this plan and is working with other agencies, including Clackamas County and Hood River Special District to create transit service “around the mountain”.

SAM services provided 11,144 rides in total, an overall decrease of 1.5% compared to April 2018. SAM Gresham provided 8,675 of those rides, a drop of 2.2%. SAM Estacada experienced a small, 3.3% increase. The Shopper Shuttle experienced a 47.6% increase with 583 rides in April. STAR experienced a 6.7% decrease, likely due to riders choosing the Shopper Shuttle.  ED remained relatively unchanged providing 72 rides compared to 74 last year.

The TMP Update continues at a rapid pace.  The Choices Report is complete and available on the Sandy Transit webpage.  Michelle Poyourow, from our consulting team, introduced the choices report to the City Council and the Planning Commission in March.  The public survey is also available on the Transit webpage.  The survey will be given to riders and Sandy citizens.  Consulting team members will provide Sandy residents with the opportunity to take the survey in April at various in-town locations.

Staff were successful during the Special Transportation Funds (STF) funding process, however, 40% of those funds may be cut during this legislative session.  These cuts would translate to a loss of approximately 4,800 rides on the STAR dial-a-ride program in the coming biennium.  Andi Howell, the Transit Director, is working with the Oregon Transit Association (OTA) as a board member on ways to advocate to return this funding in full to the Governor’s Budget.

A project manager, Steve Kragrud,  was hired to manage the 2 construction projects currently underway in the Transit Department.  Two new bus barns and the repair and upgrade of the bus wash facility are in beginning phases.  Both construction projects are at the Sandy Operations Center.  Steve is from the CBRE firm out of Lake Oswego.  He has many years of construction project management experience, including the recent upgrades to the Cedar Ridge property (formerly Sandy High School).

SAM services provided 10,875 rides in total, an overall decrease of 3.7% compared to March 2018. SAM Gresham provided 8,394 of those rides, a drop of 5.4%. SAM Estacada experienced a small, 2.5% decrease.  STAR experienced a 10.6% decrease.  ED a 32% decrease.  The Shopper Shuttle experienced a 67% increase with 600 rides in March.

The TMP Existing Conditions and Choices Report is complete and ready for distribution at the upcoming Stakeholder’s meeting, scheduled for April 15, 2019, at the Community Center. It provides an in-depth look at the City of Sandy’s service, growth potential, challenges and opportunities. This will guide the stakeholders as we move forward with revising and updating the current transit master plan.

Staff were successful during the Special Transportation Funds (STF) funding process and were awarded funding at the levels requested.  STF funds support all of Sandy’s transit services but are primary and essential to the STAR dial-a-ride program, the Elderly and Disabled medical rides program and the Estacada service.  This grant cycle also provides funds for the replacement of 2 mini vans for the Transit medical ride program.
Sandy resident Caren Topliff, and staff Andi Howell, sit on the Advisory Committee of this funding process. Sandy staff thank Caren Topliff for her time during this process and her dedication to Sandy Transit.

The construction of 2 bus barns at the Operations Center has received federal approval to break ground.  This was a time consuming, lengthy process and provides much relief to the continuation of the project.

SAM services provided 8,597 rides in total, an overall decrease of 11.8% compared to  February 2019. The primary reason for this decline is a decline in ridership on the Sandy Gresham route.  SAM Gresham provided 6,531 of those rides, a drop of 16.8%.  Other Sandy routes such as the dial-a-ride, the Shopper Shuttle and Estacada saw fairly steady or increased ridership.

Compared to February 2018, SAM Estacada experienced another increase in ridership, going up 6.2%. The Sandy Shopper increased by 53.9%. STAR dial-a-ride remained fairly stable with a small decrease of 1.2%. Elderly and Disabled rides increased by 5.4% from 56 to 59 rides.

Sandy Transit’s first kick-off meeting for the updated Transit Master Plan was January 9th. Representatives from Sandy, the County, ODOT and several consultants spent the day on various aspects of the Master Plan. The first big outreach event will take place in March, stakeholders will begin to receive emails and invitations in February.

Sandy staff submitted 5 grant applications to the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee in January and gave a presentation to the committee on the importance of the funding to the elderly and disabled population in Sandy. Caren Topliff, a member of Sandy Transit Advisory Board, and Andi Howell, Transit staff, serve on the STFAC board. There is approximately $7.4 m available for region 1 (which includes TriMet) elderly and disabled programs through STF and $8 million through 5310. Funding from both STF and 5310 are decided by the STFAC board. The committee will announce grant award recipients by the end of February.

Sandy Transit released an RFQ for 2 new medium sized buses. 2 state-contracted vendors bid on the RFQ. The bid and vehicle information will be presented to City Council at the February 19th meeting for approval of the procurement.

In January, SAM began using tablets only for passenger counts. Until January, SAM had always used pencil and paper to count passenger rides and since July had been using the tablets and paper.

