Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4715896 Thu, 13 May 2010 16:54:27 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3436702 My pet peeve is that the bus schedules are realigned to their schedules at the wrong places. On the way to downtown in the mornings they will park right outside of where most riders want to go and wait until they are back on schedule. On the way out of town in the evenings they park right after they exit downtown. This makes no sense. On the way in they should realign after downtown since most riders will have exited by then. On the way out of town they should realign right before they enter downtown since that is when most riders board.

Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3436702 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:03:10 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3339863

Forum: Ideas for Solution ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3339863 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:01:27 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3322492
I live in the Tualatin area, so I don't have any problems with MAX - we don't have a MAX! We do finally have WES, though, and having read the posts here, I sympathize with you all and agree that Tri-Met has many serious issues, including the fare machines but also many others.

I use a monthly pass for buses and WES, and although I've never found myself in a fare box conundrum, I would like make the argument that a monthly pass is not really a fair solution, even for people who ride Tri-Met frequently.

Supposing you go to a restaurant, and you order a hamburger and pay $10 at the time of your order. Then five minutes later, a waiter comes out and says, "Sorry, we're having difficulties, and we can't serve you any food today." You ask for your money back, and the waiter says, "No, sorry, just leave."

A restaurant like this would be outrageous and illegal, and would probably be forced to change or shut down within a matter of weeks. Well, Tri-Met monthly passes are a method of paying upfront for a month of Tri-Met service, and I'm sorry to say that Tri-Met is often "not giving you your burger."

How? At least in my area, buses that are supposed to show up either break down or don't show at all, and this is becoming a fairly regular occurrence. Buses also fall way behind schedule, sometimes even when there is no traffic or other excuse for lateness. Service is not distributed fairly or accurately - some areas are so under-served that there isn't even enough room to STAND on the bus, while in other areas buses come so often that they literally start getting in each other's way. Bus stops and transit centers are supposed to be smoke-free, but they aren't, and I think being forced to breathe in second-hand poison is a very serious matter. And, as has been proven by this forum, Tri-Met certainly has many employees who are courteous and respectful, but they also have some that are just plain harassing customers.

I know problems happen, and I don't expect Tri-Met to be 100% perfect, but if you have a month in which you encounter lots of problems like these almost all the time (and unfortunately, the odds are that you will), then you are simply not getting what you paid for. Obviously, Tri-Met is not going to refund any of the money you paid for the pass. This is the reason that I believe the pass "solution" also contains a substantial amount of unfairness to riders.

Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3322492 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:58:04 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3309427     I received notice from the courts to appear on March 11th, at 1:30pm in Room 606, regarding my citation I received on January 3rd, 2009 (the link to this story is on the main page of this website).

         I am planning on bringing the 45+ fares I have purchased before my citation on January 3rd of 2009, and after.
         I am also bringing the pages of machines being reported down, found at TrimetDown.com, as well as the numerous media articles reporting about this problem in the last year, including the email from Doug Stanley, Rail Assistant Manager (also found at TrimetDown.com).
        I have a pay stub from work that states my work address at 4th and Flanders, as well as a statement from my employer stating the time I got off work the day of my citation, proving it near impossible that I was at Pioneer Square, on a bus, and then on the Max as the fare inspector stated in her report.
        I also have pages of my own personal notes dating from the date I received the citation up until now, recording the ten machines along the Yellow line that are regularly not in service.
        I will bring along with me all the comments of support and emails I have received requesting my citation be dismissed.

Forum: Has it happened to you? ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3309427 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:58:33 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3220224
Simply buy ten pack tickets?  Sure!  Go ahead!

Jump off the train at the next stop?  Be our guests!

But if TriMet awards its management with annual passes, it's a sure verification they just don't get it.   

Forum: Has it happened to you? ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3220224 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:58:36 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3219016

Forum: Ideas for Solution ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3219016 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:29:53 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3218997 Forum: Ideas for Solution ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3218997 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:14:42 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3218825
I "use" to ride from the Fairgrounds station in Hillsboro into downtown Portland.  With my job, my travel might vary anywhere from 25% to 80% of the time each month so buying a monthly pass never made sense.  I wanted to be as green as possible so taking the Max  seemed like a good thing all around.   Wow was I wrong.  I would say the machines at the Fairgrounds station were down....probably 50% of the time.  If you added in the times when they wouldn't take debit cards....70%?  It became a like a comedy sketch. 

The frustrating part is for people like me who WANT to pay the fare but after getting off at additional stations...and finding those machines broken too, and adding 45 minutes to your trip, you give up.  After having to explain yourself to TriMet officers over and over...it simply isn't worth the hassle.

