Items of Immediate Interest to Tri-Met Operators
October 10, 2001
Index
American flag channel cards disappearing 3
Air-up your bus 4
“Ask a Mechanic” answer 5
Applying for a job? 6
Calendar 6
Crunch cones, not Cadillacs! 2-3
Customer commendations to share 2
Check out tri-net during Sign-up 6
Fare refreshers 1
Karen Asio, Mini-Run of the Quarter 4
Learn CPR or first aid 5
Old style photo IDs still valid 4
Safety in the bus yard 5
September 2000 vs. 2001 CSI comparisons 2
Uniform update 5-6
September 2000 vs. 2001 CSI comparisons
Sept. 2000
|
Center
|
Merlo
|
Powell
|
Total
| ||||
Operators |
496
|
408
|
357
|
1261
| ||||
Commendations
|
50
|
55
|
42
|
147
| ||||
ADA Comm.
|
6
|
1
|
6
|
13
| ||||
Complaints
|
195
|
134
|
132
|
461
| ||||
Open CSIs
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
| ||||
No Finding
|
4
|
7
|
5
|
16
| ||||
Inconclusive
|
13
|
13
|
8
|
34
| ||||
Multiple
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
10
| ||||
Resolved
|
76
|
86
|
82
|
244
| ||||
Substantiated
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
5
| ||||
Incomplete |
23
|
14
|
13
|
50
| ||||
System
|
74
|
11
|
17
|
102
| ||||
Avg per Operator
|
.39
|
.33
|
.37
|
.37
| ||||
Sept. 2001
|
Center
|
Merlo
|
Powell
|
Total
| |||||
Operators |
477
|
397
|
396
|
1270
| |||||
Commendations
|
127
|
118
|
95
|
340
| |||||
ADA Comm.
|
10
|
8
|
15
|
33
| |||||
Complaints
|
247
|
188
|
163
|
598
| |||||
Open CSIs
|
65
|
21
|
38
|
124
| |||||
No Finding
|
30
|
--
|
5
|
35
| |||||
Inconclusive
|
9
|
5
|
7
|
21
| |||||
Multiple
|
1
|
--
|
3
|
4
| |||||
Resolved
|
80
|
85
|
74
|
239
| |||||
Substantiated
|
1
|
--
|
2
|
3
| |||||
Incomplete
|
14
|
27
|
14
|
55
| |||||
System
|
20
|
11
|
20
|
51
| |||||
Avg per Operator
|
.52
|
.47
|
.41
|
.47
| |||||
Customer commendations to share
Here are a couple customer commendations that couldn’t go unnoticed:
1. Customer’s daughter has a mental disability and lives in a group home on 148th & Sunnyside. She went to CTC and didn’t have a way to get home. She went to board Wayne Case’s bus and he asked where she needed to go. He explained the bus didn’t run that late and asked if there was someone he could call. Wayne used his cell phone to call customer and explained the situation. Then he let the customer talk to her daughter and make arrangements for someone from the home to pick her up. Thank you so much for your help Wayne!
2. Customer was waiting for the #9 bus at 2 am, he thought there would be at least one more bus to Gresham. David White was driving his van and stopped to ask caller, “Are you waiting on the bus?” When caller said yes, David responded, “They aren’t running anymore. How far are you going?” Caller told him to 202nd and David said, “Come on, I’ll give you a ride because you’re waiting for a bus that won’t come.” David explained that he had been driving the last bus from downtown and that it only goes to the Powell Garage. Customer really appreciates David’s assistance in getting him home safely and states he is a true American.
Crunch cones, not Cadillacs!
by Tommy Lewis, Center Operator
I used to love work that required standing up, however since my last career change I don't mind sitting down. That may have been the primary consideration for choosing to be a Line Trainer, but the most intriguing aspect was the challenge that dealt with inches and seconds! I couldn't pass-up the opportunity of safely maneuvering a 35-40 ft. bus, loaded with passengers, through the maze of city traffic while doing my best to stay on a schedule!
My driving career began at Citifare in Reno, NV before coming to Tri-Met, and I received outstanding training from both. It amazes me that people without prior experience operating large vehicles, can be trained to do it successfully and safely. I found participating in the bus roadeo the past nine years, one of the most fun and beneficial opportunities to improve my driving skills.
When asked to write about my impressions of the 2001 Bus Roadeo, I decided to add some general information to encourage new participation. For those that haven’t taken part, perhaps your reluctance has been based on lack of time, inexperience or lack of confidence. Maybe you've read Tri-Met announcements about the winner taking a nice trip to represent Tri-Met in national competition and thought you could never do that. Regardless of your reasons for hesitation, if you decide to participate, I think you’ll find it time very well spent—no matter what the outcome.
