Editorial

Time for action on MAX safety

The Clackamas Review, Dec 19, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

TriMet has recently been taking a beating for security issues along its MAX lines. The timing is bad for the agency, which is constructing a new line in Clackamas County and seeking to expand into Milwaukie.

While the coverage has been unrelenting, it has been warranted. There is a perception, fueled largely by the transit agency’s past actions, that its leadership generally likes to talk about safety issues just long enough for an issue to blow over. The result: a lot of discussions over the years, but no real action, and a transit system growing more dangerous.

But these issues are real, and Milwaukie City Councilors and members of the city’s Light Rail Security Task Force witnessed some of them first hand. The task force took a bus ride along the Yellow Line in October. Each member was given a ticket before hand to validate for a ride back along the MAX. The ticket machine was, as usual, broken.

Last week, Milwaukie City Council took a similar tour. Same result at two ticket validation machines at two stations.

There is overwhelming consensus that to improve safety, TriMet must do a better job of enforcing ticket purchases. Before that can happen, the agency needs to ensure riders can get a ticket.

Closing fareless square not the answer

TriMet general manager Fred Hansen told a recent gathering of the Portland City Club that the agency would consider limiting fareless square in downtown Portland. The agency suggested the same thing after safety concerns arose before.

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