Your TriMet & Portland Public Transportation News Blog

My wife works in Beaverton, she normally uses a two bike system so she doesn’t have to hassle with bringing a bike on the Max. But unfortunately yesterday this wasn’t the case.

Blue line 185th Stop:
She was about to board, when she saw that Trimet ticket checkers were not letting cyclists board unless there was an empty hanger for their bike. Train after train they were kicking people off from previous stops, a group of 20-30 cyclists standing confused gathered. One was quoted “I guess I will ride to Portland…” My wife said one cyclist challenged them verbally and was given another ticket. His defense was that he was not blocking any one from moving in the cabin, and as he (and I) understood Trimet’s rules, this was allowed. No tolerance, bike on hanger or bike off train.

Here is my wife’s comment about the situation, taken from BikePortland comments:

Great work Trimet. You have ignored bike capacity issues, and now you are trying to force them off the train. Bravo.

*Update - Jonathan Maus from BikePortland.org pointed out that this is not a new issue:

http://bikeportland.org/2007/04/20/trimets-bike-policy-differs-from-actual-enforcement/

What makes me even more upset, is this line:

“we have clarified this point with our inspectors and expect no further issues in this regard.”

Here we are a little over a year later, same issue my friend.

**UPDATE2 -

BikePortland has contacted TriMet and has received a response, read here:
http://bikeportland.org/2008/06/27/trimet-security-still-saying-no-hook-no-ride/

 ***Update 3 -

BikePortland has another follow up based on another response from TriMet.

-Brewcaster

We’ve all seen it before, either on the bus or MAX: the ‘inbetweener’

Couple of thoughts ran through my mind when I saw this:

• Why does this person think they should be able to occupy two seats?
• If you’re riding public transportation, you really shouldn’t be afraid of accidentally touching other people

Unfortunately, the ‘inbetweener’ happens on a daily basis. What can be done to combat this practice? Unfortunately, not much…

Edit - several comments have been made pointing out that this instance of an inbetweener seater is actually warranted.  Perhaps this image was a bad example.  On this particular instance, the MAX was pretty packed with everyone crowding near the door.  I fortunately had made it through there and positioned myself in the middle of the train.

The point I’m trying to make is - in MANY circumstances, this is a little problem.  This instance, however, as you all have pointed out, was probably an OK time to go about taking up two seats due to the passengers sitting next to the individual.

Thanks to those commenting; love the added perspective.

I’ve already hit on how some people feel the need to put their feet on the seat on both the MAX & bus.  Well, this ‘riding etiquette rule’ now does not only apply to humans:

There are a couple of things wrong here:

1. Only guide dogs / service animals are allowed on the MAX or bus out of their kennel (the only exception being the Doggie Dash Day)
2. Your dog / cat / other pet needs to be kenneled when taking the TriMet MAX or bus
3. The dog’s feet shouldn’t be on the seat

I saw another person  get on the MAX last night with a non-service dog.  I mean, let’s read the rules people…

Read this very entertaining post over at Portland Octopus that gives ten tips about how to ride public transportation in Portland. I found tip #9 to be particularly noteworthy:

“9. Your purse/backpack/grocery bag is not a person and therefore is not entitled to sit next to you. Ways to tell if you’re sitting next to a person or inanimate object: Does it have legs and arms, a head or feet? (Person.) Is there a Jansport label sewn on it? (Not a person.) Is it talking? (Person.) Are you sure? (See No. 10.)”

Nice list!

You know the Westside Express Service?  The WES?  If you were just thinking, “I’ve known the plans, seen the construction… where are the trains?!” - here you go.  The first WES train has arrived and it’s a real beaut!  The seats look comfy!

Sidenote: KGW - do I really need to register on your site in order to participate in a poll?

That’s right!  TriMetiquette is looking for any graphic designer or artsy-fartsy individual who wants to try to tackle a new TriMetiquette logo.  To put it simply, I was contacted by TriMet and was asked to not use their logo.  And seeing as how I’m Photoshop-impaired (though, I will say I am awesome at making obviously photoshopped-looking images), I’m asking for help.

So!  I’m looking for a new logo.  Really, no real requirements except for it can’t really exceed 50 pixels heigh.  Wide-wise, it can be a wide one (maybe 400 - 500 pixels?).  I’m open for anything!

If you’d like to help me out, please contact me at trimetiquette@gmail.com.  Appreciate the help!

Even after it was found that Austin Miller ran a red light on his bike through the intersection of Southwest Murray Blvd & Farmington Rd and collided with a TriMet bus, ending his life; Miller’s Mom is now suing Trimet for two million dollars.  From OregonLive:

“The suit seeks $1 million in actual damages and $1 million for Austin Miller’s pain and suffering and his parents’ loss of companionship.”

The lawsuit claims that the TriMet driver was “negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout for bicycle traffic.”  Again, the police report back in April found that the TriMet bus driver could not do anything to avoid the collision.

I do understand that losing a child has to be one of, if not the most heartbreaking feeling for any parent.  It really was a tragic mishap.

But suing after it was found that the bus driver couldn’t do anything to avoid the situation along with the circumstance that the victim proceeded through a red light?

I’m sorry, that’s a little selfish.

Does someone’s guardian have the right to sue TriMet if they ran a car through a red light and died from a resulting crash?  Sure, they have the right to do anything… but is it a little absurd?  Perhaps just a little.

I don’t understand the logic here.  Is it just me?

Hey cool - just got word that TriMet has a new survey out for Southeast Portland bus riders. The info that’s collected will be used for future improvements to SE PDX bus lines.

There’s also a survey out specifically for bus line 10 riders.  Again, info collected will be considered for future improvements for that bus line.

I was sent a request from TriMetiquette reader Christine to map out a route about how to get from Janzen Beach to a specific address listed in the Fisher’s Landing area in Vancouver, WA.  Here’s the info:

First, you want to take the #41 - Camas / Washougal Limited from Delta Park to the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.  From there, you can either take the #30 - Burton or the #37 - Highway 99 & Mill Plain bus lines to near your ending address.  Unfortunately, for the address you specifically mentioned, no route takes you right there.  However, if you just get off the stop by the Fred Meyer / Burgerville right there on 162nd, you’ll have a short walk to your ending destination.

That help?  Hope it does!

All Portlanders have probably heard about the recent attacks on MAX trains. In all of the recent instances, there was never a true ‘motive’ for those victims to be attacked; they were at the wrong place at, unfortunately, the wrong time.

With these attacks happening recently, you’re probably asking yourself, “Well, if I ride the MAX, how can I go about making sure I’m safe?” Here are some tips you can use to make sure you’re riding with no fear:

1. Ride with a buddy.  I typically ride during work “rush hours” but I know if my fiancee ever wants to ride later at night, I’ll always accompany her.
2. Know where the ‘contact the operator’ intercoms are.  If you feel like something fishy is going on, it’s best to contact the operator so that individual can contact transit police instead of confronting it yourself.
3. If you have a purse, make sure you have it secured in your lap around an arm.  Don’t just place it on your lap; loop it around your forearm a bit to make sure it can’t be easily swiped.
4. Don’t listen to music when riding late at night.  This can make you more aware of any situations.  Of course, listen to it if you feel you’re in a seat where you’re able to survey all around you; if you’re not in this position, however, listening to music could make you an unsuspecting victim.
5. Pick the best seat. If you’re feeling unnerved, don’t sit down where your back is to the rest of the train; choose a seat where you’re able to look around.

Those are some tips that can help you be more aware & safe when riding the MAX.  Anyone else have any tips they’d like to share?