The best part of this issue, as you all know, is the conversations with the TriMet officers....  Wow, I got so many different explanations that I started wondering if any of these people actually talked to one another.  The best story I heard was that the software running the machines just doesn't work and hasn't worked since it was installed.  The officer actually told me TriMet knows this but doesn't want to fix it because it would be expensive and embarrassing.  I kind of liked that conversation because I actually felt like the guy was telling me the truth. 

I've also been told to buy ticket books at Albertson's and always keep them on hand.  This of course doesn't work when the validation machines are down as well.  I've also been told that's it not THEIR responsibility but MY responsibility to have a valid ticket...????  That one never made a lot of sense.  In the end, if someone offers a service that needs a ticket, and machines for those tickets....shouldn't they work?

For me this is a bigger issue that just Max.  When something like this is run in such a shoddy manner, it paints a bad light on government itself.  We've all heard the horror stories of government run programs....well....this is a shinning example.  If I ran the Max as a for profit entity....you better believe that every machine would be working.  I want universal health care....but not if its run by a government that can't even keep ticket machines working.  How hard can it be? 

I'm the least conspiratorial person I know but it really makes you wonder what's going on at TriMet.  These issues have been going on for years.  I haven't ridden the Max in almost two years because I finally gave up.  The kicker for me was one night in downtown...I had worked a 12 hour day...it was cold and rainy..and I went to three different stops and six machines trying to find one that worked.  I then got off at Goose Hollow to try and get a ticket...only to find those machines were not working as well.  On the way home a TriMet officer tried to make me out to be the one at fault because I didn't have ticket.  I thought to myself, "here I am, in a suit and tie, cold and soaking wet because I was searching around downtown for a working ticket machine, plus I've added about an hour to my commute from trying to do the right thing....and this guy has the nerve to give me a hard time?" In the end, it just wasn't worth the hassle.

Think about his one.  How many times have you gone to Target, Albertson's, Freddies or another for profit businesses, and found their debit machines/card readers not working?  How many times have you found a soda vending machine out of order?  Not very often.  If they are, they are fixed rather quickly and if that doesn't work a new one is put in right away.  We should hold government to the same standards and they should operate just like any other business.

Forum: Has it happened to you? ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3218825 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:34:59 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3217509 Randy,

Your comments and thoughts are welcome and appreciated. However, simply saying the site is a waste of time is inaccurate. We have been actively pursuing resolution and will NOT stop until reached.

One of my favorite quotes was of a hippy woman that raised over 1 million dollars to reserve a specific plot of land. There were businessmen whom scoffed at her, calling her a "delusional optimist". She responded with, "A delusional optimist changes the world. A realistic pessimist doesn't get much done."

May I ask what you are doing to change your world or this situation?

Lastly, we setup the database to capture the machines which are not working. Comments are best served in our forum. I invite you to do so there.

Thank you,

Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3217509 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:09:40 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3213324

Hi Hadley;

      Just thought you might be interested in this piece of information. A friend of mine who works for Tri-Met called and told me the

following: The mayor of Gresham supposedly queried Tri-Met as to why every ticket machine in his city had yellow lights flashing. I'm sure you know that those are the malfunction lights. In any event they took immediate action by having the TVM technicians disable all those troublesome lamps.

      I had my doubts as to the authenticity of this report so I called another Tri-Met friend who confirmed it.  Hope you can make some waves with this one.

As always;

