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.

SAM ridership continues to increase.  SAM provided 11,291 rides in June 2018 compared to 10,956 rides in June 2017, an overall increase of 6.3%.  

The SAM Gresham route had a slight decrease of 1.8% ridership as compared to June 2017.   Estacada continues to do well with a ridership increase of 18.1% over the previous year. The Shopper Shuttle increased 130% from 243 rides in June 2017 to 559 rides in 2018.  Even with the success of the Shopper Shuttle STAR saw a 12.5% increase in ridership this month.

The elderly and disabled program, which gives non-emergency medical rides to the greater Metro region, saw a 39% decrease from 100 rides in 2017 to 61 rides in June 2018.  The new Sandy dialysis clinic and a general lack of availability on behalf of Sandy Transit have contributed to this decreased. Due to a reduced number of drivers, Sandy Transit is currently only sending one driver and one vehicle while providing rides on behalf of Sandy Transit clients and Sandy Community Center clients.  We are actively recruiting drivers.

The ITS application is up and running on SAM and MHX vehicles.  The very first day it was available, it was used to notify riders of a crash on Hwy 26 that caused a detour.  It will also be used to announce stop changes during the Sandy Mountain Festival in July. Please download the DoubleMap app to your phone for direct access to SAM and MHX real-time features.  

Staff continues to work on the new Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund project list.  This requires multiple monthly meetings with Clackamas providers, the county and TriMet. The project list is expected to be finalized and presented to TriMet by the end of July.  This very tight timeline has proven difficult due to the extensive rules adoption timeline and public process required.

SAM ridership continues to increase. SAM provided 12,356 rides in May 2018 compared to 11,276 rides in May 2017, an overall increase of 9.6%.

All routes showed an increase with the exception of STAR dial-a-ride. The Shopper Shuttle increased 160% from 206 rides in May 2016 to 536 rides in 2018. It is the success of the Shopper Shuttle that directly contributes to the decrease in STAR rides. Those who once depended on STAR for daily errands, now has a shuttle option.

Double Map was chosen for the Intelligent Information Solutions (ITS) for SAM and MHX buses. Double Map is a company that is headquartered in Indianapolis IN and has provides ITS service throughout the United States. The SAM app with estimated time arrivals and bus locations is coming soon! We were also able to procure interior LED signs for bus stop announcements and possibly advertising, automated bus stop announcement for better ADA service, driver tablets for better data gathering and pre and post trip modules on the tablets for improved fleet management.

A selection committee of SAM staff, ODOT representatives and a MHX representative selected a contractor for the updated Transit Master Plan in May. Once the scope of work and final contract budget is agreed upon by the state and contractor, the planning process will begin.

Transit Narrative

April 2018

After a slight decrease in ridership last month, SAM has resumed a healthy increase in ridership. SAM provided 11,316 rides in April 2018 compared to 10,488 rides in April 2017, an overall increase of 7.9%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced an 5.2% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 118.2% increase from April 2017. This consistent increase in service proves its importance to meet the needs of Sandy residents.

The Estacada route remained consistent with last year, increasing only by 1 rider. It went from 569 riders to 570 riders. The steady ridership reinforces the necessity of provided a commuter link between Sandy and Estacada.

STAR experienced a 16.8% increase in ridership as compared to 2017 with 1,314 scheduled rides last month.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) decreased by 19.6% due to increased dialysis treatment available in Sandy.

SAM staff chose a vendor for the ITS project.  DoubleMap Inc., a company out of Indiana, will provide GPS equipment, tablets, interior LED stop signage, automated announcements and a pre and post trip electronic module.  The equipment will be installed in June and live by June 30, 2018.

SAM staff attended a regional tourism meeting focused on increasing tourism with carless travel options. Staff will continue to attend and participate in future meetings as transit is a vital link in the tourism industry. In addition to planning for future opportunity staff also participated in trainings to reinforce proper reporting of submissions to the State.