Here's some thoughts I hope encourage you to participate in the 2002 Bus Roadeo.
· The event is structured to test your maneuvering skills, the majority of which you’re already doing.
· The course of 10 exercises is carefully laid out by cones placed closely to leave measured clearances.
· The objective is to improve driving skills by maneuvering through the course without touching any cones in just seven minutes. Judges score your performance based on points deducted for each cone touched and overall time taken.
There are several opportunities to practice driving the course prior to the Roadeo. Practice time, the challenge of being judged, plus the added pressure of completing the course in seven minutes, results in improved driving skills! Many times in my nine years of driving, after confidently maneuvering my bus safely through very tight construction clearances, narrow streets and over bridges, I've been very thankful for the precision gained through Bus Roadeo participation.
Other benefits are the premiums participants receive upon completion of the roadeo course, no matter how you did! Over the years I’ve received belt buckles, various pins,
t-shirts and a neat clock/calculator/calendar. Also, the meals furnished to participants and their guests have been outstanding! It seems they keep getting better because of the specials offered each time!
t-shirts and a neat clock/calculator/calendar. Also, the meals furnished to participants and their guests have been outstanding! It seems they keep getting better because of the specials offered each time!
Three 2001 Bus Roadeo impressions I want to mention before closing are:
1. I helped a first year administrative employee practice the course, and she ended up almost scoring higher than I did!
2. The winning participant in the Operator Category scored 499 out of 500!
3. This year’s gift was a multi-purpose Leatherman tool. I used it several times to repair bell cords on low floor buses. I was doubly proud I had one when I learned Leatherman Tool recently donated 500 of them to the relief workers in New York!
I heartily encourage everyone, especially new mini-runners and other Tri-Met employees, to participate in the 2002 Tri-Met Bus Roadeo fun and competition. Come on, crunch away! They’re only cones, not Cadillacs!
American flag channel cards disappearing
One of the ways many of us are trying to heal from the horrendous tragedy that occurred Sept. 11th, is to display the United States flag, our symbol of freedom. At Tri-Met, we too are displaying our patriotism—but we need your cooperation.
Besides supplying American flag lapel pins, placing American flag decals in the windows of buses and trains, and displaying an American flag on the front or back of each bus, Maintenance has been installing bus interior signs of the American flag. However, it’s been reported that these channel cards have been rapidly disappearing from our buses. Would you believe many of them have shown up in employees’ private cars?
Please leave these signs in buses as a reminder to our customers that all of us at Tri-Met want to show our patriotism and unity.
There are many ways to show your individual patriotism. Look at some enterprising ways Americans honor their country, taken from the Oct. 8 People Magazine, to conjure the spirit of the Stars & Stripes.
|
In Florida (right) “It took me two days,” says Renee Linzalone to give horse Captain, Stars & Stripes.
|
Pangor, PA. Wanting to “do something more to show my patriotism,” bartender and Navy veteran Nick DeCesare asked hairdresser wife Cindy to top his buzz cut with Old Glory.
|
by Maria Todd, Security Systems Specialist
The old driver license style retiree and spouse photo IDs are still valid transit passes. Spouses and retirees with these passes are not required to update their photo ID to the new style badge. New badges are only issued to individuals if their original ID is lost or stolen.
Reports are coming in from a large number of retirees and spouses with the old style ID, saying they are being questioned by operators and told that they must get it updated!
Air-up your bus
Maintenance often receives road call requests for no starts relating to low starter air, at layovers when the operator is required to move their bus forward. When their leader leaves the layover zone, if the bus isn’t aired up after moving forward, there won’t be sufficient starter air the next time the bus is started. Road supervisors often come to the rescue with air lines they carry for that purpose. Otherwise, a road call is initiated and the Maintenance mechanic seldom finds a defect other than low starter air.
Remember: Air up your bus after moving forward in the layover zone. A road call costs about $250, and this is a time when we all are interested in reducing costs. Eliminating even a few road calls each month will help.
Karen Asio
by Phyllis Brough, Operations Assistant
Mini-Run of the Quarter July-Sept. Karen’s worked here three years now, and enthusiastically says, “I’ve been on vacation for three years!”
|
After moving to Oregon from Hawaii 27 years ago with her husband and oldest daughter, she worked for other companies lifting about 1,500 pounds a day and earning approximately half of what a Tri-Met operator does. Plus, there was no pension and lousy health benefits. She worked 10-to-12 hour days even when her daughter was sick and needed her. In fact, that was the event that caused her to come to work for Tri-Met. Today, Karen works five hours a day and loves it!