Anonymous

Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3213324 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:35:41 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3207348      I take the yellow line to work downtown about 4 times a week. I enter/exit the Prescott platform, and enter/exit the Old Town Chinatown platform about 16 times a week, round trip. I rode in the winter snow the last couple of weeks, even took a bus! out to SW during the "Artic Blast". I met pleasant drivers, officials, and security, who were all friendly, informative, and understanding of the delays. Two bus drivers refused my fare, and said it was common for drivers to do that during this weather.
     I have a call log of complaints dating about 4 months back on the 503 238 7433? customer complaint line. I generally call to let them know the machines are down, or if the max is consistently full at a certain time of day. I have been informed by more than one Trimet driver that broken fare machines AND how to handle the tickets that ensue is a touchy grey area for the riders and drivers and fare inspectors. I myself have been told contradicting stories on what to do in these situations (Some say no big deal, others say you need to be prepared in advance). I HAVE been given a ticket for not having fare when the machine was down (about 1 and 1/2 years ago), and didn't look into it to find I could fight it. I was issued a warning in April? of 2008 for not having a ticket, after having the same problem! That is when I started paying attention, and looking at the Trimet Website for more info. I soon discovered what other readers have already reported, that the riders often have to go out of THEIR way to ensure they won't be ticketed for something they wanted to comply with in the first place! I'm sorry, but I have every damn right to purchase my ticket at time of trip, and if it is not feasible for the customer to purchase their fare, then you cannot fault them for that.
     NOTE: I am younger, I am female, and cannot rely on my daddy to buy me the world. I travel alone, early mornings and afternoons. I often find myself the target of predators who assume I am a pushover. I'm not, I'm really a jerk. My first fault is impatience. My second is my temper.
    On Saturday, January 3rd at about 3:12ish, I entered the platform and noticed the #072 machine wasn't accepting bills. I get tips from my coffee shop job, and I had just changed all my quarters to bills. Stupid me, considering how faulty the machines are and how often I have called in to let TRIMET know. There used to be two machines on the east side (the side of the dry-cleaners), but recently they removed one. I crossed to the other side, to find out that THAT machine was STILL down from a week before (I DIDN'T GET THIS MACHINE NUMBER at the time). Not really worried, I mentioned to a customer who walks me to my stop every Saturday, "It's not a big deal. I can call it in, and get a ticket at the Rose Quarter Stop and keep going."
    I enter the max and call the Trimet customer phone #, only to be gently reminded that the phone line is only operational MON thru FRI, 9am thru 5pm, or I that I could drop an email at their website. I mentioned to a Wackenhut TRIMET Security who was riding the train when I entered, that the machines were down, and asked him if it "would it be a big deal if I just bought a ticket at my last stop, instead of exiting the train at the next stop and buying a ticket and waiting another 15 mins?" He was young, and unsure, and told me fareless square ended at rose quarter, and he couldn't ensure I wouldn't be bothered.
    I exited the max yellow line at the rose quarter, north bound, and ran to the machine to purchase my ticket. What do you know? That machine wasn't accepting bills. I didn't get the machine number in my hurry to enter the train, so I could just get the hell home already! I was fed up at that point, frustrated, cold, and wondering why I was now put at the mercy of whichever Fare Inspector I ran into. It was like playing a $115 poker game, with enough cover money, but all I wanted was more time... Normally I wouldn't have been so hasty, but it was a long week, and an even longer work day. I'm really a jerk. My first fault is impatience. My second is my temper.
    I jumped on the train, almost getting caught in the doors that were closing, and walked to the back where I happened to see a Trimet Fare Inspector checking fares. I politely interrupted her at that point, and said "Excuse me, I wasn't able to purchase my fare at the last two stops I was at, and I have money..." I trailed off, because she interrupted me and asked for my identification. After that, she continued to check fares until the next stop. It was not a far max trip away, maybe a minute at the very most, but when you are WALKING on Interstate AVE next to diesel trucks and kids racing their tinny sports cars out of the Rose Quarter hopped up on Extreme Dew Sports Crap, it's not a pleasant jaunt. I've made the walk before when I was unsure of the fare dilemma. I was a bit hesitant to ask any questions about her delaying me (at first she reminded me of an aunt), so I exited the train with her and two other max riders. We all exited the train at the next Yellow line max stop, which is a single platform, and the max pulls up on either side. There are two machines there. It is right near Widmer, the brewing company.
   At this point in my story, I will stop. I will not go into details as to what happened from here, considering I have a court date to fight the $115 ticket I received, and I am in the process of filing a formal complaint against that specific Trimet Inspector (and I will not abuse your ears with my extremely foul language). I may not stoop to being a common thief, but I KNOW my mother would be ashamed for what I said to the Fare Inspector who had once reminded me of an aunt. However, my intentions are to inform the masses of riders and readers that this is still an ongoing problem that really needs a solution, ON BOTH SIDES. My resolution this year is going to have to be "working on my temper, esp. when people provoke me to anger." It doesn't help MY situation to react how I did, however selfish and glass-half-empty it may seem. I'm really a jerk. My first fault is impatience. My second is my temper.
Thank you for having the guts to broach this subject, and taking the heat, whatever comes...

Forum: Has it happened to you? ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3207348 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:18:00 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3165406

Forum: Has it happened to you? ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3165406 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:24:50 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156566 I'm betting that if the same thing had happened a few weeks ago, we'd have gotten that ticket. I'm pretty sure that the pressure from the forums and media are working and Tri-Met is softening just a little.
I guess they're listening after all.

Forum: General Discussion ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3156566 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:11:33 GMT http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3149658 The question has been raised, “does this behavior by Trimet constitute the pursuance of a class action law suit?”

What are your thoughts? Are you legal savvy? Do you know of an attorney willing to answer this question honestly?

Also read my letter to Mr. Hansen, general manager of Trimet.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/swiftreport/vpost?id=3119786

Forum: Class Action Law Suit ]]> http://swiftreport.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3149658 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:38:25 GMT