SAM also partnered with the Sandy Library for El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Day of the Child/Day of the Book). The trolley provided a shuttle to and from Vista Loop and staff had a booth where they were able to share transportation options with library patrons. Continued collaboration in the future include a travel training with both the Library and the Senior Center.

After a full year of ridership growth, March had a slight decrease in ridership (1.99%).  March of SAM services provided 11,297 rides as compared to March provided 11,526 rides.  This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in rides on the SAM Gresham route.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 5.2% decrease in ridership. One possible explanation is construction and changes at the Gresham Transit Center.  During the changes, the SAM bus stop was moved slightly North from its previous location.

The new SAM Shopper has experienced 55.4% increase as compared to March 2017.

The Estacada route has shown rebound from all of the changes made in 2016 and grew by 25.5% as compared to March 2017This route has proven to be an important connection for commuters and the Transit Department hopes to add runs to this route in the near future, especially once the House Bill 2017 funds begin to be distributed.

STAR experienced a slight (2.5%) increase in ridership as compared to 2017 with 1334 scheduled rides last month.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) decreased by 30.2% due to increased dialysis treatment available in Sandy.

SAM staff were very successful in the last round of Federal grants.  Through several grant programs, Sandy Transit was awarded over $900,000 for 2 new heavy duty transit buses for the Gresham route, 2 new medium sized buses for the STAR dial-a-ride route and $80,000 to repair and improve the wash bay at the Operations Center.

In March, Sandy selected a vendor for ITS equipment on the buses.  DoubleMap will install tablets on 7 SAM vehicles and 3 MHX vehicles.  SAM will have an app and webpage that will show the location of moving buses and estimated arrival times.  DoubleMap will install interior signage that will visually display the next bus stop and could potentially display advertising.  The equipment will use the bus GPS location to announce the next stop automatically.  All of the information, including the pre-trip and post-trip entered by drivers will be uploaded to the computer reporting system located in the office reducing the need for office staff to enter the data.  The system will be up and running by June, according to the contract, but we actually expect completion sooner.

Due to changes made in late 2016, ridership continues to increase. Total ridership this month was 9,742 compared to 9,195 rides in 2017, an overall increase of 5.9%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced an 8.8% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 50% increase from February 2017.

The Estacada route decreased by 8.8%. The early morning run was canceled twice during the snow storm and this route operated on a snow route several days, impacting ridership.

STAR continues to decrease in ridership, due to the shift in ride mode to the SAM Shopper combined with road and weather conditions for 2 weeks of February. STAR ridership decreased by 9.1%, from 1188 to 1089.  The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) decreased by 42.3% due to increased dialysis treatment available in Sandy and weather conditions.

SAM staff continue to attend RAC meetings, hold a board position on the Oregon Transit Association and serve on the HB 2017 Regional Coordination Technical Committee.  All positions and attendance haven proven vital during the HB2017 rules writing process and the short legislative session.

The City’s partnership with Clackamas County continues to achieve efficient transportation goals in the area. Bus sharing has proven beneficial to both parties as necessary repairs are completed.  Both SAM and Clackamas County have numerous grant applications submitted to replace rolling stock and maintain a fleet “in good repair” as set by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Federal Transportation Association.  Available grant funds remain low statewide for procurement of vehicles.

Due to changes made in late 2016, ridership continues to increase at a swift pace. Total ridership this month was 10,356 compared to 8,740 rides in 2017, an overall increase of 18.5%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 19.1% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 76.9% increase from January 2017. The Estacada route increased ridership by 16.9%.

The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) decreased by 22.0% due to increased dialysis treatment availability in Sandy. STAR continues to decrease in ridership, due to the popularity of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership increased by 8.0%, from 1027 to 1110.

SAM staff continue to participate in a statewide workgroup to evaluate the current method of allocation for federal transit funds distributed to rural agencies (5311). The workgroup has finalized the changes that will go into effect in the next biennium. Staff continue to attend each RAC meetings concerning HB2017. SAM is collaborating with Clackamas County providers to ensure equity in funding and a county-wide approach to improved connectivity. Andi Howell is also serving on the HB 2017 Regional Coordination Technical Committee.

