Couldn't TriMet Have Done Some Advertising?

"Maybe it wouldn't have made much difference, but often when I take TriMet somewhere, people remark something to the effect of, "Oh, I didn't know there were buses along there". Examples: direct lines from Lake Oswego to Tualatin (37), Oregon City to Tualatin / Tigard etc (76), a route along Forest Park from Downtown to Sauvie Island (16), and most essentially, an express line from Downtown to Tualatin (96), among others."

"Never have I seen a billboard, sign, or flyer, saying "now offering service to ____". I also rarely see businesses or parks saying you can take such and such bus to get here (although some do). This is just one thing I think about this low ridership and funding situation."

Many transit riders and observers do not realize buses serve several corridors, including direct lines from Lake Oswego to Tualatin (37), Oregon City to Tualatin/Tigard (76), Forest Park to Sauvie Island via Downtown (16), and Downtown to Tualatin express (96). There is an absence of visible promotion such as billboards, signs, or flyers announcing new or existing service. Businesses and parks seldom advertise transit access to their locations. Limited public awareness of service options likely contributes to lower ridership and complicates funding and planning decisions.

Read at Portland Mercury