A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
HANSEN
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After steering TriMet through more than a decade of good times and bad, General Manager Fred Hansen is leaving the regional transit agency at the end of June to pursue opportunities in the sustainable planning field.
“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, but I’m very excited about the role transportation options play in building livable communities,” says Hansen, who is leaving after his contract with the agency expires. “TriMet and the Portland area are already recognized as leaders in this field.”
Hansen was appointed general manager in October 1998 and has overseen the opening of three new MAX light-rail lines, an expansion of the agency’s frequent bus service and the launch of the state’s first commuter rail line in Washington County, called Westside Express Service. He also worked to bring the latest technology advances to TriMet, including the ability for riders to find rail and bus schedules on their cell phones.
But the recession is also forcing the agency to cut $27 million from next year’s budget. Options under consideration include a 5-cent fare increase, a 5 percent across-the-board budget cut, salary and hiring freezes and reduction to both bus and rail service.
Hansen will not leave until the agency’s 2010-11 budget is adopted.
Under Hansen’s watch, TriMet also had to deal with public outrage about safety concerns after a series of violent crimes on and around MAX stations in 2008. Hansen says the agency responded by significantly increasing the presence of transit police officers and cracking down on fare evaders, resulting in a 50 percent crime reduction on and around light-rail stations last year.
Uncompleted projects include the planned MAX line from downtown Milwaukie and the possibility of extending light rail to Vancouver, Wash., as part of the Columbia River Crossing project. But for that to happen, Hansen says the region needs to reach agreement on the scope and cost of the project.
“Congress is telling us we have to get our act together (to qualify for federal funding),” Hansen says.
The board is expected launch a national search for Hansen’s replacement using a professional consultant.
I worked with Mr. Hansen for about 14 months. He was the most useless, incompetent, & clueless individual I have ever encountered in my 25 years of public service.
Don't let the door hit you Fred...
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 08:06 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bwq_SZJsUM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlJPP1xaytY
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:35 PM
So Fred is resposible for WES! Has anybody noticed that at Wilsonville, all that is to be seen is a vast vacant parking lot and a row of porta potties?
So Fred is proud of his Pottyville Choo Choo while the rest of us face paying more for less service?
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 09:38 PM
"bus system expansion"
This is an inaccurate sub-headline. Mr. Hansen did create "Frequent Service" - but Mr. Hansen not only dismantled the entire Frequent Service system he built, but cut further bus routes, bus trips, weekend/holiday service - there is less bus service today than there was in 1998.
While a small portion of this can be attributable to replacing bus service with MAX - TriMet frequently stated it was not reducing bus service, but "shifting hours of service" to add service to nearby bus routes. For example, when the 5-Interstate line was cancelled (replaced by the Yellow Line), nearby routes like the 4-Fessenden and 6-M.L.K. were to receive additional trips.
Mr. Hansen cut all of that; and then more.
"I’m very excited about the role transportation options play in building livable communities"
Mr. Hansen, are you excited about the role the LACK of transportation options play in building livable communities? The importance that residents place on TriMet, and your own lack of improving the bus system by ensuring that each TriMet rider is (and this is using a quote of your own) "safe, secure, and comfortable" getting to or riding a TriMet bus? What about those folks who live where the bus stop is located in the middle of a street intersection, where the streets have a drainage ditch but no shoulder or sidewalk to safely wait for the bus? You can cite that "TriMet doesn't maintain the roads" but TriMet goes out of its way to build sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements for MAX and WES stations - TriMet has an equal responsibility to bus riders as well (we all pay the same fare, we all deserve the same service).
"He also worked to bring the latest technology advances to TriMet"
Except that none of those advancements made its way to the bus system. Hybrid buses? Mr. Hansen shunned them despite their popularity in Seattle and New York City. Fare payments? TriMet's fareboxes on buses date from the 1980s while virtually all other systems use advanced stored card systems and credit/debit card systems - ON THE BUS. We just started using buses with Automatic Stop Announcements within the last two years; yet the technology was in use in little Salem, Oregon about a decade ago. And Transit Tracker? What about riders who don't have cell phones or computers? Many bus riders simply don't have access to that technology, and TriMet does nothing to help bus riders (in fact, TriMet has embarked on a campaign to REMOVE posted bus schedules from bus stops, and is now making it harder to obtain printed schedules - at the same time, reducing bus service, making new schedules even more important to have available.)
(email verified)
Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 12:57 PM
We consistently have one of the best public transportation systems in the county. People notice when they visit here. I’ve seen this many times. I think many people here know that as well, although some take it for granted. Mr. Hansen must be responsible for steering the ship well for all these years. We wish him all the best on his future endeavors.
(email verified)
Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Hmmmm... Let me see if I can summarize this.
Fred couldn't "sustain" safe transportation.
Fred couldn't "sustain" bus routes.
Fred couldn't "sustain" his company without massive tax assistance from local citizens.
Fred couldn't "sustain" his company without massive tax assistance from local business taxes.
Fred couldn't "sustain" his company without massive tax assistance from the federal government.
Fred couldn't "sustain" his company without massive public criticism.
Now even the feds (who get money for free) are telling TriMet to get it together, so Mr. "Sustainability" runs away to the private sector to do what??? Jump into the "sustainability" business.
(email verified)
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 05:25 PM
When Fred Hanson took over, I had noticed decrease in good customer service, increase of buses breaking down and tranferring to another bus, useless technology, then are poorly maintain. Fancy decorated bus shelters that are vandalized. There are more but I am sure some else can add them too.
Good bye, Fred Hanson. Don't let the door hit you. I will hold the door for you.
(email verified)
Sun, Mar 21, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Funny how posters try to blame the complex challenges US transit systems face on one man.
Such lack of information is dangerous in a democracy. I guess this is what happens when we disinvest in edu-ma-cation.
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 09:55 AM
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Re: Hansen leaving TriMet after 11 years at helm
"Every great institution is the lengthened shadow of a single man. His character determines the character of his organization."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fare thee well Fred. It was my pleasure to work with you for many years.
"Doug Stanley"
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 17, 2010 at 07:19 PM