TriMet, the operator of mass transit in the Portland region, is committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming and equitable transit system for everyone. This month’s Urban Design Panel will explore how TriMet’s Transit Equity, Inclusion & Community Affairs team is engaging with the community to reimagine a better transit system that is fair and free of bias, while addressing the needs of its riders and employees to feel safe.
In November 2020, the TriMet Board of Directors unanimously approved the Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee’s recommendations. The approval spearheaded the transit agencies efforts to conduct community feedback, partner with other community organizations, and have unified conversations around the future of public safety for transit.
John Gardner and Amparo Agosto will share the key focus areas of this effort; training, technology, system presence, infrastructure, and communication. The panel will summarize the challenges and opportunities to attain an equitable transportation system, reflect upon community dialogue, and highlight potential partnerships to assist in areas of investment. Come learn how this public safety & security initiative envisions a more equitable transit system, while also supporting related agency efforts such as ridership recovery, regional sustainability/climate goals, and community-centered transit-oriented development.
Presenters:
John Gardner (he/him)
TriMet – Director of Equity, Inclusion, & Community Affairs
Transit Equity, Inclusion & Community Affairs
John Gardner is the Director of Transit Equity, Inclusion and Community Affairs for TriMet. TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail service in the Portland, Oregon, region. TriMet provides transportation options and connects people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making the region a better place to live.
During his time as the Department Director and by working with staff from across the organization John has doubled TriMet’s staffing and program efforts in support of equity, access, and community engagement. Over the last 6 years TriMet’s Department of Transit Equity, Inclusion, and Community Affairs has launched a highly successful Reduced Fare Program which registered over 42,000 participants, strengthened the agencies Civil Rights program making it one of most sensitive in the nation, decriminalized fare enforcement, supported the agency’s effort to secure the largest award to a minority owned Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in the state of Oregon’s History, worked with the community to Reimagine Public Safety, and recently launched a summer pilot effort to make transit free for 30,000 low income and transit dependent high school students across the three county service district.
Over the course of his 20 years of managing programs, teams and initiatives Mr. Gardner has implemented and overseen a vast array of equity and inclusion, economic development, community engagement, and education and training programs for organizations like the Youth Employment Institute, The Urban League of Portland, the Boys and Girls Aid Society of Oregon, Schools Uniting Neighborhoods, the Workforce Development Board for Multnomah and Washington Counties and now TriMet. He has certifications in Project Management, Meeting Facilitation, and Conflict Resolution and earned his B.A. in Education at Concordia University in Portland.
John has two amazing teenagers, and when he’s not with his family, he enjoys local music with friends, competitive sports and the outdoors.
Amparo Agosto (she/her)
TriMet- Coordinator Senior, Community Engagement Programs
Transit Equity, Inclusion & Community Affairs
Amparo has called the Portland area home for the last 28 years. Originally, from Oaxaca Mexico, she immigrated at a young age to Oregon and has lived in different neighborhoods throughout the Multnomah/Washington County area.
A native Spanish communicator by trade, she has worked as a community engagement/liaison in the transportation field for the past 15 years, initially in the non-profit sector, and currently in her role as Senior Engagement Coordinator at TriMet.
Witnessing firsthand how the appropriate information can brake barriers for immigrants and Limited English Proficient communities is what led her to pursue a career in community engagement, working to raise awareness of issues that disproportionately impact families of color, who are typically excluded from public processes.