In Transit November/December 2010

A Newsletter for Transit Employees

From the desk of the General Manager Preparation paid off After nearly two years of hard work, we We learned got the opportunity to test our new snow from our plan in the days before Thanksgiving. experiences with snow and We learned some hard lessons about ice in the winter extreme winter weather two years ago. of 2008-2009. Those experiences led us to create and improve our plan for responding to a major snow event, including how we communicate with our customers.

We’ve been hearing that this year’s strong La Niña weather pattern would mean Getting ready for snow a colder, wetter winter in the Pacific orecasters have predicted a cold, wet winter for the Pacific Northwest, and Northwest. Over the past six months we put a major focus on getting ready for Fwe’ve already seen snow and below-freezing temperatures in King County. the possibility of a rough winter. I’d like to Fortunately, we’ve been working hard to make sure we are ready—both to keep thank every one of you who contributed providing service and to keep our customers informed. to these efforts. For more information about our preparations, see the main We updated the snow operations and customer communications plan we story on this page. developed in 2009. The plan defines snow routing for each bus route as well as a system for determining whether a route is following its regular or snow route. On Monday, Nov. 22, a winter storm The plan also identifies an emergency service network of core service that Metro, rolled in, dumping snow on our streets in partnership with local jurisdictions, will establish and maintain along main and freezing it to ice that stayed around for three days. As I write this, we’re still corridors if the weather causes major system-wide disruptions. analyzing what went well and where This year we’re also asking our customers to become part of our preparedness we still have room for improvement. But overall, I’m proud to say that our team by finding out in advance what they should know to make riding Metro preparations paid off. We were ready, easier during adverse weather. and it showed. The Marketing and Service Information In this issue I want to give special thanks to all the Group has updated the snow guide Executive tours control center...... 2 bus operators who worked through that explains our snow alert system Short shots ...... 3 extremely difficult conditions on the and emergency service network, and night the storm hit. Many of you spent also provides tips for traveling in snow. Regional Transit Task Force...... 4 long hours trapped in stuck coaches or They’ve also redesigned the Alerts RapidRide A Line launch ...... 5 Continued on page 2 Center web page, where customers can Kudos ...... 6 check our service status, learn about any route disruptions, and sign up for e-mail Performance corner ...... 7 Transit Alerts. On the move ...... 8 Continued on page 5 Continued from page 1 General Manager Constantine shadows unmoving traffic, yet we received more than 250 commendations for operators two communications from customers during the week of the storm. Your professionalism is a credit to coordinators this agency.

Winter storms aren’t the only contingency ing County Executive Dow Constantine got a taste of what it’s like to work we’ve had to plan for. Our plans to Kin the Transit Control Center on Oct. 26. As part of his Walk in the Shoes respond to Green River flooding were of a County Employee program, Constantine chose two service communications not needed last year, but we’ve taken coordinators, Frank Lowe and Mark Foss, from 110 applicants offering him a another look and improved them in case three-hour tour of their jobs. we do need them this year. And we were also ready to address the effects of a After being introduced to staff members, pandemic flu. Although it didn’t come, Constantine donned a headset and those preparations are still in place today. plugged in with Lowe on Channel 1 to On another front, we’ve just concluded a get a first-hand idea of life in the control substantial effort that means a potential center. During the next 90 minutes, he new beginning for Metro. watched as the coordinators dealt with numerous mechanical problems, a From March through October, the medical emergency, a falsely tripped 29-member Regional Transit Task Force— appointed by the Metropolitan King emergency alarm, and traffic disruptions that affected trolley routes. He also County Council—deliberated on how we Executive Constantine, left, dons a should modify and organize our services made an all-call announcing closure of headset to observe Frank Lowe in and how we should go about making cuts the I-5 express lanes. The coordinators, action. or expansions to our service. The group impressed by his professional-sounding included elected officials, community radio voice, decided to make him an honorary coordinator. leaders, and representatives from business interests. Its recommendations Next, Constantine sat in with Foss on Channel 2, and watched him solve many of have been forwarded to the Council and, the routine challenges faced by control center coordinators on a daily basis. There once adopted, will serve as the basis was a partial blockage on the viaduct and a total blockage on Fourth Avenue S at for major changes to our strategic and S Spokane Street that caused delays and a reroute. Several mechanical problems comprehensive plans and will drive our required the dispatch of service supervisors and vehicle maintenance staff members, budget for 2012-2013 (see page 4). and there were delays due to the First Avenue S/S Dawson Street reroutes required The task force’s recommendations by the Spokane Street closure. reflect a broad-based community effort by a group of sincere, engaged individ– Both Lowe and Foss said that uals. I commend them for this effort, as Constantine appeared to be well as the excellent support provided genuinely interested in their work, throughout by Jim Jacobson, Victor asking smart questions and seeming Obeso, David Hull, and several more to enjoy his time in the control members of our Service Development center. The center got busier as the group. This process will strengthen us morning progressed, leaving little and improve our ability to make the time to explain the intricacies of difficult decisions that lie ahead. its operation, but it did offer the Mark Foss, left, explains his job to the Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to Executive a good idea of the work Executive. the photos on page 7 showing the start that’s done there on a daily basis. of RapidRide A Line service on Oct. 2. We In fact, at one point he said he was “overwhelmed” by how busy it was. anticipate big things from RapidRide, and this is only the beginning. I congratulate He thanked his hosts several times for the opportunity to visit, remarked on the all who were involved in the development “institutional knowledge” necessary to do the job of coordinator, and clearly walked and launch of this important new service. away with a new appreciation for the control center’s role in keeping our buses Kevin Desmond moving. General Manager The coordinators who were present during his visit said they appreciated the Executive taking the time to find out about their work. Page 2 SHORT SHOTS IN TRANSIT News briefs in and around the Transit Division