The City’s partnership with Clackamas County continues to achieve efficient transportation goals in the area. Bus sharing has proved to be beneficial to both parties as necessary repairs are completed.
The plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue to develop. Staff is preparing the Scope of Work for the updated Transit Master Plan. Staff opened bids for the vehicle ITS equipment and plan to make a final selection in February.

Ridership Patterns 2016-2018

Ridership continues to improve. Total ridership this month was 10,147 compared to 9,538 rides in 2016, an overall increase of 6.4%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 6.0% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 246.7% increase over the first month of implementation last December. There was due, in part, to a special run for the City’s tree lighting ceremony and it was a huge success! A total of 214 riders were driven to view neighborhood lights, eliminating a great deal of street traffic to a popular holiday attraction. The shuttle was so popular that an additional 5 runs were added and there was still a crowd as we shut down the service. Plans to increase the opportunity for next year’s event are already in the works. The Estacada route increased ridership by 1.9%. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) remained virtually the same (79 instead of 80 rides). STAR is the only route to experience a decrease in ridership, an intended consequence of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership decreased by 13.3%, from 1169 to 1013.

SAM staff continues to participate in a statewide work group to evaluate the current method of allocation for federal transit funds distributed to rural agencies (5311). This is an important piece of funding that provides much needed stability in revenue. The work group is expected to continue until April. Sandy staff are also actively involved in the rule making process for the allocation of the new HB 2017 funding. Staff have attended each rule making meeting and are working with other Clackamas County providers to ensure equity in funding and a county-wide approach to improved connectivity.

The City continues to work in an efficient partnership with Clackamas County to achieve transportation goals in the area. The bus sharing program that is currently in place is under review for further sharing opportunities during the peak winter season for Clackamas County. The City is currently expanding its ticket sale locations to include the Sandy library. Discussions to sell tickets with local businesses are also underway.
Plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue. Staff continues to revise the Scope of Work for the updated Transit Master Plan. Staff also is in process of the selection and procurement of ITS equipment.
Ridership Patterns 2016 – 2017

Ridership continues to improve. Total ridership this month was 9,901 compared to 9,506 rides in 2016, an overall increase of 4.2%.

The SAM-Gresham route experienced a 3.9% increase in ridership. The new SAM Shopper has experienced 95% increase over the first month of implementation last December. The Estacada route provided nearly the same number of rides as compared to October 2016 (505 versus 504). The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) increased by 32%. STAR is the only route to experience a decrease in ridership, an intended consequence of the SAM Shopper. STAR ridership decreased by 9.7%, from 1172 to 1009.

In November, SAM staff again participated in a statewide work group to evaluate the current method of allocation for federal transit funds distributed to rural agencies (5311). This is an important piece of funding that provides much needed stability in revenue. The work group is expected to continue until April. Sandy staff are also actively involved in the rule making process for the allocation of the new HB 2017 funding. Staff have attended every rule making meeting to date and are working with other Clackamas County providers to ensure equity in funding and a county-wide approach to improved connectivity.

Muna, on behalf of Mt Hood Express (MHX), was awarded her first grant! She successfully obtained funding for new signage and bus shelters in the mountain communities through Clackamas County Tourism. The City has also stepped in to loan a vehicle to the Clackamas County TRP program as they had no wheelchair accessible vehicle and no ability to obtain one quickly. These are just a couple of examples of the great partnership Sandy and Clackamas County have created.

Plans for 2 new bus barns at the Sandy Operations Center continue with construction expected by spring 2018. ODOT visited Sandy Transit in November and staff completed the first draft of the Scope of Work for the updated Transit Master Plan. Staff continue to work on procurement of ITS equipment and hope to complete the vendor selection by the end of December 2017.

Ridership Patterns Since November 2016 Changes

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.