UPDATE: During its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, the Salem Area Mass Transit District’s board of directors voted to spend millions on systemwide communication and tracking technology, a lift for maintaining buses and a contract for conducting community surveys.
Each decision was unanimously approved.
After a presentation and discussion, the board approved a project of up to $2.9 million for an Intelligent Transportation System through Avail Technologies, which would continue the system’s use of communication and bus tracking technology and allow for future upgrades.
Cherriots first started using the system in 2019, which tracks buses and organizes dispatch automatically with a computer for the district’s 78 local and regional buses.
Tom Dietz, chief operations officer, answered the board’s questions about specific costs, the selection of Avail and implementing the technology if the system were to buy more buses. Dietz said there were challenges and delays in implementing the system, especially because it rolled out during the pandemic.
“As it turns out today, we have significant gaps in our system that should be covered by an (Intelligent Transportation System),” he said. The new system would allow for upgrades to make maintenance more proactive and track vehicle performance data, and better real-time communication about routes with customers.
Cherriots hopes to get the upgrade running within the year, Dietz said. After its implementation, the plan is that customers will be able to track the location of their bus through the Umo app.
Board members also approved a $149,987 contract with RDI Equipment to buy a vehicle lift so maintenance can clean underneath buses, to replace the current lift which has rusted to the point of being unusable, according to a memo from Gregg Thompson, maintenance manager.
The board also approved a $723,805 contract with ETC Institute to do employee and community surveys about the district’s value and quality, which chief communications officer Patricia Feeny said would bring cost savings through streamlining the process of turning feedback into new projects.
The board also heard information about the TransDash webpage, which shows progress on the system’s strategic goals of community value, customer satisfaction, employee engagement and financial sustainability.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Salem Area Mass Transit District’s board of directors meets Thursday, Aug. 24, to discuss a contract for bus tracking technology and to consider a new lift to clean underneath buses.
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be in person at the Senator Hearing Room at Courthouse Square, 555 Court St. N.E. The public is invited to comment in person during the meeting, over Zoom, or written submitted via email or mail. Comments are limited to three minutes, and can be about anything relating to the board.
Written public comments are accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday to [email protected], or by mail to Attn: Cherriots Board, 555 Court St. N.E., Suite 5230, Salem, OR 97301.
The meeting will be live streamed by Capital Community Media.
READ IT: AGENDA
A technology upgrade
The board will consider approval of a $2.9 million project for an Intelligent Transportation System through Avail Technologies, which would continue the system’s use of communication and bus tracking technology and allow for future upgrades.
Cherriots first started using the system in 2019, which tracks buses and organizes dispatch automatically with a computer for the district’s 78 local and regional buses.
The contract would renew the system, and allow for upgrades to make maintenance more proactive and track vehicle performance data. The upgrades would also allow for better real-time communication with customers about operations, according to a memo from Tom Dietz, chief operations manager and David Trimble, deputy general manager.
$1 million of the total cost would be for onboard equipment, with the rest of the costs coming from operations costs such as integration, testing and training.
Funding would come from the capital projects budget, with operations budgeted annually.
A lift for cleaning underneath buses
The board will consider a $149,987 contract with RDI Equipment to buy a vehicle lift so maintenance can clean underneath buses.
The current vehicle lift has rusted to the point of being unsafe and unusable, according to a memo from Gregg Thompson, maintenance manager.
The replacement lift would not require additional construction, and would be made from rust-resistant stainless steel, according to the memo. Of three bids that Cherriots received, RDI Equipment was the lowest cost while meeting specifications. Funding would come from the transit agency’s capital projects budget.
Contract for community surveys
The board will also consider a $723,805 contract with ETC Institute to do employee and community surveys about the district’s value and quality.
The surveys would help Cherriots see areas of potential improvement, according to a memo from chief communications officer Patricia Feeny.
Cherriots would help design surveys in person and over the phone in both English and Spanish, the first being an annual customer satisfaction and community value survey in October followed by an annual employee engagement survey in April 2024.
Other surveys conducted as needed may consider commuter attitude and awareness, on-board rider surveys and youth rider surveys, according to the memo.
The contract would be $723,805 at most, enough to cover the first three years and an optional four years after that. The first three years are estimated to cost $320,835 from the district’s general fund.
Progress reports
The board will also hear updates about progress toward its community engagement, financial and growth goals in the past year.
Highlights include the activation of a new division to develop community programs, including bike sharing and infrastructure investments.
The board will also look at the annual report from the Cherriots Commuter Options Program, which seeks to improve awareness and access to transportation, according to a memo. Future priorities include expanding safety education and outreach and incorporating bikes, electric scooters and skateboards.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