Other service ■ Facilities security—Ever wonder adjustments who’s in charge of keeping Metro’s included many facilities—and their occupants— significant safe and secure? That would be increases in Facilities Security Coordinator Mark service on routes Norton and Assistant Facilities 265 and 271 as Security Coordinator Gail Israelson, part of the State and they deal with dozens of widely Route 520 Urban varied security issues every day. Partnership This kind of work is nothing new to Agreement, in Norton, who has managed criminal preparation for theft investigations and facility tolling on the security in the private sector and views The new Atlantic/Central operations building is taking SR-520 bridge unpredictability as the spice in a great shape. next spring; increased service on five job. “We’ll go from refining a written ■ Atlantic/Central operations Seattle routes (5, 54, 55, 60, and 75) manual to forwarding updates on a building goes vertical—Structural as a part of a Transit Now financial suspicious package check to attending steel now defines the form and size service partnership with the City of a meeting on of the new Atlantic/Central Base Seattle; the creation of new Route Transit Tunnel access in a matter of operations building. Jim Carlson, 910 as part of a Transit Now financial minutes,” he said. resident engineer, and John Whitney, service partnership with the City of construction manager (Design and Auburn; and improvements to service Israelson retired from a career in Construction), are coordinating the on routes in southeast King County the Air Force and then worked for a project—working with the contractor and in the Kirkland-Redmond- local security firm before signing on and interfacing daily with the City of Eastgate corridor that were funded to assist Norton’s predecessor, and Seattle, inspectors, testing agencies, by a state regional mobility grant. brings her own unique skills to the job. engineers, consultants, and Base Schedule efficiencies and trip cuts “Where I’m the strategist, Gail is the Operation staff members. Notable incorporated in the three 2010 service tactician,” Norton said. “She knows progress this fall includes the roofing, changes have eliminated costs equal where everything is, who everyone is, floor decking, and wall siding. The to nearly four percent of Metro’s and how to bring resources to bear on building should meet the LEED annual service hours. a project.” gold standard and is expected to be ready for use next summer. To follow ■ Streetcar ridership jumps construction progress online, visit with opening of new Waterfront www.sierraconst.com/cams/cam10. Park—On Sept. 25, the Seattle Parks html. Foundation celebrated the grand opening of Lake Union Park at the ■ Service change a success—The south end of Lake Union. The South fall service change went smoothly, Lake Union Streetcar added a third including the debut of the new streetcar to provide 10-minute service RapidRide A Line. Staff members frequency for the event. On that day, who served on street teams reported ridership more than doubled over that customers were pleased with regular Saturday ridership. The City Mark Norton and Gail Israelson the frequent (every 10-15 minutes) of Seattle covered the cost of the keep Metro facilities secure. service that replaced Route 174. additional service.

