Summer Riding Tips

It’s officially summer in Portland, with temperatures hitting the mid-80s today and expected to climb the next couple of days. Here are some tips for you to remember when riding TriMet during the summer:

• Air conditioning varies from bus to bus and MAX train to train (our WES correspondant Wes Breaksalot reports that the WES trains are quite cool and nice, especially when you’re the only one riding).
• Truth be told, when the temps rise, so does the stinkiness of riders’ body odors. Not really any tips here, except be prepared.
• Best seat on a hot bus? Hit the back and sit in one of those seats that face the aisle; you’ll most likely be the recipient of a couple of drafts from some open windows.
• Best spot on the MAX? Right in the middle of the lower-platform older trains right on top of the pivot point to the side. You’ll be out of the way and most likely won’t get sweated on.

Anyone have any summer riding tips they would like to share?

Lots Of Things Going On In The World Of TriMet…

So, obviously, I haven’t been updating very regularly lately and I apologize. Real world comes before TriMetiquette world and, frankly, while I’ve been very busy in the real world, it’s been a “good” kind of busy. Just busy with work, helping my wife get through grad school (not doing her homework or anything, but just being incredibly supportive) and other little side-projects.But boy has there been a lot going on in the world of TriMet! Many very unfortunate circumstances, budget / line cuts, etc. While this doesn’t really fall under the “riding etiquette” kind of realm, I feel like there should be somewhere that readers might comment. So go ahead and comment here, if you would like, about anything that has happened with TriMet in the last two months or so.

In any case, I’ve been seeing more and more improper riding etiquette on TriMet as of late, which should help springboard this neat little TriMet blog back to life again.The funny thing is that, with this being a blog specifically about “TriMet riding etiquette”, I get a lot of comments that are, well, fairly negative. I just approved one that accused me of being a spoiled little brat of a child.  I get others that tell me that I’m a cranky old man. I’m not that old (yet…) but, with the kind of mentality with TriMrt riders these days, I definitely am feeling more cranky with how disrespectful some people can be.

Anyway, I’ll keep on bearing this verbal assault by those that feel spitting on the ground at and around MAX and bus stations isn’t a big deal (I’m sorry, it’s disgusting and it is a big deal), those that like to light-up at MAX stations when it explicitly says not to (it’s OK that you smoke… but not where you’re not supposed to) and otherwise. No, I don’t feel like I’m “holier than thou” or better than anyone, just because I want to help Portland public transportation riders enjoy their ride more… I want to help people like me who do ride public transportation to enjoy their rides like they should be enjoying them.Here’s to more public transportation riding etiquette in Q2, Q3 and Q4 of 2010!

Riding Etiquette: Help Other Passengers

A couple of mornings ago, I was involved in an incident that included a gal who fell off her wheelchair while on the ramp exiting the bus. It was a rainy, windy morning and it appeared as if her wheelchair wheels got caught in a crack that was right in front of the front of the ramp. Of course, when it happened everyone on the bus kinda looked there… and to my amazement, then everyone sat back into their seats, wondering how long this was going to take.

This kind of response is absolutely ridiculous.

I popped right up, assessed the situation from inside the bus (“OK, the gal is on her side, it looks as if her leg is wedged beneath the ramp…”), saw that the driver and another person who was waiting for the bus were the only two people assisting, and immediately went outside to help. I helped her by holding an umbrella over her so she wouldn’t get wet while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

So ok, enough good for me… now it’s the other riders’ turn.

To think I was the only bus rider who popped up to help is ridiculous. Everyone else was concerned with maintaining their seat position! I even heard grumblings of, “When can we go?” and “”When is the next bus coming? Come on…” I get that this situation was making us a bit later than usual… but come on people!

So good riding etiquette? Help other passengers. Offer help if you see someone who might need it. Who knows – it may even make you feel a little good

Do You Want To Be TriMet’s New General Manager?

With Fred Hansen announcing that he’s going to leave in June, it was kind of funny to see a “General Manager (CEO)” job opening posting on TriMet’s website. Starting salary? You can expect to make right around what Fred made in 2009, which was over $250,000.

Anyway, I’m hoping that with Fred’s vision of light-rail being predominately focused on and developed during his tenure, the next General Manager can focus a bit more on the bus system.

Anyone thinking about applying?

Riding TriMet on St. Patrick’s Day 2010

If you plan on riding TriMet on St. Patrick’s Day, which I would strongly recommend if you plan on boozing it up out there, please note that TriMet services will be on usual schedules for a Wednesday. Remember to carry $2 – $2.30 of cash / change (depending on where you’re going) if you’re planning on using the bus for a two-hour period.

Some riding etiquette for those who are planning on making the most of their St. Patty’s Day:

• If you’re going to blow chunks, please choose an appropriate seat. Your best bet would be to go for a seat towards the front to make use of the driver’s small trash bucket or, if you’re on a bus route that has frequent stops, one near the exit door so you can poke your head out, toss your cookies, and get back to riding in a good manner
• Wearing green will not give you a discount on TriMet
• If you pinch a driver because he / she is not wearing green, you may find yourself chatting with some Transit Police folks
• Irish TriMet Bomb: due to budget cuts, you’ll need to cut the usual 3 / 4 pint of Guinness into 1 / 2 of a pint and only add 1 / 4 of a shot of Baileys and 1 / 4 of a shot of whiskey instead of the usual 1 / 2 shots

Safe travels out there! And if you’re still looking for something to, why don’t you check out PDX Pipeline’s Portland St. Patrick’s Day Party Picks.