SAM services provided 9,883 rides in total, an overall decrease of 4.6% as compared to the previous January. SAM Gresham provided 7,471 of those rides, a drop of 11.7%.  SAM Estacada, however, experienced a 14.5% increase in ridership. The SAM Shopper increased by 112% as compared to January of 2018. STAR dial-a-ride increased by 18.1%. Elderly and Disabled rides decreased by 17.2% from 64 to 53 rides.

In December, Transit staff ordered 2 new low-floor 35′ Gillig transit vehicles.  Additionally, a Request For Quotes (RFQ) for 2 new STAR vehicles was released.  The results of those RFQs will be available in January 2019.   Also in January 2019, one more RFQ will be released for a low-floor vehicle to replace vehicle #21 in the Sandy Transit fleet.  This vehicle primarily operates the Estacada route and has reached its useful life.

Transit staff presented a new Transit Asset Maintenance System (TAMS) to Council in December, highlighting the importance of maintenance and capital planning to keep the Sandy fleet in a “state of good repair” as outlined by Oregon Department of Transportation.  Replacing vehicles which are past their useful life, such as these 2 new Gillig and STAR vehicles, is vital for a safe and efficient public transit service.

SAM provided 8,925 rides in December.  SAM fixed routes experienced a 13% reduction as compared to last December.  Similar to last month, there is a significant drop in SAM Gresham rides; we are exploring the possibility of inaccurate counting due to the drivers currently using the new tablets and paper and pencil.  As of January 2019, we will begin using tablets only for passenger counts.

Estacada increased by 9.7%.  Once again this month, the in-town dial-a-ride (STAR) and the Shopper Shuttle increased. STAR increased by 18% and the  Shopper Shuttle increased by 146%.

Transit staff are preparing new schedules and updates that will take place in January 2019 with the new STIF funding (employee-paid payroll tax).  Beginning January 1, 2019, SAM Gresham will add a 9:00 pm weekday run and SAM Estacada will add a 6:30 pm Monday – Saturday run.  Both expansions provide improved connectivity to other services.

The Shopper Shuttle will be rerouted, adding Bluff Rd, Green Mountain Rd and Jewelberry Rd.  The route will continue to begin at Fred Meyer at noon, however, it will run the new loop in the first half hour and then loop through Sandy’s southern neighborhoods during the second half hour.  The Shopper Shuttle will also be rerouted to run westbound (neighborhoods, then shopping districts).

Additionally, and with great excitement, we are adding two hours to the Shopper Shuttle.  The shuttle will run 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, then return to the route from 5:25 pm to 7:25 pm to give students and others transportation options during after-school activities.

SAM provided 9,177 rides in November.  SAM fixed routes experienced a 10% reduction as compared to last November, however due to a significant drop in SAM Gresham counts, we are exploring the possibility of inaccurate counting due to the new tablet system.  Estacada increased by 4.2%.  Once again this month, the in-town dial-a-ride (STAR) and the Shopper Shuttle increased. STAR increased by 18.6% and the  Shopper Shuttle increased by 165%.  No, that is not a typo, the Shopper provided 234 rides in December 2017 compared to 620 in 2018!!

SAM put out a a Request For Proposals to rebuild the wash bay at the Operations Center.  We continue to work with the state and federal governments to move forward on the construction of 2 new bus barns at the Operations Center.  Next month, transit will release Request For Proposals for 3 new medium sized vehicles and 2 new large transit vehicles for the SAM Gresham route.  All projects going forward have been awarded grant funding.

Staff attended the Oregon Public Transportation Conference in Bend as well as 3 Transit Advisory Board members and 2 RoJoy staff.  Sandy Transit staff were part of the Conference planning committee and all involved were impressed by the quality of sessions put forward at this Conference.

Transit staff are busy preparing for changes and updates that will take place in January 2019 with the new STIF funding (employee paid payroll tax).

SAM provided 10,506 rides in October.  SAM fixed routes experienced a 10% reduction as compared to last October, while Estacada increased by 6.6%.  Once again this month, the in-town dial-a-ride (STAR) and the Shopper Shuttle increased. STAR increased by 21.6% and the Sandy Shopper increased by 12.8%.

SAM ridership decreased by 7.3 % in September 2018 as compared to September 2017. SAM provided 9,799 rides last month, compared to 10,571. 12,356 rides in May 2018 compared to 11,276 rides in May 2017, an overall increase of 9.6%.

SAM and Estacada routes both decreased, while the in-town dial-a-ride (STAR) and the Shopper Shuttle increased. STAR increased by 25% and the Sandy Shopper increased by 152%.

The success of the Sandy Shopper with the continued ridership of the in-town dial-a-ride support the recognition of the Transit Department of the need for transportation to in-town services by Sandy residents. The STAR service ridership, although open to the general public, is primarily used by the Elderly and Disabled in Sandy. In September, 77% of the STAR ridership were Elderly or Disabled.

In September, Sandy Transit held its quarterly Transit Advisory Board meeting in Council Chambers for the first time. Icompass was used to track the meeting.

