Portland Transit Lane Podcast

This week's interview is with Joe Kunzler, a transit activist from the Seattle area. He gives his views on the problems TriMet is facing, driver assaults, and if they are having the same problems up there.

TriMet held their monthly board meeting, but only two members were present? Did they have a meeting? Listen in as Roberts Rules of Order are explained, along with Chapter 2 of the TriMet Code called "Board Meeting Rules".

The monthly board meeting was a wild one, as Neil McFarlane was actually held accountable for something this time! Listen in! Also, we talk about the upcoming Rose Quarter MAX work that will delay your trip up to 2 hours.

We dive into the Max delays so far this year and find some trends that you may not have been aware of. We also cover the electric buses joining the fleet in 2018, along with a special feature. WARNING: The special feature does get colorful, so you may want to wear headphones or be by yourself when you listen to this one.

This week, TriMet revealed that they are thinking about lowering the fine for riding without fare. Will TriMet ever report the money they make from fare violations? Does TriMet have the worst stop in America? Also, the grandfather of TriMet blogging joins us, Dan Christensen.

This week, we look at a few specific events that happened in the world of Transit in Portland. Did TriMet really need to stop their service for a full minute? Did Portland Bureau of Transportation miss something by shutting down the lower deck of the Steel bridge twice in 24 hours? We explore this and more on this week's episode.

As you spend massive amounts for fireworks to celebrate our nation's independence, let us look at how much TriMet spends and where the money goes.

The first Portland Transit Lane Podcast features a new segment: The Sock Puppet Story Time! Grab your favorite blanket and a stuffed animal while we review the monthly board meeting. You'll save about 2 1/2 hours by listening here first. Also, we take another look at operator assaults. As you're listening, think about this question. "You're the operator in the seat and someone doesn't have enough money to ride. What would you do?" Now, flip it around; you're the passenger. How would you want the driver treating you?" I interview retired bus driver Al Margulies about this issue. His remarks will make you think.

After last week's fiasco with driver safety and having massive egg on Harry Saporta's face, the TriMet propaganda machine has seemed to have taken a week off. We all need a vacation once in a while. We dive into safety once again, the role Tigard citizens have in the next light rail, and the bribes TriMet has to use to get pictures of their riders.

Between emergency call boxes on MAX not working, and bus operators getting assaulted (25 total at publishing time), where is the $10.7 million TriMet is spending on Transit Police really going?

Between stolen buses, new bus lines, and spider webbed streetcar windows due to BB pellets, it was quite a week in TriMet Land. We also look at the Rose Quarter enhancement in August, along with the last time a Board Member said NO to a resolution.

Welcome to this podcast! Every Saturday, we will release new episodes recapping TriMet events from the week and what is to come.