And, Karen’s customers love her! One of her favorite runs (#57) includes a stop where several mentally-challenged adults board her bus. One gentleman in particular constantly lost his wallet containing his bus pass—at one point he went through three passes in 10 days. Karen looked to Goodwill for a solution and found a deal on a fanny pack with a clear front on the outside pocket—perfect for a pass. Soon others from the workshop wanted one, so she found a bunch on the markdown table at Bi-Mart and bought them all. She sewed a clear plastic pocket with a flap to hold passes on the front of each fanny pack. Talk about customer service! Nowadays she’s looking for cute little purses for her honored citizens to carry their tickets or passes.
When asked what could be improved here, Karen thought long and hard finally saying,“Nothing! Whenever I complain someone always gets right back to me. I always get a letter acknowledging yellow card comments.” Example, one driver and some passengers told her about a bad TM stop sign. Karen wrote it up and the sign was changed within a week. Also, she has visited planners several times about problems on her routes and was very impressed with their responses.
What would Karen change? We need a 1-zone monthly pass to be used extensively on the west side for people going from Beaverton to and from Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove. Customers need to be educated so know they don’t need to buy both bus and MAX tickets. Also, she’d like to be able to hand her Spanish-speaking customers a small card showing the fare prices on one side with a zone map on the back. Speaking of educating, Karen found many students didn’t realize Tri-Met has a monthly pass for them for only $16.
Karen fondly remembers Operator Tom Carulli, who passed away in July from a heart attack, waiting for her arrival at Merlo with her granddaughter. Tom always had the premier spot, right next to the front door. Karen got to work in the afternoon and Tom would pull his truck out to let her have the spot. Before Karen went on her run, her daughter would pick up the toddler.
What we have in Karen, is one very happy bus operator!
“Ask a Mechanic” answer
Below is the answer to a question submitted by Powell Operator Rodney Fasching:
Q. Original summary question: When the 2100 rear doors are set for customer operation the doors close at a nice speed. But when the 2200s, and 2300s are set to customer operation the rear doors take three or four seconds to close.
A. The New Flyer buses have a one second delay after the door is sensed to be fully open. When the door is operated by a customer, it opens in about two seconds, pauses for one second after its fully open, then closes in about three seconds, for a total of six seconds. When the operator opens the door, it will probably be open before the passenger gets there. The one second delay is not noticed because it happens while the customer is in the doorway. When the door handle is moved to close by the operator, the door should close within three seconds. Because the customer opens the door after they get to it and there is a one second full-door-open delay, it may seem to take longer to close when set to passenger control. So, the door may seem to take longer to close when operated by the customer.
The 2100s don't have this one-second delay when the doors open. The door will start to close as soon as it senses the it has reached its fully open position, closing with in three seconds.
If any part of the bus operates differently than other buses of the same fleet, please write an Operator’s Report of Defects Card.
Safety in the bus yard
Reminder: Operators are to yield to Maintenance personnel when they are backing buses out of bus bays at all bus garages. Think safety first!
Learn CPR or first aid
When a person is injured or experiences a sudden illness, such as a heart attack or stroke, someone has to do something to help. That someone might be you! Here’s some points the class would cover:
· Recognize that an emergency exists.
· Decide to act. Is it safe for you to get directly involved, or call for help?
· If you’re on duty, whether on the bus or at a layover, call emergency through dispatch as follows: Press Medical Emerg., SEND on your VCH. Typical response time is under 90 seconds.
· Provide care until help arrives.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be given certification for first aid (three years) and CPR (one year). The four-hour refresher courses are for American Red Cross First Aid/CPR card-holders that need to renew their certification.
First Aid/CPR Certification courses available:
Oct. 2, 8 am-4:30 pm (HP-Ankeny/ Sellwood rooms)
Oct. 18, 8 am-4:30 pm (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Nov. 15 - 8 am-4:30 pm (H P-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Dec. 20, 8 am-4:30 pm (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms).
Oct. 18, 8 am-4:30 pm (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Nov. 15 - 8 am-4:30 pm (H P-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Dec. 20, 8 am-4:30 pm (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms).
CPR Refresher courses:
Oct. 9, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Oct. 25, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Nov. 29, 8 am-noon (HP-Hollywood room)
Dec. 11, 8 am-noon (HP- Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Dec. 27, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms).
Oct. 9, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Oct. 25, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Nov. 29, 8 am-noon (HP-Hollywood room)
Dec. 11, 8 am-noon (HP- Ankeny/Sellwood rooms)
Dec. 27, 8 am-noon (HP-Ankeny/Sellwood rooms).
The CPR refresher course is to renew the CPR certification. To register for a class call 962-7590.
Uniform update
Because operators are front-line employees, looking neat and professional is an important component of your job. The following information is a reminder of the uniform requirements, and to add that standard operator shirts must be tucked in at all times when on duty. Please see addition under shirts below. The language is from the Bus Operators' Guide, page 5.
Thank you for your understanding and compliance.