Overall ridership remained consistent with August 2017 with no significant increase or decrease. In August SAM provided 11,221 rides.

Most notable changes for August 2018 is the high demand for the SAM Shopper and STAR dial-a-ride. STAR increased by 19% over last August.

The shopper shuttle once again showed significant increases at 69%. Last August, the shopper provided 373 rides in just 3 hours Monday – Friday. This August the shopper provided 626 rides in 3 hours Monday – Friday (just over 9 rides an hour).

In August, the Clackamas County Service Enhancement Plan for HB2017 funding was passed by Clackamas County and TriMet advisory committees. Sandy will receive funding for infrastructure updates and improvements, extended hours of service and capacity planning and construction for 2019, 2020.

In September, Sandy Transit intends to release RFQs for 2 new medium size buses and an RFP to rebuild the bus wash bay at the Sandy Operations Center. All 3 procurements are supported by funds recently awarded through State and Federal grants.

For July, take a quick overview of the past fiscal year at Sandy Transit.

For the FY17 to FY19 biennium, state funding for Elderly and Disabled service (STF) experienced a 16% reduction. Federal formula funding for transportation remained the same, with no increase or decrease.

Therefore, Sandy Transit implemented many changes in service in November and December of 2016 and sought additional funding sources. These changes were aimed at increased ridership, especially on the SAM Gresham route, an expanded coverage model to better serve the fast-paced growth of development occurring in Sandy, a business-friendly fare structure and a business-friendly shopper shuttle including a family friendly trolley experience.

Through grant writing and diligent planning, the Transit Department has been able to primarily maintain service, add an in-town route and trolley, increase ridership, significantly increase our contingency fund, procure funding for: 2 new medium buses, 2 new heavy duty buses and a rebuild of the wash bay at the Operations Center.

These are Sandy Transit fiscal year highlights after route and fare structure changes (comparing FY17 to FY18):

• Overall ridership increased by 6.9%
• SAM Gresham route, the route hit hardest by the fare implemented in 2013, rebounded at 15% growth. SAM Gresham continues to charge a $1.00 fare for service to/from Gresham while providing free service in the commercial corridor of town. This route will experience expansion in January 2019 with new transportation funding provided by the Transportation Bill 2017 “Keep Oregon Moving”.
• SAM Estacada, underwent a slight decrease in runs, but expanded days and route changes in late 2016. This route also experienced a fare structure change. The route charges $1.00 to/from Estacada, while providing free in-town service. This route rebounded this fiscal year with a 4% increase. It will also experience expansion in January 2019 with new transportation funding provided by the Transportation Bill 2017 “Keep Oregon Moving”.
• SAM Shopper was introduced in December 2016. To compare a similar context of time, January to July of 2017 was compared to January to July of 2018. The SAM Shopper increased by 87%. This route continues in popularity and has been increased from a 30-minute loop to 45 minutes to accommodate the number of boardings taking place in a 3-hour window of time.
• STAR dial-a-ride service experienced a slight decrease in service (3.6%). This was the expected outcome with the introduction of the SAM Shopper. Due to the high demand of the STAR dial-a-ride and difficulty meeting the schedule needs, the SAM Shopper was designed to augment the dial-a-ride service and provide a fixed route for target populations (apartment complexes and retirement homes) to their shopping destinations. The route was designed using STAR ridership patterns.
• ED, Sandy Transit’s non-emergency medical ride program, provides medical rides for out-of-town services that are not available in Sandy. ED experienced a 10% reduction in rides this fiscal year compared to FY17. This reduction is due, in part, to the Sandy dialysis clinic accommodating more local patients. The ED program has seen increased demand for several years. In FY16 for example, ED provided 510 rides, compared to 1,013 in FY18. With the aging population, this service will continue to increase in demand. Currently, Sandy Transit provides medical rides for Transit customers (Sandy residents) as well as Sandy Community Center customers (Oregon Trail School District and Boring residents). Due to a lack of capacity (drivers), Sandy Transit cannot meet the current demand. We are exploring options to increase the availability of this service for our most vulnerable populations (frail elderly and disabled).

Other happenings in Sandy Transit:

SAM ridership continues to increase. SAM provided 10,874 rides in July 2018 compared to 10,032 rides in July 2017, an overall increase of 5.5%.The DoubleMap app is up and running. We are currently working on technical issues on some of the tablets but overall we are pleased with the application.

• 11 tablets equipped with GPS were mounted in SAM and MHX buses.
• 11 interior LED signs were also included for visual stop announcements.
• Exterior and interior automated voice stop announcements were installed.
• Customers can look up bus real-time arrival estimates, watch their bus in motion on the app and online, look up bus stop amenities, such as lighting and shelter descriptions and get push notifications to their device when a bus is delayed or re-routed.
• For in-house administration, many reporting features are included, bus and driver information (such as speeds; on-time performance) are available as well as the ability to communicate to passengers through the push notifications in real time.