Page 3 Transit Task Force sets new course for Metro

he county’s Regional Transit Task 5. Base the service guidelines on TForce has completed its report a set of principles that includes and recommendations, which are transparency, measurability, expected to lead to important changes flexibility, and integration with the for Metro. regional transportation system. 6. Work with a broad community The County Executive and County coalition to pursue state legislation Council formed the task force last that would create a long-term, spring. It was made up of community more sustainable revenue base for leaders from all parts of the county transit. and many points of view. Metro 7. Revise Metro’s current mission General Manager Kevin Desmond statement and create a vision and representatives of statement. and the Washington Legislature were non-voting members. If adopted by the County Council, all With Metro facing heavy demand for the task force recommendations will transit services at the same time the affect the way we plan and deliver slow economy is causing our funding our services. The recommendation to drop, the task force was asked to to make service allocation decisions develop policy guidance for future on the basis of productivity, social equity, and geographic value is a growth or reduction of the transit The task force laid the groundwork fundamental change from what we system. for future changes to Metro service. do now, which is to add or reduce The county asked the task force service according to set percentages to include five things in its policy ■ Strategies for increasing Metro’s for the east, south, and west subareas framework: efficiency of the county. ■ Criteria for systematically reducing ■ Agreement with, or proposed the transit system if revenues are “The task force did an outstanding changes to, Metro’s vision and not available to sustain it. job, achieving regional consensus mission on tough issues,” Desmond said. ■ Criteria for systematically growing “Their recommendations will help After seven months of studying the the transit system to achieve the us navigate successfully through the Metro system and discussing the vision challenges we’re facing.” issues, the task force agreed that ■ State and federal legislative agenda Metro should do the following: issues to achieve the vision Over the next few months, Metro will incorporate the recommendations into 1. Develop a new set of performance our comprehensive and strategic plans. measures for public reporting in The Regional Transit Committee addition to the many measures we will consider these plans and make already use. its own recommendations to the 2. Control costs and continue County Council, which is expected becoming more efficient, to take final action in June. The final including implementing the outcome will be reflected in Metro’s recommendations of last year’s 2012-2013 budget. performance audit. 3. Emphasize productivity, social equity, and providing value to all geographic areas of the county as In Transit online we make decisions about reducing Current and past issues of In Transit or adding service. are available on the King County Kevin Desmond addresses the 4. Create clear guidelines for service website at www.kingcounty.gov/ group. allocations. InTransit.

Page 4 Celebrating the start of RapidRide

n Friday, Oct. 1, Metro hosted Oa RapidRide preview event for elected officials and representatives of agencies that contributed to making RapidRide a reality. Participants gathered at the Airport Plaza on International Boulevard and S 176th Street, then boarded a new RapidRide bus for a tour of the corridor.

The A Line began revenue service the next day—though all passengers rode free for the first two days.

Some of the many Metro staff members who worked on the project pose with Harold Taniguchi in front of the RapidRide station and bus.

Metro General David Cantey, Manager Kevin Service Desmond and Development, Operator Willie rides the A Middleton, Line tour bus. South Base (A.K.A. “RapidRide Preview event speakers included Man”). King County Executive Dow Constantine, and (left to right) Department of Liz Krenzel, Julia Patterson, King County Transportation Design and councilmember; Linda Kochmar, Director Construction, mayor of Federal Way; Bob Sheckler, Harold and Sheryl mayor of Des Moines; Robert Taniguchi tries Wampler, Holland, Port of Seattle (partly out the free Office of hidden); Pete von Reichbauer, King Wi-Fi on the Information County councilmember; Linda RapidRide bus. Resource Management, check out Gerhke, Federal Transit Authority the lit map and ORCA reader at Region 10; Larry Yok, Highline the RapidRide station. Community College.

Continued from page 1 Metro bases now have snow Getting ready for snow information boards to help them execute the snow plan, as well as To get the word out, we’re putting samples of the snow materials we’ve inserts in Seattle Public Utility bills produced for the public. and affixing stick-on notes to local newspapers. Interior bus signs will Experience—some of it quite offer information as well as Metro’s recent—tells us that, in spite of all web address and phone number. Staff our preparation, there will be times members will hand out snow brochures when we have to adapt to unexpected and talk with customers about adverse circumstances. When that happens, weather service at key transit centers we will, as always, do our best to and park-and-rides. And from Nov. 15 snow preparedness with ads on local keep our buses moving and our through Jan. 31, Metro is promoting television stations. customers feeling safe. Page 5 KUDOSIN TRANSIT

