Tram Rider Totals In February Far Exceeded Expectations

03/23/07   Portland, Ore

A total of 125,158 people rode the Portland Aerial Tram in February, nearly twice the 66,000 one-way riders expected based on preliminary projections.

A total of 125,158 people rode the Portland Aerial Tram in February, nearly twice the 66,000 one-way riders expected based on preliminary projections.

Total fare revenues in February also were higher than expected at $32,736 vs. projected revenues of $29,640. Eight percent of all riders during the month paid at the fare box, which was less than projected primarily because the tram was free to all on Friday evenings and Saturdays throughout the month. The $4 charge at the tram fare boxes at the South Waterfront tram terminal is for a roundtrip ride.

OHSU employees, students, patients, patient families and other OHSU-subsidized riders accounted for 92 percent of the riders in February.

Tram operations were temporarily suspended due to winds on three separate occasions in February, once on Feb. 15 for one minute, and twice on Feb. 27 - the first time that day for five minutes and the second time for five hours and 49 minutes.

"The tram can operate safely in sustained winds well above 50 mph," said Bill Botieff, OHSU tram administrator. "When service is interrupted because of wind, it's usually for the comfort of riders, not for safety reasons."

The average number of daily one-way riders on the tram since the facility began operating in mid-December when only OHSU personnel could ride it is 5,689 compared with the average of 3,080 daily one-way riders anticipated in the first year.

For more information about the tram, go to www.portlandtram.org