Commuters experience mixed effects from Trimet’s health plan
By Catcher Kemmerer ‘24
The early-September revelation of an eight-point health plan for Trimet patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a spotty effect upon those most reliant on the public transit service.
Commuters expressed both praise and concerns with the effectiveness of the plan, which took effect immediately Sept. 4.
Details of Trimet’s eight-point plan and some actions with which Trimet pledges to uphold it. Photos by Catcher Kemmerer, captured at Hollywood Transit Center the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 29. Information courtesy of www.trimet.org.
“It really depends on the [vehicle] drivers,” noted Catlin Gabel School (CGS) senior Divine Niyungeko, a frequent recent Trimet patron. “And the people who are on the [vehicle].”
The plan, prominent on the “COVID-19 Updates” section of Trimet’s website, details eight commitments “for safe and strong transit.” Each commitment is coupled with a supplementary video.
First on Trimet’s list: “Listen to the health experts.” This parallels the rhetoric of many establishments throughout the pandemic.
However, though health experts have urged stringent mask-wearing enforcement, Niyungeko added that though “there have been times when I feel like everyone has followed the procedures… there have been times where I feel like drivers didn’t really enforce the rules put in place.”
The tri-county public transit organization promises to “clean frequently and thoroughly,” though many have criticized other institutions for not following through in this respect. Trimet has also recently implemented a higher quantity of sensor-operated machinery to reduce riders’ touch frequency.
The organization lastly pledges to “protect transit’s future,” especially by carefully monitoring resource conservation until demand reaches pre-pandemic averages. Throughout the pandemic, many have been wary of mass transit health risks, and though Trimet has attempted to assuage such wariness, ridership has largely declined.
However, despite Niyungeko’s issues with potentially inconsistent enforcement, she lauded Trimet for comprehensibility and sincerity.
“I think the measures, they put a lot of thought into it,” she remarked. “I think their number one concern is obviously going to be making sure riders are safe.”