■ Lost cell phones benefit soldiers — Each month, nearly 300 cell phones are left on buses and other Metro property. The Lost and Found Office holds them for 30 days, as required by law. About 46 percent are reclaimed by their owners during that time. The office donates the rest to the Lions Club in Rocklin, Calif., which sells them to Project Keep Our Planet Earth Green (www.ProjectKOPEG.com) for recycling. The club uses the proceeds to buy prepaid calling cards to send Ryerson Base chiefs Sandy Sander, to soldiers overseas. Metro has East Base Operator Michael Grady left, and Kevin Maguire, right, put donated more than 2,500 phones to brought home the winners’ plaque in some grill time at the Transit the combined recycling/charity effort for the Washington State Public Safety barbecue. since 2008, and recently received a Transportation Roadeo’s 40-foot bus operator competition. ■ Operators recognized at Eastside certificate of appreciation from the Lions Club. safety ceremony — As reported in including serpentine paths, offset the last issue, Bellevue Base won If no one streets, backing, and passenger-stop the 2009 Operations Safety Award claims these scenarios. To negotiate the course, with a 44-percent reduction in cell phones, drivers must have intimate knowledge they’ll be accidents. On Sept. 30, the Eastside of their coaches’ dimensions and Campus and Transit Safety hosted recycled— and help maneuverability in tight spaces, plus a barbecue to honor Bellevue Base soldiers call excellent driving skills. operators and employees. The same home. ceremony honored Eastside Campus Transit operators operators Tonya Ellis and Darryl Shay, respective winners of the of the month first- and second-quarter Turner ■ Grady wins 2010 state Awards, for outstanding service to roadeo — The 2010 Washington October 2010 customers who are elderly and/or State Public Transportation Roadeo, Atlantic Base: Paul Tefft have disabilities. And safe driving sponsored by the Washington State Central Base: Frederico Banzuela awards for the second quarter of 2010 Department of Transportation, the Eastside Campus: Kim Hirayama were presented, including a 30-year Washington State Transit Insurance North Base: Ivan Londura award to Anthony Capaci, the 18th Pool, and the Washington State Ryerson Base: Frank Beck Bellevue Base operator to reach the Transit Association, was hosted South Base: Edward Leung three-decade milestone this year. in Spokane in September by the November 2010 Spokane Transit Authority. East Base Atlantic Base: Kumlachew Haile ■ Access sets new record for daily Operator Michael Grady, winner of Central Base: Eloy Gil rides — On Oct. 7, Metro’s paratransit this year’s Metroadeo, brought home Eastside Campus: (declined) service provided trips for 4,740 the 2010 State Champion trophy in North Base: Melvin Nason riders—the highest number of rides the 40-foot coach class competition. Ryerson Base: Tevvis Tillman ever given in a single day by the Competitors maneuvered coaches South Base: Juanita Chambliss program. through 11 different conditions,

Page 6 35-year service Performance corner awards Ridership slightly below last year In Transit congratulates the following employees on he struggling local economy has continued to affect Metro’s ridership in completing 35 years of service T2010. Through September, our transit rider numbers were down 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010: over the same period last year.

Edith Redmond, transit operator, Through September, there were almost three percent fewer jobs throughout King Ryerson Base County than last year, meaning fewer people are commuting to work on transit. Joel Trautmann, transit operator, Also, the January fare increase caused some loss in ridership. And North Base started service in mid-2009, drawing away some Metro bus customers to ride Marilyn Davis, supervisor, Link instead. Central Base James King, machine shop chief, However, a 20-percent increase in local gas prices has partly offset these factors Vehicle Maintenance by helping to make transit a more attractive alternative to driving. Frank King, rail operator, Rail Metro is not the only transit agency seeing ridership losses. The chart below Section shows year-to-year ridership changes so far in 2010 for the 30 large bus agencies David Rochon, transit operator, that we use for peer comparisons. Only five of them saw gains in ridership, North Base while 25 lost riders. Metro did slightly better than the 4.5-percent average drop among all 30 agencies. Vehicle Our ridership Ridership change Jan.-Sept. 2009 to Jan.-Sept. 2010 Maintenance loss has slowed for 30 large bus agencies in the United States in recent months. St. Louis 5.4% employees of the Local employment Boston 3.1% shake-up in summer 2010 New York (MTA Bus Co.) 0.9% was only about Baltimore 0.5% October 2010 one percent below Minneapolis 0.5% Atlantic Base: Rick Tatola 2009. And Link -0.7% Philadelphia Bellevue Base: Shannon Nale -1.2% San Antonio light rail has been -1.7% Central Base: Fiona Frisch New York (MTA NYC Transit) in service a full -1.8% New Jersey Component Supply Center: year now, reducing -2.2% Denver Steve Trott its impact on -3.0% Los Angeles -3.2% East Base: Carolyn Keogh our year-to- King County Metro North Base: Michael Sloane -3.4% San Diego year ridership -3.5% Chicago Ryerson Base: Gene Yamamoto measure. So our -4.1% Pittsburgh South Base: Tyler Levengood recent ridership -4.4% Atlanta decline has been -4.5% AVERAGE -5.1% Cleveland In Transit closer to one -5.6% Milwaukee percent, and -6.2% San Jose we’re hoping that -6.3% Houston an improving -6.4% Portland economy and our -6.9% Miami If you have any questions, comments or story ideas, -7.1% Detroit send them to In Transit, KSC-TR-0824, or contact new RapidRide -8.3% San Francisco Anna Clemenger: 206-263-6482 or service will soon -8.3% Washington D.C. [email protected]. put our ridership -9.8% Dallas Produced by Transportation Office of Communications “back in the black.” -10.2% Oakland Editor: Anna Clemenger -11.4% Orange County Transit Coordination: Bob Simpson -12.3% Phoenix Staff Photographer: Ned Ahrens -13.1% Cincinnati Graphic Design: Jackie Phillips -15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 10153/dot/comm/ac/jp Source: National Transit Database