Uniforms and Operator Appearance: Operators are to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and neatness. Hair, mustaches and beards must be neatly trimmed.
Tri-Met supplies a prescribed uniform for operators. Operators shall wear the full uniform while on duty, although jackets may be removed while driving. Authorized apparel, including optional items, must be obtained through Tri-Met’s supplier and must be clean, pressed and in good repair.
Required dress items and optional items are listed below.
Required dress:
aTrousers–Banker’s gray; women may wear skirts* or culottes. From the beginning of daylight savings time until the end of daylight savings time only, men and women may wear shorts, as supplied by the uniform supplier. (Note: Shorts season is over effective with Daylight Savings Time Oct. 28, 2001.)
aShirt–Short or long-sleeved blue, must be buttoned to the second button from the top and must be tucked in when worn, with the exception of maternity wear and blue stripe pullovers.
aBoots/shoes–Polishable solid black, brown, gray or navy blue, with height of heel limited so not to interfere with equipment operation. Polishable black athletic style shoes are acceptable, but no white or multi-color athletic shoes. No open toes, open heels or sandals. If boots are worn, wear pant legs outside of boots.
aSocks–Navy blue or black. Women may wear hosiery: black, navy or skin-tone only.
aBelt–Solid black or brown only–must be worn when loops are provided.
aMaternity wear–Maternity wear may be obtained through normal retail outlets, but must be as close to the same color(s) as regular uniform items and must be approved by your station manager. Reimbursements will be made by submitting expense forms with receipts and scrip attached to the project manager.
Optional dress:
aTurtleneck-(plain white or navy blue) or T-shirt (white) may be worn under long or short-sleeved shirts.
aJacket–Standard blazer*, blue with Tri-Met insignia on breast pocket; or blue Eisenhower jacket with insignia on right shoulder.
aSweater–Blue long sleeved cardigan, command or vest, standard issue.
aTie–Blue, standard issue.
aSuspenders–May be worn instead of a belt. Black, gray or blue only.
aHat/Cap–Blue, authorized issue only.
*Women’s skirt and Standard blazer are no longer part of the uniform issue. However, these items may be worn if previously purchased.
Wear the uniform when reporting for duty and at all times while on duty. Operators who are not in proper uniform are subject to rule violation and may be subject to disciplinary actions. When wearing or obtaining prescribed uniform items is not possible, obtain a Uniform Exemption Card from an assistant station manager or station manager.
Certain seasonal and holiday variations in uniform attire are allowed. Posted guidelines tell which uniform items are acceptable at particular times of the year. An assistant station manager can provide a list of approved uniform items.
Operators may not wear sunglasses during hours of darkness. Jewelry may not interfere with bus operation. Personal lapel pins, buttons, tags, etc. are subject to the approval of an assistant station manager or station manager before being worn in revenue service.
Applying for a job?
HR has received internal applications on obsolete forms so please destroy internal application forms aren’t dated 3/01 in the lower left corner. The most recent internal applications are available from an operations assistant, MMIS clerk or from HR. If you have access to a work computer, you can access and print an application form from tri-net–Tri-Met’s intranet. Click theForms link on the home page, then click Human Resources.
Check out tri-net during Sign-up
In July the agency launched a pilot version of tri-net–the Tri-Met intranet. It launched with five pages and now has more than 1500 pages with links to thousands of PDF and Word documents, including Standard Operating Procedures, agency forms, the Bus Operator’s Guide and more.
Short-term goal: Develop and post information to specific work groups and agency employees as a whole. Long-term goal: Develop applications that allow us use of tri-net for everyday business, like checking leave hours, signing up for runs, filling out forms, etc.
This month a designated computer at each garage will provide operators access to tri-net. During sign-up, two possible computer options will be available for operators to use to surf tri-net. Staff will be on hand to ask operators about what they would like to see on
tri-net. Plan to stop by, check it out and share ideas.
tri-net. Plan to stop by, check it out and share ideas.
Calendar—
Today—Don’t forget to vote for Operator of the Month from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all garages.
Oct. 17–Blood drive at Center from 8:30 am-2 pm. Our goal has increased to 35 pints to aid victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. To meet this goal, we need at least 50 donors. If interested, please contact Emely Dela Rosa, 962-4985, the Benefits voicemail box, 962-7625, or call the American Red Cross at 284-0011.
Oct. 17, 18, 19, 2001–Holiday Sign-up
Oct. 22–Sign-up begins—Takes affect Dec. 2nd.
Operator’s Report: Published bi-weekly by Bus Transportation to provide operators with pertinent job-related information. Access: Tri-Met Global Bulletin Board/Public Folders/Tri-Met Global. Call Cheryl Kelly with suggestions/questions @ 503-962-4913, kellyc@tri-met.org
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