TriMet, but that does not necessarily benefit the public. Even
with all of TriMet’s fiscal resources, there have been no plans to
give passenger discounts or incentives for buying bulk passes.
TriMet tends to
invest in rail at
the expense of
bus investments.
Buses serve a very
specific population
– more people of
color, low income
households, and who
live on the fringes
of urban centers.
Most respondents, when asked what changes they would like
to see implemented, suggested that TriMet include free Wi-Fi
and later hours when we asked them what improvements should
be made. Seattle’s “streetcar”, Link Light Rail, runs from 5 AM
to 1 AM, Monday through Saturday, while Portland’s streetcar
only operates from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Investing in longer run times for the Streetcar would reduce
drunk drivers, traffic – especially on weekends – and vehicle
emissions since many people go out to bars or clubs during and
near the weekend.
Failure of ticket vending machines has also been a consistent
thorn on TriMets side and in need of upgrading. MAX riders
often complain about ticket machines breaking down and many
have received citations for fare evasion after failed attempts
at purchasing tickets from the vending machines. Another
significant problem for TriMet is operator fatigue – it’s estimated
that TriMet drivers work as much as 22 hours in a 24 hour period
and there have been 22 reported cases of drivers falling asleep
on at the wheel. With all these unresolved issues still plaguing
TriMet, is it pragmatic to open a whole new line without investing
more resources into solving current complications?
The biggest questions facing the new South Corridor Project
are: Who does this benefit in the long run? Does Portland really
need a new rail line or are we better off upgrading our current
system? Are grand schemes like the South Corridor Project just a
way for TriMet to gain more profit and notoriety, or will there be
a trickle-down effect? Only time will tell.
The Orange line rail extension will cost $1.59
billion dollars and cut down certain bus
services – eliminating routes with duplicate
services like TriMet Bus Line 33-McLaughlin.
it’s estimated that TriMet drivers work as
much as 22 hours in a 24 hour period and there
have been 22 reported cases of drivers falling
asleep at the wheel. With all these unresolved
issues still plaguing TriMet, is it pragmatic to
open a whole new line without investing more
resources into solving current complications?
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