Page 7 ON THE MOVE Transit Division retirements, promotions/job changes, new hires, and remembrances

Retirements New Hires

Service Development Metro Transit Police Elaine Ducken, transportation planner II (Market Mark Norton, facilities security coordinator — July 28 Development) — December 31; 25 years Power and Facilities Vehicle Maintenance Thomas Pickett, facilities maintenance constructor — Brian Baxter, mechanic — November 2; 15+ years September 1 David Hayward, lead mechanic — November 1; Matt Rawson, building operating engineer — 26+ years September 27 Carolyn Keogh, upholsterer — October 1; 30+ years Lee Salas, building operating engineer — October 18 Ted Smith, metal constructor — November 1; 25+ years Steven Summers, utility laborer — October 10 Bill Stockman, supervisor (Power Distribution) — Promotions and Job Changes October 25 Operations Rail Laurie Carter to acting OSS coordinator from first-line Derrick Bird, rail electro-mechanic — May 3 supervisor (Operations) Randy Bowman, rail service worker — June 12 Harmony Hunter to first-line supervisor from rail Bradley Burgin, rail laborer (term-limited) — August 9 supervisor (Rail Operations) Eugene Cordero, rail electro-mechanic — July 30 Joanie Guillen, rail laborer (term-limited) — August 9 Rail John Humphrey, rail laborer — August 9 Berni Hendrickson to rail facilities custodian lead from Nicholas Keolker, rail maintenance service center custodian I worker — August 23 Hazel Henderson to rail supervisor from rail operator Matana McCormick, rail technical information Annette James to rail supervisor from rail operator processor II (term-limited) — June 16 Brad Kittredge to chief (Signals and Communications) Shawn Rooney, rail service worker — June 12 from acting superintendent (Link Control Center) Jason Smith, rail laborer — August 9 Dennis Maguire to acting rail operations chief from rail Sales and Customer Services supervisor Daniel Mathews to rail operator from bus operator Mark Bilodeau, webmaster (Marketing and Service (Central Base) Information) — October 25 Carl Offenheiser to technician from chief (Signals and Vehicle Maintenance Communication) Keith Sherry to acting rail superintendent (Link Control Viktor Bihar, mechanic — November 15 Center/Communications) from chief (Rail Operations) Rusty Bergerson, mechanic — October 18 Natalie Silberman to rail supervisor from first-line Matthew Chambers, mechanic — October 18 supervisor (Transit Control Center) Kevin Kochman, equipment painter — October 18 V. Tam Swett to chief from budget and finance officer Anthony Villareal, mechanic — October 18 III (Rail Operations) In Our Thoughts David Vestal to rail supervisor from first-line supervisor (Transit Control Center) Chuck Gehrts, former facilities planner (Service Development; retired 1996, 34 years), passed away Sales and Customer Services on August 2 Greg King to functional analyst II (Commute Trip Ross Johnson, mechanic (South Maintenance; 31+ Reduction Services) from project/program manager I years), passed away on September 27 Vehicle Maintenance Randy Stevenson, operator (Ryerson Base) and ATU587 Executive Board officer, passed away on Deb Stenoien to supervisor (Non-revenue Vehicles) October 6 from chief (South VM) — Correction

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